Today, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Brad Duguid joined an elementary school and an eco-friendly print shop that were celebrating important milestones in reducing their energy consumption and protecting our environment.

At Connaught Public School, the Minister spoke with teachers and 290 kids, part of the 100,000 Ottawa area elementary students learning to conserve energy as part of the innovative Electrical Safety and Conservation Program offered by Hydro Ottawa.

Later, the Lowe-Martin Group received a rebate cheque from Hydro Ottawa through Ontario government’s Electricity Retrofit Incentive Program.  This eco-friendly printing company will save at least 10% in yearly energy costs due to energy efficient retrofits to lighting systems in their facility.

Conservation is a key part of Ontario’s strategy to get off coal by the end of 2014 and an important element of Ontario’s climate change plan.  It is also a cornerstone of the province’s Green Energy Act, which will drive even more aggressive action on conservation and renewables in the province.  Ontario is committed to conserving at least 6,300 MW by 2025 – one of the most aggressive conservation targets in North America.

Conservation will also help consumers manage energy costs – the least expensive energy is the energy we don’t use. The Ontario government and the Ontario Power Authority offer many conservation and renewable energy programs and incentives targeted at residential, commercial and industrial consumers to help manage energy use. Learn more about conservation programs for electricity consumers