Blog Archives

First annual benchmarking report on City facilities

Posted on November 6, 2013 by Bryan Purcell

One of the lesser known provisions of Ontario’s Green Energy Act is a requirement that all public agencies, including cities, publish annual benchmarking reports summarizing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from their buildings. This summer the City of Toronto … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation, Energy efficiency, General | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

From green buildings to green districts

Posted on October 10, 2013 by Bryan Purcell

Last Thursday October 3, I attended the 2013 Green Building Festival organized by Sustainable Buildings Canada. While there were far too many great presentations to summarize here, I’ve picked out a few highlights and themes to share with you. Thinking … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy efficiency, General, High-rise energy efficiency, Renewable energy, Social innovation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Have your say in Ontario’s Long-Term Energy Plan

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Bryan Purcell

The Government of Ontario is in the process of reviewing its Long-Term Energy Plan (LTEP). Given recent events (read: the gas plant debacle) who can blame them for wanting to hit the reset button on the energy file? But the … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy efficiency, General, Renewable energy | Tagged , , Long Term Energy Plan, , , | 1 Comment

Peer Pressure: How a coalition of states convinced the DOE to update its efficiency standards

Posted on August 23, 2013 by Bryan Purcell

On Friday, May 9, 2013, a coalition of 10 U.S. states and the City of New York announced an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to update efficiency standards for walk-in coolers and freezers, metal halide lamps, electric … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy efficiency, General, High-rise energy efficiency, Social innovation | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Inside Canada’s Greenest Workplace

Posted on August 19, 2013 by Bryan Purcell

by Jimmy Lu Bryan and I recently visited one of the world’s most efficient buildings, the Earth Ranger’s Centre (ERC) in Woodbridge, Ontario. Earth Rangers is a kids’ conservation organization that certainly walks the talk of environmental stewardship. In addition … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy efficiency, General, Geothermal, Renewable energy | Tagged Earth Rangers Centre, Earth Tubes, , , LEED, , | Leave a comment