The BC Hydro Power Smart Sustainable Communities Program supports local governments in reducing energy consumption through several innovative programs. Sustainable Communities provides funding to local governments to hire Community Energy Managers. The staff resources are responsible for identifying and deploying local government levers to support energy efficiency community wide. This program, along with the Power Smart Energy Manager Program for commercial and industrial customers, is also helping to shape a new professional green job. Corporate entities, including local governments, are recognizing the value of investing in energy efficiency at the corporate and community scale, while training programs at universities and colleges are springing up across the lower mainland in response to the demand for skilled workers in this field.
To date, Sustainable Communities has funded over 50 community energy and emissions plans and 18 implementation projects across the province. This program is part of BC Hydro Power Smart’s mandate to lead market transformation toward an energy efficient and conservation minded society.