The following are examples of energy policy projects undertaken by the Pembina Institute.

A Model National Renewable Energy Strategy for Canada

The Pembina Institute is currently advocating for the adoption and implementation of a National Renewable Energy Strategy for Canada with our partners in the Canadian Renewable Energy Alliance (CanREA).

In 2005, the Pembina Institute and the other CanREA partners hosted regional workshops and analyzed best practices around the world to develop a renewable energy framework. CanREA's model for a National Renewable Energy Strategy is built on maximizing energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy at both federal and provincial levels.

The Pembina Institute prepared the following background papers for CanREA to support the development of the model strategy:

• "Financing Mechanisms for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency" (background paper)

• "Energy Efficiency — The Cornerstone of a Sustainable Energy Future" (background paper)

A Quick Start Energy Efficiency Strategy for Ontario

In 2006, the Pembina Institute's Sustainable Communities and Environmental Governance Groups teamed up to produce a report for Ontario policy makers that outlined an energy efficiency strategy. The aim was to help the Province move quickly to make up lost ground on efficiency.

Drawing on the experience in the U.S. with successful state-level energy efficiency programs, the report outlines three cross-cutting initiatives and nine specific programs that could be quickly undertaken in Ontario. This quick-start strategy aims at savings in grid-electricity consumption of 23,000 GWh/yr, with an implied reduction in required generating capacity of 4,500 MW by 2012.

• A Quick Start Energy Efficiency Strategy for Ontario (full report)
  

Using Municipal Improvement Charges to Finance Energy Efficiency Improvements and Renewable Energy

In 2005, the Pembina Institute completed a study for the federal government's Office of Energy Efficiency of how local improvement charges (LICs) — a tool already familiar to most municipalities — could be used to finance energy efficiency improvements.

Our team delivered a province-by-province assessment of the legal and financial aspects of using LICs, and provided a "road map" for municipal, provincial and federal governments to pilot the use of LICs as a financing mechanism in Canada.

The following Pembina Institute report is being used by policy makers in several provinces to design pilot projects using the LIC concept and to identify the policy changes needed for its widespread use:

• Using Local Improvement Charges to Finance Energy Efficiency Improvements: Applicability Across Canada (full report)