Construction Law

Alberta’s New Green Initiative Aimed to Encourage Construction Innovation

Good news for contractors in the Alberta construction industry – a new initiative is helping fund new construction technologies, products, and methods to aid in greener, more energy-efficient buildings. The even better news is that the results of this initiative will be publicly available for all to use.

A not-for-profit group called the Smart Sustainable Resilient Infrastructure Association (SSRIA) has acquired $3 million from Western Economic Diversification Canada, a federal agency. With those funds, the objective is to help small and medium-sized construction companies adopt new methods to lessen the impact buildings have on the environment. Right now, operating commercial buildings in Calgary and Edmonton account for about 67% of greenhouse gas emissions in those cities.

The SSRIA is currently taking applications and will accept 8-10 participants (teams). The SSRIA is seeking certain products and services to be commercialized, including mechanical and electrical system improvements; materials for walls, roofs and foundations, sensors and lighting products that reduce energy consumption; and software for storing and analyzing building performance on energy efficiency and greenhouse gases. The goal is to have all projects completed by 2023, with the long-term outlook being a mainstream adaptation of the results in all new commercial buildings in Alberta.

Written by Jeremy Power, a lawyer in Cotney Construction Law’s Toronto office. To contact Jeremy, please email jpower@cotneycl.com.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.