29 OCTOBER 2014

(Fredericton, NB) - David Coon, Leader of the Green Party of New Brunswick and MLA for Fredericton South is calling on Premier Brian Gallant and Energy Minister Donald Arseneault to reconsider their plan to dismantle Efficiency New Brunswick, the Crown Corporation created to develop the energy efficiency service sector to help home and business owners cut their heating costs.

"It would be a mistake to do away with Efficiency New Brunswick," said David Coon. "It is an essential tool to build a new greener economy, creating meaningful work and igniting start-ups in the energy efficiency services industry."

According to a 2012 economic study done for the Department of Energy, energy efficiency has the potential to create, 360 jobs per year and add $218 million annually to New Brunswick's GDP.

Efficiency New Brunswick was established by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Agency Act in 2005 to act as the primary organization to deliver energy efficiency and conservation in the province and to promote the development of an energy efficiency services sector in the New Brunswick economy.

"Energy efficiency is an engine of economic development in New Brunswick," said Coon. "Efficiency New Brunswick has leveraged more than $300 million dollars of private investment in our economy and has saved New Brunswick home and business owners more than $30 million annually in energy costs - while reducing our carbon footprint. This is what the new economy looks like - this is sustainable economic development," said Coon.

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