Executive Council
Education and Early Childhood Development
July 17, 2015

Educating Youth about Energy Conservation

School Programs Reach Over 11,000 Students with Energy Efficiency and Conservation Education

The Provincial Government, in partnership with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro (Hydro) and Newfoundland Power, educated a record number of students, more than 11,000, about energy efficiency and conservation during the 2014-15 school year through the takeCHARGE and HotShots school programs.

"Our government is committed to supporting a major shift in the uptake of energy efficiency and conservation in Newfoundland and Labrador. We recognize saving energy can generate multiple benefits in our province, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower monthly bills for homeowners and businesses. Through our HotShots initiative, we helped ensure students throughout our province understand the importance of saving energy and are equipped with information and resources to take action."
- The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister Responsible for the Office of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency

Over the last three years through the K-I-C Start school program, takeCHARGE has provided energy efficiency and conservation education support to schools throughout Newfoundland and Labrador by delivering classroom presentations and an annual contest for primary and elementary students. This year, through a partnership between takeCHARGE and the Provincial Government's HotShots initiative, the number of schools receiving presentations was doubled, a new contest for intermediate and high school students was launched and all resources available in French for the first time.

"Students have an important role to play in transitioning our province to an energy-efficient future. We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to partner with takeCHARGE to deliver messages about energy efficiency and conservation to a record number of students in Newfoundland and Labrador."
- The Honourable Derek Dalley, Acting Minister of Education

In total, over 11,000 students in 106 schools throughout the province participated in 448 presentations about energy efficiency and conservation.

"This year, we have been able to significantly expand the K-I-C Start school program and reach more students throughout the province. This is important because by engaging our young people in a fun and meaningful way about the importance of energy efficiency and conservation and their role in it, we inspire them to be catalysts for positive change now and in the future."
- Dawn Dalley, Vice President, Corporate Relations & Customer Service, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro

Through the HotShots initiative, the Provincial Government also developed and distributed educational resources about energy efficiency and conservation to every public school in the province, including French resources to schools within le Conseil scolaire francophone provincial de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador. The Provincial Government also launched a new website to provide curriculum-based resources for teachers.

"It is important that we educate today's young people about energy conservation. We want to help the students of today become the energy efficiency leaders of tomorrow. By working together, even small changes can add up to big energy savings that benefit our customers and the environment over the long term."
- Jocelyn Perry, Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Newfoundland Power

The Provincial Government will continue to provide online educational resources for students and teachers and through the takeCHARGE initiative, will continue to deliver classroom presentations and contests for students to promote energy efficiency and conservation.

Further information can be found in the backgrounder below as well as on the takeCHARGE website and www.hotshotnl.ca websites.

QUICK FACTS:

• During the 2014-15 school year, over 11,000 students in 106 schools throughout the province participated in 448 presentations about energy efficiency and conservation.
• takeCHARGE is a joint initiative between Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro that is aimed at providing Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with information, tools and programs to assist them in using energy wisely.
• HotShots is a pilot project of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador designed to improve students' awareness of energy efficiency and conservation and encourage them to be agents of change in their own environment.
• Further information is available online at takeCHARGE website and www.hotshotnl.ca websites.

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Media contacts:

Jennifer Collingwood Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation Office of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency 709-729-2575, 689-8605 jennifercollingwood@gov.nl.ca	Blair Medd Director of Communications Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 709-729-0048, 631-8465 blairmedd@gov.nl.ca
Susanne Hiller Senior Communications Advisor Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro 709-727-0989 susannehiller@nlh.nl.ca	Michele Coughlan Director, Public Affairs Newfoundland Power 709-682-1470 mcoughlan@newfoundlandpower.com

BACKGROUNDER
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Education Programs

HotShots is a pilot project of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador designed to improve students' awareness of energy efficiency and conservation and encourage them to be agents of change in their own environment. The initiative has included disseminating resource packs to all public schools in the province, launching a new curriculum-based website for teachers, and partnering with the takeCHARGE program to deliver classroom presentations and contests for students.

takeCHARGE is a joint initiative between Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro that is aimed at providing Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with information, tools and programs to assist them in using energy wisely. It is intended to encourage consumers to take charge and take action in their own homes and businesses to reduce the energy they use and save money. For more information visit TakeChargeNL.ca.

In total, as a result of the partnership between the Provincial Government and takeCHARGE, over 11,000 students in 106 schools throughout the province participated in 448 presentations about energy efficiency and conservation during the 2014-15 school year. These interactive presentations provide students with tips and resources to save energy and empower them to be agents of change in their homes, schools and communities.

Additionally, over 100 entries were received as part of the two complementary contests for students, both of which required students to submit creative entries promoting energy efficiency and conservation. Combined, the winning contest entries represented schools in Deer Lake, Lewisporte, Triton, Bay Roberts, St. John's and Labrador City.

2015 07 17                              12:00 p.m.