The Nunatsiavut Governments Residential Heat Pump Program (RHPP), and its specific parameters, is only being offered to Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement residing in the Inuit communities of Nain, Hopedale, Postville, Makkovik and Rigolet.
Offered to residents with electric heat, the program is being delivered under the energy division of NG, not under housing and infrastructure. While NG continues to address ongoing housing needs and concerns, some of the funding provided by the provincial or federal government often must meet specific energy and climate initiatives.
With the RHPP, the financial support comes from the Climate Change Challenge Fund (CCCF), a program designed to enable businesses, industry, municipalities, Indigenous organizations and a government, and public sector entities to undertake greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction projects in Newfoundland and Labrador. Hydro diesel plant electricity generation accounts for the maximum share of GHG emissions. Therefore, the goal of this program is to decrease the consumption of diesel by Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro plants situated in the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area. Most of the provinces in Southern Labrador and Newfoundland is powered by hydroelectricity (Hydro Dams) which is renewable resource. If Nunatsiavut communities were tied into this renewable source, the parameters for this program would also include converting residents with oil heat to electric heat pumps.
NG understands that residents currently on oil heat do not qualify through this current program. However, if specific GHG guidelines aren’t followed, the parameters to receive any funding would not be achieved.
NG recognizes the need to have alternative option available to customers with oil heat, especially due to the high cost of fuel. Other funding sources are being explored, and work is ongoing to determine the best recommended replacement to align with current climate and energy goals within our energy division.
If you have any question, concerns or suggestions, please contact:
Jamie Hewlett: 1-866-922-2942 (ext. 280)
Stuart Michel: 709-947-3558