The NDP is attempting to offset the burden of the carbon tax on already struggling non profit organizations with the roll out of the Non Profit Energy Efficiency Transition program (NEET).

The government initiative was created to support and encourage non profit and volunteer organizations that own facilities to complete energy efficiency audits that will create 3-5 year plans for retrofit, upgrades, and other changes and investments that should be made within the organization.

The government is also encouraging the organizations to hire service providers to access efficiency systems like lighting, heating, cooling and hot water. These service providers will then prioritize the energy needs.

NDP Minister, Shannon Phillips, responsible for Climate Change, says once agencies are equipped they can take part in the Energy Efficiency Alberta Business and Non Profit institutional Rebate Program, set to roll out in March, which includes incentives to install high efficiency appliances.

"The NEET program means that non profit organizations will have the tools they need to lower their operation costs, have the information they need to invest in energy efficiency upgrade and modification, and ultimately do their part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which is what this Climate Leadership Plan is all about."

Jim Brown, Vice President of Meals on Wheels says that their new facility was built with energy efficiency in mind and said that it has reduced their overall energy consumption by 20%.

With with the NEET program rolling out, Brown says the non profit agency will be able to move forward with energy efficient plans. With no real numbers put fourth the question was posed- once the energy efficiency upgrades are made will it be enough to offset the carbon tax?

"The reality is that we don't have enough information at this point to understand what the relevant numbers will be or what any of the alternatives will be. What costs will be on the other side of the ledger, we don't know."

The Neet program has been designed as a long term plan for Alberta non profit and volunteer organizations. Phillips had no comment when asked about short term plans for relief for these organizations.