January 29, 2001
Generation (OPG), and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL),
today announced that they are helping launch a major new
initiative for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, in partnership
with the national Action By Canadians (ABC) program and the Cities
of Toronto, Peterborough and Mississauga.
The Cities will provide ABC climate change initiative workshops in
Toronto, Peterborough, and Mississauga for individuals and
municipalities. These workshops will inform and empower individual
citizens to take energy-saving actions at home and on the road to
reduce their household greenhouse gas emissions.
"This new initiative will provide individuals with the knowledge
and tools they need to become more energy-efficient and reduce
waste," said Pat Daniel, immediate past-chair of the Energy
Council of Canada and President & Chief Executive Officer of
Enbridge Inc. "And because they will effectively link reducing
greenhouse gas emissions with individual actions at home, at play,
at school, and at work, they are also valuable to municipalities
pursuing climate change and environmental initiatives."
Greenhouse gases were identified as a major environmental concern
in the wake of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997. Although industry and
governments subsequently committed to energy efficiency
improvements and initiatives, individual Canadians have not taken
an active role, even though studies show that their activities are
responsible for 28% of Canada's annual greenhouse gas emissions,
almost five tonnes per person.
Action By Canadians is a program that encourages and supports
action by individuals on energy efficiency activities that would
reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our homes, on the road, in
the communities in which we live. It was developed and is now
adminstered by the Energy Council of Canada, a non-governmental
umbrella energy association with more than 100 members, including
a wide range of energy-related companies, organizations,
individuals and federal and provincial ministries.
Ontario Power Generation is a major North American electricity
generating company, based in Ontario. The company's goal is to
expand into new electricity markets, while operating in a safe,
open and environmentally responsible manner. One of the largest
electricity generators in North America, OPG has a total installed
capacity of about 30,000 MW. OPG has committed to becoming a
sustainable energy company. OPG is committed to being part of the
solution to manage global greenhouse gas emissions through the
company's actions and words.
AECL is a Crown corporation that was established in 1952 to
develop peaceful applications of nuclear energy. It reports to
Parliament through the Minister of Natural Resources. The
corporation currently employs more than 3,500 people at locations
in Canada and nine other countries.
AECL is the third largest global supplier of nuclear energy
systems and technology. It develops, markets and manages the
construction of CANDU power reactors and MAPLE research reactors,
carries out reactor research, supplies CANDU and light water
reactor support services and offers radioactive waste management
products and services. CANDU reactors generate electricity with no
air pollution, acid rain or greenhouse gas emissions. The use of
22 CANDU reactors in Canada has prevented the release of over one
billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
Enbridge Inc. is a leader in energy transportation, distribution
and services. As a distributor of energy, Enbridge Consumers Gas
owns and operates Canada's largest natural gas distribution
company, which provides gas in Ontario, Quebec and New York State.
In addition, Enbridge provides retail energy products and services
to a growing number of Canadian and U.S. markets. As a transporter
of energy, Enbridge Pipelines operates, in Canada and the U.S.,
the world's longest crude oil and liquids system. The Company is
also involved in liquids marketing and international energy
projects, and has a growing involvement in the natural gas
midstream and transmission businesses. The company employs
approximately 5,500 people, primarily in Canada, the U.S. and
Latin America. Information about Enbridge is available on the
Company's web site at www.enbridge.com.