News Release

For immediate release
May 8, 2007

GOVERNMENT SWITCHING TO CLEAN ENERGY TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE
Part Of The McGuinty Government’s Initiatives For A Greener, Healthier Ontario

TORONTO — Using 90 percent less electricity to cool Queen’s Park is just one way the McGuinty government is fighting climate change, Environment Minister Laurel Broten, Energy Minister Dwight Duncan and Public Infrastructure Renewal Minister David Caplan announced today.

“The McGuinty government is leading by example to clean up Ontario’s air,” said Broten. “We are taking a hands-on approach to dealing with climate change and making Ontario a greener and healthier place to live.”
The government took three steps today that will better protect the ozone layer:

• Switching to the deep lake water cooling system at Queen’s Park – which uses water from Lake Ontario to cool offices – meaning a 90 per cent reduction in electricity used for cooling Queen’s Park
  
• Using energy from wind or low-impact hydro generation, purchased from Bullfrog Power, at Ministry of the Environment’s head office
  
• Announcing the phase-out of a potent greenhouse gas and ozone depleting substance in large refrigeration equipment and chillers, and designating any surplus as a hazardous waste, beginning in 2012.

"Friends of the Earth is pleased to see this important amendment to finish the phase out of CFCs and large inefficient chillers across Ontario," said Bea Olivastri, CEO of Friends of the Earth. "We are also happy to see the government leading by example and taking significant steps towards reducing its own carbon footprint - by switching to more energy efficient, renewable methods of cooling and powering Queens Park."

With these steps, the government is well on its way to reaching its goal of reducing energy consumption in government buildings by 10 per cent by 2007. In its first year using deep water cooling, the province expects to save nearly 10 million kilowatt hours – enough energy to power approximately 1,000 homes.

“We are asking Ontarians to embrace a culture of energy conservation, and this government is taking the lead by moving toward clean and renewable sources of energy,” said Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal David Caplan. “It’s a win-win situation. These projects are not only good for the environment, they’re good for taxpayers.”

“The McGuinty government is strongly committed to increasing our renewable energy capacity and creating a culture of conservation in every corner of Ontario,” said Energy Minister Dwight Duncan. “With today’s announcement, we are demonstrating our commitment, as a government, to cleaning up our air and fighting climate change.”

Phasing-out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in large refrigeration equipment and chillers and designating surplus CFCs as hazardous waste in 2012 will promote energy conservation as industry replaces old outdated units with more efficient equipment. With energy conservation incentive programs such as the Building and Owners Managers Association (BOMA) program, there is an opportunity for more than 50 megawatts in savings in energy demand across the province.

“The Ontario government is doing what we are asking of all Ontarians—using energy more wisely,” said Peter Love, Ontario’s Chief Energy Conservation Officer. “Everybody wins. We save energy and money”.

All Ontarians have a role to play in making our province greener. The government has already taken action by protecting a greenbelt that stretches across southern Ontario from development, introducing tough new laws that protect our drinking water, producing more renewable energy and doing more to conserve electricity. But we know more needs to be done. That’s why the government’s next step will be to announce a climate-change plan — a step that will help all Ontarians do their part to make our province cleaner and greener while keeping the economy strong.

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Backgrounders:

• Energy Conservation In The Government Of Ontario;
  Part Of The McGuinty Government’s Initiatives For A Greener, Healthier Ontario
  
  
• Ontario Phasing Out Use Of Potent Ozone Depleting Substance;
  Part Of The McGuinty Government’s Initiatives For A Greener, Healthier Ontario
  
  
• Bringing Clean, Renewable Energy To The Ministry Of The Environment;
  Part Of The McGuinty Government’s Initiatives For A Greener, Healthier Ontario

 

For further information:
John Steele Communications Branch 416-314-6666	Sandra Watts Minister’s Office (416) 314-6739
Contact information for the general public: 416-325-4000 or 1-800-565-4923/ www.ene.gov.on.ca

 

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