Backgrounder

For immediate release
May 8, 2007

BRINGING CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY TO THE MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Part Of The McGuinty Government’s Initiatives For A Greener, Healthier Ontario

Managing energy use is an essential part of solving climate change. Conserving and using green, renewable energy whenever possible helps reduce our emission of greenhouse gases that cause climate change.

The Ministry of the Environment’s Head Office, which is located outside the Queen’s Park compound, has switched to Bullfrog Power -- 100 per cent clean, renewable energy as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Bullfrog Power is the first 100% green electricity retailer in Ontario. It is the only electricity retailer in Ontario that buys power exclusively from wind and low-impact hydro generators who meet or exceed the federal government's Environmental Choice Program EcoLogo standard for renewable electricity. Bullfrog Power’s energy mix is a blend of clean wind and low-impact hydro power that is 100 per cent renewable and emission-free. The electricity produced by these sources is injected into the Ontario grid, the common power pool that delivers power to homes and businesses throughout the province.

The Ministry of the Environment will continue to draw electricity from the grid, but the difference is that now the ministry is supporting renewable power with its electricity dollars, rather than coal, nuclear, oil and gas.

Making the switch to Bullfrog Power is simple, and requires no new equipment. It costs an additional $0.03 per kWh. The Ministry of the Environment will offset this cost by implementing additional energy efficiency strategies.

Tom Heintzman, President of Bullfrog Power comments: “We’re delighted that the Ontario Ministry of the Environment is showing leadership in supporting clean, renewable energy by switching its Head Office to Bullfrog Power. We’re firm believers that all sectors of society – commercial, industrial, government, academic, and not-for-profit – together with individual citizens have a role to play in combating climate change, and ensuring that renewable energy continues to play an important part of Ontario’s energy supply mix.”

To support Ontario’s commitment to phase-out coal and increase our use of clean renewable energy, the government has entered into agreements to purchase power from 18 new renewable energy projects, which include waterpower, landfill gas, biogas and wind projects. Nine of these projects have reached commercial operation and are currently supplying power to Ontario’s electricity grid.  These 18 projects represent more than 1,300 MW of clean, renewable electricity – enough to power more than 300,000 homes.

Other steps the McGuinty government is taking to lead by example, clean up Ontario’s air, and protect the ozone layer:s

• 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
• 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.

 

For further information:
John Steele Ministry of the Environment (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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