News Release

For immediate release
June 23, 2009

Niagara Plant Group Joins Environmental Leaders Program
McGuinty Government Recognizes Environmental Excellence

NEWS

The Ontario Power Generation (OPG) Niagara Plant Group is the newest member of Ontario’s Environmental Leaders program.

The Niagara Plant Group is being recognized for nine innovative pollution reduction commitments to reduce their environmental footprint, including:

• A first in Canada pilot program that uses soil microbes in place of chlorine to biologically control zebra mussels – the program could eliminate the use of 20,000 litres of chlorine each year
• Efficiency upgrades to two generators that will increase generation by a total of 325 giga-watt hours per year by 2012. 

To be an environmental leader, facilities or organizations must have a good compliance record, an environmental management system, a commitment to reducing environmental impacts and a commitment to public communications and reporting.

QUOTES

“Congratulations to OPG Niagara Plant Group, the newest member to join the Ontario Environmental Leaders program, for aggressively greening their seven facilities.”
— John Gerretsen, Minister of the Environment

“Ontario’s Environmental Leaders program fits in very well with how we have integrated the environment into our day-to-day operations in Niagara Plant Group.  It was a natural evolution in our ISO 14001 Environmental Management System.”
— Tony Van Oostrom, Senior Environmental Advisor, OPG Niagara Plant Group

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario’s Environmental Leaders program is a unique partnership between the government and those companies that promote efficient and environmentally-friendly practices.
• Niagara Plant Group produces enough electricity to supply over one million homes annually.
  

LEARN MORE

• Learn more about the benefits of being an environmental leader and how to apply
• About other Environmental Leaders
• See OPG Niagara Plant Group’s website to learn more about their nine environmental commitments to the Leaders program

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Contacts:	Contact information for the general public:
John Karapita, Minister’s Office, 416-314-6736 Kate Jordan, Ministry of the Environment, 416-314-6666	416-325-4000 or 1-800-565-4923/ www.ontario.ca/environment

 

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