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CEA releases 2009 Sustainable Electricity Annual Report

The Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) and its member utilities released the second “Sustainable Electricity Annual Report”, outlining the industry's overall sustainability performance in 2009. Despite the economic downturn in 2009, CEA says its member companies are determined to improve their sustainability performance and deliver positive environmental, social and economic outcomes for stakeholders in communities they serve across the country.

 

“This year's report demonstrates our members' commitment to innovation and continuous improvement,” said Pierre Guimond, president and CEO of the CEA. “The electricity industry will continue to move forward on sustainable development, but it is also imperative that government creates the right policy conditions to enable our truly sustainable electricity future.”

 

“CEA members play an important role in the Canadian economy and we're determined to ensure that our business practices are sustainable, and that we deliver safe and reliable power to consumers,” said Will Bridge, executive chair of the CEA Sustainable Electricity program and CTO at TransAlta Corporation.

 

Launched in February 2009, Sustainable Electricity is an industry-wide sustainability initiative developed and implemented by the electric utility members of the CEA. By focusing on a three-pronged vision of sustainability—environment, society and economy—the association says the electricity industry is committing to managing its impacts and reducing its footprint. The program is built on the foundation of a process involving all utility members, as well as insight and leadership from a Public Advisory Panel. The Public Advisory Panel was also impressed with the electricity industry's results, says the CEA.

 

The CEA’s key performance highlights of 2009 include a:

 

·         10.5% reduction of carbon dioxide emissions

·         36% increase in priority spills

·         25% reduction in injury/illness frequency rate

·         32% increase in investments in generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure

·         And a 33% reduction in average electricity interruption duration

 

The CEA says the electricity industry will face some challenges in the future. According to the CEA, these challenges include: 1) meeting long-term electricity demand; 2) investing in new infrastructure; 3) attracting and retaining qualified workers; and 4) addressing climate change.

 

For more information, visit www.electricity.ca.

June 23, 2010  By  John Gilson



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