LONDON, May 29, 2008 - As part of Ontario's first Energy Conservation Week, Enbridge Gas Distribution (Enbridge) today detailed to London area business leaders a new conservation program offered by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA). The program provides design assistance and financial incentives to encourage building owners and architects to include sustainable and energy-efficient features in new construction and major renovation projects across Ontario including the London area. Launched in late March, the Enbridge-delivered High Performance New Construction (HPNC) program is part of a major conservation initiative offered by the OPA. It will contribute to the OPA's overall mandate to promote electricity Conservation and Demand Management throughout Ontario and soundly manage the province's current and near-term electricity supply. The program will provide assistance to include energy-efficiency measures in the design, construction and operation of new and substantially renovated buildings. These measures are designed to save energy through improved efficiency and peak demand management. "Ontario has set a very aggressive conservation target - 6,300 megawatts by 2025," said Peter Love, Ontario's Chief Energy Conservation Officer, Ontario Power Authority. "Partnering with Enbridge Gas Distribution to deliver this program should go a long way to meeting that target." The OPA has retained the services of Enbridge to offer its program across Ontario (excluding the City of Toronto). "Enbridge is a leader in delivering cost-effective energy efficiency programs and market transformation and has been for more than a decade, so this is a perfect fit for Enbridge Gas Distribution," says Susan Clinesmith, Manager, HPNC Program, Enbridge Gas Distribution. "We're extremely excited to help building owners and architects in southwest Ontario make the best use of energy through a comprehensive and integrated approach to building systems." In addition to helping to reduce future building energy costs, the HPNC program is expected to save 50 MW of peak electricity demand in Ontario by 2012. Projects eligible for the program include offices, agribusiness, retail space, multi-unit residential buildings, affordable housing, colleges, universities, schools, hospitals, long-term care facilities, hotels and other commercial and industrial buildings. Single family dwellings are not eligible. Projects must be completed and delivering energy savings by the end of 2012. The program offers financial incentives for qualifying buildings which exceed the Ontario Building Code. Up to $400 per kilowatt saved will be available to building owners and up to $100 per kilowatt saved to architects for eligible new projects. The program could deliver almost $18 million in incentives to Ontario building owners and architects. Details about project eligibility are available by calling 1-888-672-4762 (1-888-OPA-HPNC).
The London event was in collaboration with the London Economic Development Corporation. About Enbridge Gas Distribution Enbridge Gas Distribution has been in business for 160 years and is Canada's largest natural gas distribution company. Enbridge Gas Distribution is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Enbridge Inc., a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution. As a distributor of energy, Enbridge owns and operates distribution utilities that distribute natural gas to more than 1.8 million customers in Ontario, New Brunswick, southwestern Quebec and upper New York State. Between 1995 and 2006, Enbridge Gas Distribution's energy efficiency programs have helped avoid 5.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions and save about 2.9 billion cubic metres of natural gas. That's equal to delivering natural gas to about 955,000 homes for a year or taking 1.2 million cars off the road for a year. About the Ontario Power Authority In pursuit of its mandate of ensuring an adequate, long-term supply of electricity for Ontario, the Ontario Power Authority creates and implements conservation and demand management programs, ensures adequate investment in new supply infrastructure, performs long-term electricity system planning, and facilitates the development of a more sustainable and competitive electricity system. Media contacts: Debbie Boukydis Enbridge Gas Distribution (416) 495-5682 debbie.boukydis@enbridge.com Media Desk Ontario Power Authority (416) 969-6307
