OLG Becomes Largest Supporter of Renewable Energy from Bullfrog Power In Canada

OLG Becomes Largest Supporter of Renewable Energy from Bullfrog Power In Canada
Canada Newswire
Thu Jan 20 2011, 12:00pm ET
Dateline: TORONTO, Jan. 20

OLG Slots At Woodbine Racetrack Goes Green With Bullfrog Power

TORONTO, Jan. 20 /CNW/ - Today the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has taken one more step towards its green energy goals, with the OLG Slots at Woodbine Racetrack facility now choosing green electricity with Bullfrog Power, Canada's 100% green electricity provider. The Woodbine facility is the eighth OLG location to go green, making the agency the largest supporter of renewable energy through Bullfrog Power in Canada.

"Being green is becoming a part of every aspect of OLG's business. We have committed to obtaining 90% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2014, and with the switch here at Woodbine, we move even closer to that goal," said Larry Flynn, Senior Vice President, Gaming at OLG.

Currently, the Woodbine facility consumes 11,600 Megawatt Hours (MWh) of electricity a year, one of the highest electricity users among OLG sites. Through the new agreement, Bullfrog's generators will inject green electricity onto the regional grid to match the amount of power all eight "bullfrog-powered" OLG facilities use. More than 35,000 MWh - enough electricity to power over 3,800 homes - will be greened annually on OLG's behalf.

"Bullfrog Power is proud to be a partner in OLG's continued efforts to reach its bold renewable energy goals," said Bullfrog President Tom Heintzman. "Their expanded participation with Bullfrog not only shows their support for the green energy industry here in Ontario, but also assists the Pearson Eco-Business Zone to come closer to achieving their Green Power Challenge objectives."

OLG's significant purchase will assist Bullfrog and Partners in Project Green's 'Green Power Challenge' to reach its 50% mark. Partners in Project Green is a growing community of businesses working together to green their bottom line by creating an internationally-recognized 'eco-business zone' around Toronto Pearson Airport. Businesses in the Pearson Eco-Business Zone are working to achieve a collective goal of greening 58,000 MWh of electricity.

Casino Sault Ste. Marie and the OLG Slots at Georgian Downs, Mohawk Racetrack, Hanover Raceway and Clinton Raceway moved to green electricity in February 2010. The OLG's IT Data Systems centre and Casino Brantford switched to 100% emissions-free electricity in January 2009.

About Bullfrog Power

Bullfrog Power, Canada's 100 per cent green electricity provider, offers homes and businesses a clean, renewable electricity choice. Bullfrog's electricity comes exclusively from wind and hydro facilities that have been certified as low impact by Environment Canada under its EcoLogoM program instead of from polluting sources like coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear. Thousands of Canadian homes and businesses are doing their part to address climate change and air pollution by switching to green electricity with Bullfrog Power. www.bullfrogpower.com

OLG is a provincial agency responsible for province-wide lottery games and gaming facilities. Since 1975, OLG lotteries, casinos, slots, and resort casinos have generated more than $32 billion for the benefit of the Province of Ontario. Gaming proceeds support Ontario's hospitals, amateur sport, recreational and cultural activities, communities, provincial priority programs such as health care and education, and local and provincial charities and non-profit organizations through the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Know your limit, play within it!

THE ONTARIO PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE 1-888-230-3505

Clyde lights the way at Woodbine

TORONTO, July 5 – In keeping with their commitment to environmental sustainability initiatives, Woodbine Entertainment Group today announced the installation of Clyde, a sustainable, solar and wind-powered hybrid LED light pole, at Woodbine.

Part of a pilot project, Clyde, one of a number of the Sustainable initiatives of Perennial Solutions Inc., stands just on the outer edge of the Woodbine employee parking entrance, an optimal spot for people to view the pole.

A commemorative plaque is displayed on the pole to show passersby of its significance.

The purpose of the project is for WEG to investigate the use of alternative energy sources and to realize its commitment of reducing our energy consumption from traditional sources.

John Marhong, Director, Infrastructure and Energy Efficiencies, with WEG, notes projects like this are pivotal for WEG in recognizing that long-term economic sustainability is dependent on working closely with its partners.
"WEG is committed to investigating and testing innovative solutions, and to implement proven technologies to realize it corporate sustainability objectives,” said Marhong. “The objective is to not only to reduce WEG's carbon footprint, but to maintain a state-of-the-art operating facility."

Armando Cappuccitti, President of Perennial Solutions Inc., (PSI) is proud to be associated with WEG and their willingness to embrace projects such as this.

“At PSI we realize that forward thinking sustainable solutions can be operationally effective as well as cost efficient. Clyde is a shining beacon announcing to the world that WEG is leading the way in this truly sustainable initiative of harnessing the power of the sun and wind.”

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Partners in Project Green launches Cool Rexdale

Partners in Project Green launches Cool Rexdale - a program to boost the local economy and create green jobs


This article can be found on the Partners in Project Green website thru the following link http://www.partnersinprojectgreen.com/news-and-media/269-partners-in-project-green-launches-cool-rexdale-a-program-to-boost-the-local-economy-and-create-green-jobs

Partners in Project Green today announced the launch of Cool Rexdale, a new program that will help to improve the economic, social and environmental vitality of Rexdale, one of Toronto’s priority neighborhoods. The eco-roof program encourages local businesses to save energy and green their bottom line by installing green or cool roofs. In turn, the program will create the opportunity for local youth to start a career in the eco-roof industry.

Cool Rexdale provides full-service support including access to superior roofing systems, financial assistance through the City of Toronto’s Eco-Roof Incentive Program and discounted eco-building materials through the Clinton Climate Initiative Purchasing Alliance. Cool Rexdale is a partnership between Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA), Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), Woodbine Entertainment Group, City of Toronto, Semple Gooder Inc., and Sheet Metal Workers’ and Roofers’ Local Union 30.

The program also aims to connect Rexdale youth to green jobs. Together, Semple Gooder, Toronto Employment and Social Services, and other community partners will recruit and train new pre-apprentice roofers, while the Union will provide safety training and help to integrate youth into the roofing industry. An information session for youth will be held on February 8 at 6 p.m. at Elmbank Community Centre, 10 Rampart Road.

“This partnership is a wonderful example of the difference we can make when we all work together,” says Toronto Mayor David Miller. “Rexdale has a high concentration of large flat roofs that tend to absorb sunlight and heat, which is a particular concern as global temperatures rise. By encouraging businesses to go green, we can address this challenge, create green jobs, reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, and beautify our city.”

Cool Rexdale builds upon the City of Toronto’s Eco-Roof Incentive Program that is designed to promote the use of green and cool roofs on Toronto’s commercial, industrial and institutional buildings. Cool and green roofs can help businesses reduce their heating and cooling costs and extend the life of their roofs. Green roofs, which support rooftop vegetation, also help clean our air, enhance biodiversity and retain storm water and its pollutants.

“We are very excited to be associated with Cool Rexdale”, said Jane Holmes, Vice President Corporate Affairs, Woodbine Entertainment Group, a key partner in providing funding to get the program started. “We’re proud to be involved with such an elite partnership group, and such a unique program that not only champions environmental sustainability, but does so in a way that helps the youth from this community get valuable hands-on job training in the green economy. To further support our commitment to Cool Rexdale and the emerging eco-roofing industry, I’m pleased to announce that Woodbine will include cool roof specifications in all its future roofing tenders.”

The community of Rexdale is a natural partner for the program because it is a priority neighbourhood situated next to the Pearson Eco-Business Zone and is also home to the Rexdale Business Park which features more than 1,400 businesses employing more than 46,000 workers.

“The GTAA is proud to be partnering with the TRCA on this worthwhile initiative” says Toby Lennox, Vice-President of Corporate Affairs and Communications at the GTAA. “The Cool Rexdale program will allow other companies to easily gain the same advantages that the GTAA has in our Fire Emergency Services and Training Institute, which features a green roof. This program is excellent for all involved and we will look to partner with the Rexdale community on future eco-roof opportunities for our buildings.”

“The Cool Rexdale Program is exciting because it helps businesses realize the financial benefits of reduced energy costs, while having a positive impact on the environment, and ensuring that local residents share in the benefits of the emerging green economy,” said Brian Denney, CAO, Toronto and Region Conservation.

Partners in Project Green - Fall Tree Planting

Join fellow businesses, their employees and families along the Mimico Creek for Partners in Project Green`s Fall Tree Planting Event.

This fun-filled event will give you the chance to lend a hand in restoring the Mimico Creek, while learning about the importance of watershed restoration in the company of other like-minded employees from the Pearson Eco-Business Zone.

The event will include:

Native tree and shrub planting along the Mimico Creek
Creek clean-up
BBQ and refreshments
Event details are as follows:

Date: Saturday, October 24th, 2009
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: North Mimico Valley Park (Disco Road and Carlingview Drive, Toronto – Park at Lovat located at 441 Carlingview Drive)
Cost: FREE

If you are interested in joining WEG's team of volunteers please contact Wendy Loiselle at 416 675 3993 ext.2377 or wel@woodbineentertainment.com

Woodbine Racetrack's Food Court Reducing Waste

In an effort to reduce waste effective August 27, Woodbine Racetrack's food court will stop providing the small paper side plate that is currently being served with the soups and Chilli's. These are the little plates that the soup and chilli containers get put on when given to customers.

The plate will still be available for other side dish's or if requested by the customer. This small change should result in both a reduction in waste and overall cost savings. Even though the paper plates are recyclable we know that most of them are currently ending up in the waste system.

Cost Savings

2008 we served a total of 54,404 soups and chili's. To date in 2009 we have served a total of 38,170 soups and chili's.

Based on rough estimates (about 10 % of the customers we serve may still like a plate) this change should result in a reduction of over 50,000 plates a year at a cost savings of $3,000.00 (based on 2008 figures).

Waste Reduction Numbers

Based on 2008 numbers

1000 Plate Case Weight of 21 pounds will reduce overall waste weight from this facility by 1,050 pounds.