Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc.: Green Energy Act Encourages Investment in Sustainable Energy Future for Ontario
Enbridge Gas Distribution Applauds Ontario's Leadership
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 23, 2009) - Enbridge Gas Distribution (TSX:ENB) (NYSE:ENB) congratulates Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and the Honourable George Smitherman, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure on the government's leadership in moving Ontario towards a cleaner energy environment. Introduction of the Green Energy Act highlights Ontario's ongoing efforts to make a clean energy future a reality.
Increasing the use of cleaner, sustainable energy will help create jobs, encourage investment in Ontario and provide a diversified, interconnected and stable energy supply. It will also contribute to a healthier environment.
"The Green Energy Act introduced today demonstrates that the government is focused on building a diversified portfolio of green energy solutions that interconnect with today's existing energy infrastructure," said Janet Holder, President, Enbridge Gas Distribution. "The Act will encourage businesses to invest in the green energy technologies that will move Ontario towards a clean energy economy."
Enbridge companies are leaders in the development of clean energy technologies, continue to look for new and innovative ways to use energy more efficiently, and to increase the use of alternative energy technologies. For example:
- In October 2008, Enbridge Inc. and Enbridge Gas Distribution announced the opening of the world's first Direct Fuel Cell Energy Recovery Generation power plant. The plant harvests pipeline energy that would otherwise be wasted and the fuel cell operates without burning any fuel to produce about 2.2 megawatts of ultra-clean, near zero-emissions electricity - enough to serve about 1,700 Ontario homes.
- Enbridge Ontario Wind Power L.P. has 115 turbines that combined produce up to 190 megawatts of renewable electricity. The project covers about 20,000 hectares in the Kincardine area of Ontario.
- Enbridge Electric Connections, an Ontario Energy Board licensed smart sub-metering company, is the leader in implementing smart sub-metering systems in condominiums and apartments throughout Ontario. With over 50,000 sales, Enbridge Electric customers are controlling their electricity costs and contributing to reductions in demand on Ontario's electricity grid through smart sub-metering and smart billing.
- Enbridge Gas Distribution coordinated the development of a multi-stakeholder pilot project that was launched in August 2008 to test micro-combined heat and power generators for residential homes. The freewatt® system being piloted provides primary space heating, water heating, residential electrical generation and back-up power. It is anticipated to result in cost savings for customers, reduced demand on Ontario's electric grid and reduced emissions.
- Between 1995 and 2007, Enbridge Gas Distribution's energy efficiency programs reduced use of environmentally-preferred natural gas by 3.6 billion cubic metres and saved 6.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. That is equivalent to providing natural gas service to more than 1.1 million homes for one year or removing 1.5 million cars from the road for a year.
Enbridge Gas Distribution has a 160-year history and is Canada's largest natural gas distribution company. Each of Enbridge Gas Distribution, Enbridge Ontario Wind Power and Enbridge Electric Connections are owned by Enbridge Inc., a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution. Enbridge Gas Distribution and its affiliates distribute natural gas to about 1.9 million customers in Ontario, New York State, New Brunswick and southwestern Quebec. For more information go to www.enbridgegas.com.
Media Contact:
Lisa McCarney-Warus
(416) 495-5662
Email: lisa.mccarney@enbridge.com
Website: www.enbridgegas.com
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 23, 2009) - Enbridge Gas Distribution (TSX:ENB) (NYSE:ENB) congratulates Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and the Honourable George Smitherman, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure on the government's leadership in moving Ontario towards a cleaner energy environment. Introduction of the Green Energy Act highlights Ontario's ongoing efforts to make a clean energy future a reality.
Increasing the use of cleaner, sustainable energy will help create jobs, encourage investment in Ontario and provide a diversified, interconnected and stable energy supply. It will also contribute to a healthier environment.
"The Green Energy Act introduced today demonstrates that the government is focused on building a diversified portfolio of green energy solutions that interconnect with today's existing energy infrastructure," said Janet Holder, President, Enbridge Gas Distribution. "The Act will encourage businesses to invest in the green energy technologies that will move Ontario towards a clean energy economy."
Enbridge companies are leaders in the development of clean energy technologies, continue to look for new and innovative ways to use energy more efficiently, and to increase the use of alternative energy technologies. For example:
- In October 2008, Enbridge Inc. and Enbridge Gas Distribution announced the opening of the world's first Direct Fuel Cell Energy Recovery Generation power plant. The plant harvests pipeline energy that would otherwise be wasted and the fuel cell operates without burning any fuel to produce about 2.2 megawatts of ultra-clean, near zero-emissions electricity - enough to serve about 1,700 Ontario homes.
- Enbridge Ontario Wind Power L.P. has 115 turbines that combined produce up to 190 megawatts of renewable electricity. The project covers about 20,000 hectares in the Kincardine area of Ontario.
- Enbridge Electric Connections, an Ontario Energy Board licensed smart sub-metering company, is the leader in implementing smart sub-metering systems in condominiums and apartments throughout Ontario. With over 50,000 sales, Enbridge Electric customers are controlling their electricity costs and contributing to reductions in demand on Ontario's electricity grid through smart sub-metering and smart billing.
- Enbridge Gas Distribution coordinated the development of a multi-stakeholder pilot project that was launched in August 2008 to test micro-combined heat and power generators for residential homes. The freewatt® system being piloted provides primary space heating, water heating, residential electrical generation and back-up power. It is anticipated to result in cost savings for customers, reduced demand on Ontario's electric grid and reduced emissions.
- Between 1995 and 2007, Enbridge Gas Distribution's energy efficiency programs reduced use of environmentally-preferred natural gas by 3.6 billion cubic metres and saved 6.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. That is equivalent to providing natural gas service to more than 1.1 million homes for one year or removing 1.5 million cars from the road for a year.
Enbridge Gas Distribution has a 160-year history and is Canada's largest natural gas distribution company. Each of Enbridge Gas Distribution, Enbridge Ontario Wind Power and Enbridge Electric Connections are owned by Enbridge Inc., a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution. Enbridge Gas Distribution and its affiliates distribute natural gas to about 1.9 million customers in Ontario, New York State, New Brunswick and southwestern Quebec. For more information go to www.enbridgegas.com.
For more information please contact:
Enbridge Inc.Media Contact:
Lisa McCarney-Warus
(416) 495-5662
Email: lisa.mccarney@enbridge.com
Website: www.enbridgegas.com
