|
|
-
In 2005, Hydro restructured its operations and goals to closely align with its
expanded mandate from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. While many
of those goals focus on specific aspects of our business, one goal intersects
and impacts the entire organization:
To Be an Environmental Leader.
As a company and a member of the community we have a belief and a
responsibility to protect the environment we live and work in. We will
strengthen our commitment to protecting the environment and will focus on
reducing emissions from our power generation activities. Our Environmental
Management System and ISO 14001 certification are key components of this
commitment and they will continue to be the cornerstone of our environmental
work.
-
Hydro received several commendations for its Granite Canal Hydroelectric
Development including the 2005 Outstanding Stewardship of America’s Rivers
Awards from the National Hydropower Association. The company was recognized for
its Granite Canal Hydroelectric Development that balances electricity
production with the protection of local fish species and their habitat. The
facility also received the Ecologo™ Certification, which acknowledges that the
electricity generated is renewable and has a low environmental impact.
-
In 2005, Hydro’s Board of Directors approved the purchase of lower sulphur
fuel, moving to one per cent sulphur content instead of the current two per
cent. This switch will be completed mid-2006 and will reduce sulphur emissions
by 50 per cent and particulate emissions by 40 per cent.
-
A Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued in 2005 for 25 MW of wind generation.
The RFP is in keeping with Hydro’s mandate to seek cleaner, renewable
alternatives to thermal generation. Proposals are due on August 31, 2006, and
will be evaluated in late 2006.
-
2005 marked the first full year of production at the Ramea Wind-Diesel
Demonstration Project. In accordance with the power purchase agreement with
Frontier Power Systems, wind energy offset approximately 10 per cent of the
energy requirements that otherwise would have been produced by diesel in 2005.
-
Stack emission testing was performed on the three generating units at the
Holyrood Thermal Generating Station during April 2005. The tests monitor total
particulate, particulate particle size, metals, sulphates, sulphur dioxide (SO2
nitrogen oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and
carbon dioxide (CO2) in the exhaust-gas. The
results also provide data on our initiatives to improve overall unit
performance and efficiency.
-
The Hydrowise School Pilot Program was launched in 2005 at Bay D’Espoir
Academy. Aimed at Grade 2 and 3 students, the program helps to educate children
and their parents about ways they can conserve energy and make their homes more
energy efficient. Results showed that 92% of parents surveyed said their
households learned energy saving tips and continue to use them.
-
In 2005, Hydro undertook an assessment of rare plants associated with sections
of distribution lines to Boat Harbour and Cape Norman, on the Province’s Great
Northern Peninsula, to determine the best possible location for new poles in
relation to the plant species.
-
In 2005, as part of the Rencontre East interconnection project, Hydro conducted
wildlife surveys resulting in the first confirmed sighting on the Bay Du Nord
system of a breeding pair of Harlequin Ducks.
-
Hydro participated in the Labrador Woodland Recovery Team continued with the
development of a Recovery Strategy. This document identifies recovery
strategies deemed necessary to protect and recover sedentary woodland caribou
in Labrador.
-
In 2005, Hydro was proud to continue its support of the Conservation Corps of
Newfoundland and Labrador through sponsorship of the Coast of Bays Arts and
Exploration Centre Green Team. This group focused on the creation of a trail
way surrounding the Coast of Bays Arts and Exploration Centre in the Bay
D’Espoir area.
-
MUN Botanical Garden held a Junior Naturalists’ Camp for children of Hydro
employees in July 2005. The camp was offered as part of Hydro’s partnership
with the Garden for the establishment of natural vegetation along the banks of
the Granite Canal Fish Habitat Compensation Facility.
-
In 2005, Environmental Site Assessments were carried out on sites throughout
Hydro’s system including CF(L)Co. Eleven Phase I ESAs were completed; nine
Phase II ESAs, complete with Risk-Based Corrective Actions (RBCAs); and 10
RBCAs were undertaken based on Phase II ESAs completed during previous years.
|
|
|
|
|
