GTA's Eco-Business Zone in Demand as Companies Seek Out New Approaches to Reduce Energy Costs

Partners in Project Green (PPG), an initiative lead by the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), continues to develop innovative ways for businesses surrounding Toronto Pearson to reduce resource costs and green their bottom line.    This year has seen a growing number of businesses get involved in the project to collaborate and reduce energy and resource costs.

Several Partners in Project Green leaders, from large to small companies, have already realized increased savings - GTAA has reduced its energy costs by $4 million annually; Lange Transportation has cut their natural gas bill by $60,000 a year by installing a geo-thermal system; and between 2002 and 2008, Molson saw a 39% reduction in natural gas use, 27% reduction in electricity use and a 36% reduction in water use.  Building on the lessons learned by these leaders, Unisource Canada worked with Partners in Project Green to put the lessons to work at their Mississauga facility.

 "After Unisource went through the Partners in Project Green Eco-Efficiency Program, we found some significant energy improvements," said Andrew Gustyn, Corporate Sustainability Officer, Unisource Canada.  "We were then provided with energy efficient lighting proposals through the Purchasing Alliance which has the potential to significantly impact our energy footprint."

Now Partners in Project Green is launching a new program to help even more companies green their bottom line. On October 15th, 2009, Partners in Project Green will be launching the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) Purchasing Alliance (PA).  Through the CCI PA, area businesses will be eligible for discounts of up to 45 per cent on green building envelope technologies and products, such as lighting, HVAC and roofing systems. These products can significantly reduce energy requirements to heat and cool buildings, while saving money.

The CCI PA is a program to accelerate the adoption of energy efficient products worldwide.  The PA negotiates reductions in the cost of energy saving technologies by leveraging the incremental sales opportunity provided by its partners like Partners in Project Green and the City of Toronto.

"The Clinton Climate Initiative Purchasing Alliance is another way in which Partners in Project Green is helping businesses green their bottom line,"  Brian Denney, CAO, Toronto and Region Conservation. "Thanks to the great work being done by the business-led steering committee, Partners in Project Green is able to deliver innovative programs and projects such as the new Purchasing Alliance."

The steering committee, works in partnership with TRCA and GTAA, and is comprised of private and public sector leaders that have a direct interest in the Pearson Eco-Business Zone, including:

 
GTAA
Unilever
Woodbine Entertainment Group
Molson
Bayer Inc.
Maple Leaf Foods
Bentall Real Estate
Lange Transportation,
Kuehne & Nagel
Monteco Group
Orlando Corporation
Oxford Properties
Mississauga Board of Trade
Brampton Board of Trade
Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters
Enersource Corporation
Weston Ltd.
Unisource
Canadian Tire
Region of Peel
City of Mississauga
City of Brampton
City of Toronto
Bob Delaney, MPP Mississauga Streetsville

New program announcements will be made at PPG's "Turning Green into Gold: An Evening of Sustainability Networking with Partners in Project Green" to be held on October 15, 2009 at 5:30pm at the Greater Toronto Airports Authority's Fire and Emergency Training Institute at Toronto Pearson International Airport (2025 Courtney Drive East, Mississauga).

For more information, visit www.partnersinprojectgreen.com

Media contacts for information and registration:
Rowena Calpito, Supervisor, Media Management, Toronto and Region Conservation
Tel: 416-661-6600 ext 5632, Mobile: 416-358-3446 E-mail:mailto:rcalpito@trca.on.ca

Scott Armstrong, Manager, Media and Communications, Greater Toronto Airports Authority 
GTAA Media Office 416-776-3709,