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A Little Utility Challenge Goes a Long Way
TORONTO, Jun 22, 2007 -- Canada NewsWire
This week, the 1,175 employees who work at the head office of Enbridge Gas Distribution are engaged in a head-on battle with Ontario Power Generation, Toronto Hydro and Direct Energy. The four corporations are participating in Pollution Probe's Clean Air Commute(TM) 2007 this week, which is aimed at encouraging employees to take public transit, bike, carpool or vanpool, walk or telecommute. For the past few years, they have raised the stakes even higher by vying for their own Utility Challenge Cup, which is awarded to the company with the best record among employees for the week. "Enbridge Gas Distribution employees step up to the Clean Air Commute(TM) challenge and we always notice fewer cars in our parking lot," says Kerry Lakatos-Hayward, Director, Business Development & Strategy, Enbridge Gas Distribution. "The Utility Challenge Cup adds a dash of competition to an already successful week." The scoring is done with the help of a diary card for all participants designed by Pollution Probe that allows each commuter to calculate the environmental impact of their efforts. They are awarded grams of air pollutants saved for every kilometre of clean air commuting (depending on how they change their trip mode) from June 18th to June 22nd. Enbridge, a Clean Air Commute(TM) sponsor, held a number of educational workshops to help employees learn more about clean commuting. Activities included hybrid car clinics and information sessions on the company's vanpool and smart commute carpool programs. The company will reward its own top-performing employee contestants with prizes ranging from extra vacation days to a mountain bike and metro passes. "Smog doesn't take a vacation, and we know that our efforts have to be year-round," continues Lakatos-Hayward. "Eighteen of our employees at 500 Consumers Rd. are members of two van pools that get them to and from the Barrie and Whitby areas. Enbridge has supplied the two vans for the program, and a third is about to be launched." Pollution Probe reports that there are 122 companies registered for Clean Air Commute(TM) 2007, including 24 new registrants this year. The organization will announce the winners of various categories on July 5. In the meantime, the Utility Challenge Cup waits to see on whose shoulders it will be raised in victory. The cheers will come not only from the winning employees, but from all those who live and breathe in the GTA. About Enbridge Gas Distribution Enbridge Gas Distribution is serious about its commitments to the environment and to the sustainability of its business activities. In 2006, for the second year in a row, Enbridge Inc., Enbridge Gas Distribution's parent company, was recognized as one of the Global 100: Most Sustainable Corporations in the World at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Enbridge Inc. was one of only five Canadian companies recognized. Enbridge Gas Distribution was recognized for energy conservation at the 2006 Green Toronto Awards. Enbridge Gas Distribution has an almost 160-year history and is Canada's largest natural gas distribution company. It delivers safe, reliable natural gas to about 1.8 million customers in many Ontario communities including Toronto, Ottawa, Barrie and Niagara Region. Enbridge Gas Distribution is owned by Enbridge Inc., a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution. Enbridge provides distribution services in Ontario, through Enbridge Gas Distribution, and in Quebec, New Brunswick and New York State. For more information about Enbridge Gas Distribution visit www.enbridge.com/gas. /NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: Photos accompanying this release are available on the CNW Photo Network and archived at http://photos.newswire.ca. Additional archived images are also available on the CNW Photo Archive website at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/ SOURCE: Enbridge Gas Distribution News Provided By |
