OPG’s biodiversity work in Bruce County wins Gold Certification

“We are proud of this achievement, reflecting OPG’s commitment to biodiversity at the Western facility,” said Jason Van Wart, OPG’s Vice President of Nuclear Waste Management. “It’s consistent with OPG’s history of protecting the environment at its operations throughout the province.”

“Congratulations to OPG on this achievement,” said Bill Walker, Associate Energy Minister for Ontario and MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound. “Your good work to restore and conserve Ontario’s wildlife habitats is valuable to the environment and appreciated by the people who live here.”

Gold Certification recognizes years of work on environmental, conservation and community programs at the WWMF, within the OPG-owned Bruce nuclear site, located in Kincardine. Biodiversity programs at the site included:

• Habitat restoration for turtles and birds, such as ducks and meadow larks.
• Helping to manage invasive species.
• Providing awareness and community engagement programs to residents in Bruce County, often in partnership with local environmental and conservation groups.

“At OPG, protecting and nurturing Ontario’s biodiversity is a fundamental part of our operations. We greatly appreciate the Council’s recognition for our commitment to protecting natural habitats, including in Bruce County,” said Aaron Del Pino, Vice President of Environment, Health & Safety.

A score by the Wildlife Habitat Council can fall into three categories: Certified, Certified Silver or Certified Gold. The Gold Certification is a three-year designation, after which the facility may reapply. Other OPG operations that have received Gold Certification are OPG’s Niagara Operations, the Darlington and Pickering Nuclear Generating Stations, the Eastern Operations hydroelectric group and its dual-fuelled Lennox Generating Station, South Central Operations and the Wesleyville site.

“The Western Waste Management Facility and Bruce Complex met the strict requirements of our Conservation Certification,” said Margaret O’Gorman, President of the Wildlife Habitat Council. “Companies like Ontario Power Generation who achieve Gold Certification are environmental leaders, voluntarily managing their lands to support sustainable ecosystems and the communities that surround them.”

The Wildlife Habitat Council certifies conservation programs on corporate lands around the world and promotes environmental management through various partnerships and education. All applications for certification are reviewed and scored on an individual basis by a third party against project specific criteria. For more information, visit www.wildlifehc.org

About OPG

OPG is a climate-change leader and the largest electricity generator in the province, providing more than half of the power Ontarians rely on every day. It is also one of the most diverse generators in North America, with expertise in nuclear, hydroelectric, biomass, solar and natural gas technologies.