Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure today to report that an NWT Crown Corporation, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, has won two of the highest environmental honours available from a national environmental organization. The awards come from the Voluntary Challenge and Registry Incorporated -- a voluntary, not-for-profit organization in Ottawa designed to celebrate the achievements of members in limiting their greenhouse gas emissions.
The first of the Power Corporation's honours was attaining gold level champion reporter status for excellence in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This is the second time the Corporation has been acknowledged for achieving gold level status reporting. Accountability and reporting of emissions can earn members bronze and silver awards, but only those members who actually reduce greenhouse gas emissions can achieve gold level. The Corporation achieved a 100 percent rating from the Voluntary Challenge and Registry in attaining its gold level. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to say that the Northwest Territories Power Corporation has gone the extra mile and has actually decreased its greenhouse gas emissions by 47 percent from the 1991 levels. This, Mr. Speaker, represents the reduction in the Northwest Territories alone, so does not include any reductions due to the creation of Nunavut.
Despite stiff national competition, the Power Corporation was also awarded first place in the electric utilities category. The Power Corporation's prize-winning submission outlined a detailed and successful plan to reduce greenhouse gases. This plan included:
- • a promise of support from the Power Corporation's management;
- • a commitment to quantifying and setting a target for greenhouse gas reductions;
- • a specified time frame in which to carry out the plan;
- • a commitment to regular reporting; and
- • measurable proof that it had succeeded on all points.
A copy of the report can be found on the corporation's web site at www.ntpc.com.
Mr. Speaker, the Power Corporation received these awards at a ceremony celebrating environmental leadership hosted by the Voluntary Challenge and Registry last night.
Among the methods the NWT Power Corporation employed in winning its awards are: development of hydro projects; "recycling" residual heat; better efficiency of existing plants; replacing old style street lights and converting the Inuvik plant to natural gas. It has also decreased the amount of carbon dioxide relative to the total megawatts of power provided by diesel generation.
Another function of this organization is for its members to learn from the experiences of other organizations, as well as to contribute to a general body of knowledge about reduction of greenhouse gases. I am proud to say that this northern company, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, can stand as an industry leader and a model to other companies in the North and nationwide about how to effectively reduce greenhouse gases.
It is encouraging to know that this environmental success story is being acted out in the North. It is especially impressive considering the unique difficulties facing industry and power generation in our climate. Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that the leadership the Northwest Territories Power Corporation has shown will encourage other organizations to voluntarily record and reduce their greenhouse gases. Thank you,
-- Applause