NEWS RELEASE
July 20, 2009
UNION GAS INVESTS IN WINDSOR'S FUTURE
New $16-million company headquarters is greener by design
WINDSOR, ONTARIO – Union Gas today unveiled a new energy-efficient and environmentally friendly building to serve as its new Windsor regional centre.
"Union Gas is committed both to environmental responsibility and building vibrant communities," said Julie Dill, president, Union Gas. "This new facility reaffirms our long-standing commitment to Windsor and is part of our larger plan to reduce our energy consumption and lessen our environmental footprint."
On-hand to assist Julie Dill with the ceremonial ribbon-cutting were the Honourable Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Economic Development and Trade and MPP, Windsor West, and the Honourable Jeff Watson, Member of Parliament for Essex.
Union Gas’ new Windsor office, which serves as a base for approximately 125 employees, features state-of-the art energy and environmental technologies and is expected to qualify for a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold standard certification.
The new Windsor office features:
- A natural gas advanced technology reciprocating engine to generate energy needs on site;
- An automated computerized control system for security, lighting, heating and cooling;
- A building design that provides 75% of employees with natural lighting in their workspace;
- A rainwater harvesting system designed to capture water to flush toilets;
- Landscaping which features drought resistant and native plants; and
- Building products chosen for their recycled content and environmental sustainability.
In addition, over 80% of all construction waste was recycled.
"Our government welcomes the investment that Union Gas is making in Windsor," said Sandra Pupatello, MPP for Windsor West and Minister of Economic Development and Trade. "Their commitment to our community, and leadership in ‘greening their headquarters’ is commendable. We hope this will inspire other companies to follow suit."
Over the past few years, Union Gas has introduced energy conservation measures in its existing 60 company buildings across Ontario such as a retrofit of existing lighting which has reduced the associated electricity consumption by up to 58 per cent and the installation of water saving devices which have reduced water consumption by up to 40 per cent.
In addition, Union Gas has been delivering energy efficiency programs to its customers for over a decade. Last year alone, these programs helped our customers avoid 139,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions and reduce their consumption of natural gas by over 74 million cubic metres -- the equivalent of taking more than 25,000 cars off the road.
About Union Gas
Union Gas Limited is a major Canadian natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario with nearly 100 years of experience and service to customers. The distribution business serves 1.3 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in more than 400 communities across northern, southwestern and eastern Ontario. Union Gas's growing storage and transmission business offers premium storage and transportation services to customers at the Dawn Hub, the largest underground storage facility in Canada and one of the largest in North America. It offers customers an important link in the movement of natural gas from Western Canadian and U.S. supply basins to markets in central Canada and the northeast U.S. A Spectra Energy company, Union Gas has assets of $4 billion and approximately 2,200 employees. Visit uniongas.com for more information.
CONTACT:
Andrea Stass
Manager, Public Affairs and Media Relations
Ph: 1-800-571-8446 ext. 5490
Cell: 519 365-1010
Fax: 519 436-4621
E-mail: astass@uniongas.com