WEG To Support Earth Hour

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Published: March 3, 2009 05:56 pm EST

Woodbine Entertainment Group announced earlier today it will join the thousands of organizations around the world who will be participating in Earth Hour 2009

on Saturday, March 28.

“We are in full support of Earth Hour and the awareness it creates,” said Jane Holmes, vice-president of corporate affairs, Woodbine Entertainment. “Environmental stewardship is a key corporate business strategy. WEG is committed to incorporating into its long term strategic planning, comprehensive green initiatives, procurement practices and innovative technologies, with a focus on long-term sustainability.”

In 2008 WEG was recognized by Peter Love, Ontario’s chief energy conservation officer with the prestigious Certificate of Recognition for its leadership in reducing its energy consumption. “Earth Hour provides us with an opportunity to challenge ourselves and find more ways to reduce energy consumption at all of our sites.”

Over the last three years, WEG has updated much of its infrastructure to more energy efficient standards including retrofitting its boiler plant, installing power-saving lighting controls and updating its building automation system.

When the Ontario Power Authority put out a call for businesses to support its Demand Response 3 program, WEG with the help of its aggregator Direct Energy, made the commitment to reduce its electricity demand by 25 MW when requested by the OPA. The OPA’s DR3 program is one of the most competitive programs in North America, compensating organizations for reducing energy use during demand peaks.

While the lights over the Toronto oval must remain on during Earth Hour, for the safety of its standardbred horses and drivers, Woodbine plans to support the initiative by eliminating lights in certain areas of the grandstand and lowering air and water temperatures. Mohawk, Greenwood Teletheatre, WEGZ Stadium Bar and Turf Lounge will show their support by reducing all non-essential lighting.

“We encourage our customers and employees to consider how their actions effect the environment and challenge everyone to come up with ways of reducing the size of the ecological footprint they leave behind,” added Holmes.

For individual citizens, Earth Hour’s website suggests that residents show their commitment to the cause by replacing their standard light bulbs with energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs. For more ways you can help fight climate change visit www.EarthHourCanada.org.

WEG has received many awards and recognitions for its commitment to environmental sustainability. In 2008 WEG received the OPA’s Certificate of Recognition, JohnsonDiversey’s Sustainable Facility Care Award, Recycling Council of Ontario’s Silver Waste Minimization Award for Facilities Management, BOMA’s Power Partner Recognition Award and was the only Canadian business to be named to Building’s Magazine’s Who’s Who List as one of the top 44 Corporations in North America.

(WEG)

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