Kelowna, B.C. – Today FortisBC, Terasen Gas, and the City of Kelowna, in partnership with the Clean Air Foundation, launched a new pilot program that will help small businesses conserve energy, save money, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

 

“Our small business customers have told us it can be a challenge to know what energy conservation solutions are right for them,” said Michael Mulcahy, Vice President, Customer and Corporate Services, FortisBC. “With Cool Shops we will bring expert advice right to their front door, with free energy audits for small store-front businesses in Uptown Rutland and Downtown Kelowna this summer. By working in partnership with municipalities and businesses, we can continue to lead the way in introducing energy efficiency options for customers.”

 

The Cool Shops program is geared to help business owners make informed choices about energy conservation, based on their specific energy needs, which will lead to savings on their electricity and natural gas bills.

 

“Commercial buildings present considerable opportunities for energy savings. In fact, in the last three years alone we’ve helped businesses save enough energy to serve the equivalent of 1,700 homes each year,” said Doug Stout, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for Terasen Gas. “Building on this success, we’ve recently filed an application with the B.C. Utilities Commission for funding that would allow us to offer more programs to a wide range of businesses.”

 

Participating businesses will receive free and discounted energy efficient lighting and water-saving products, as well as energy conservation advice.

 

“The City of Kelowna is committed to sustainable, environmentally-conscious business practices,” said Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd. “Both FortisBC and Terasen Gas have been active in helping promote responsible energy use. Their new Cool Shops pilot program will promote and showcase responsible energy use and complement City initiatives aimed at achieving a green future.”

 

The Uptown Rutland Business Association has been instrumental in helping get the pilot launched in their area.

 

“We’re thrilled to work with FortisBC and Terasen Gas to bring this pilot project to our area first. We expect up to 350 businesses to participate in the program,” said Todd Sanderson, President of the Uptown Rutland Business Association. “Our members are working towards developing sustainable, environmentally-responsible businesses, and with some help from Terasen Gas and FortisBC, we can implement timely and cost-effective changes.”

 

Businesses in the Downtown Kelowna and Uptown Rutland areas can book an audit by contacting the Cool Shops outreach team by phone at 250 469-8107, or by email at coolshops@fortisbc.com.

 

Initiated by the Clean Air Foundation in 2000 when it was introduced initially in Ontario, the Cool Shops program has already helped over 8,000 Canadian businesses take action to conserve energy, save money, and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Cool Shops received an Energy Efficiency Advocate Award from Natural Resource Canada in 2005 in recognition for their achievements.

 

FortisBC and Terasen Gas have helped customers save over 300 gigawatt hours of electricity since 1989, and 1 million gigajoules of natural gas since 2000. This is enough electricity to power over 24,000 homes annually, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50,000 tonnes each year.

 

 

About Terasen Gas
 Terasen Gas delivers natural gas and propane through three companies that make up the Terasen Gas group: Terasen Gas Inc., Terasen Gas (Vancouver Island) Inc. and Terasen Gas (Whistler) Inc. The companies share common Terasen Inc. ownership and are indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Fortis Inc. Fortis Inc., the largest investor-owned distribution utility in Canada, serves two million gas and electric customers and has more than $10 billion of assets. Its regulated holdings include Terasen Gas and electric utilities in five Canadian provinces and three Caribbean countries. Fortis Inc. owns non-regulated hydroelectric generation assets across Canada and in Belize and upper New York State. It also owns hotels and commercial real estate in Canada. Fortis Inc. shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade under the symbol FTS. Additional information can be accessed at www.fortisinc.com or www.sedar.com.

 

 

Nancy MacLeod
Manager, Corporate Communications
FortisBC
Tel: (250) 469-8016
Media line: (250) 718-1718
nancy.macleod@fortisbc.com

Ruth Sulentich
Community and Aboriginal Relations Manager
Terasen Gas
Tel: (250) 868-4517
Cell: (250) 718-1606
ruth.sulentich@terasengas.com