BC Business
Jessica McDonald, President & CEO, BC Hydro
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People and businesses from throughout the province packed SFU’s Goldcorp Centre for the Arts at the October 16 event, which was emceed by Breakfast Television’s Riaz Meghji.
With 77 nominations across 10 categories, this was a banner year for individuals, project teams, organizations and businesses when it came to the great efforts made towards conservation.
“In this audience are some of the many business professionals who have realized the benefits of energy efficiency and know that energy-wise decisions make good business sense,” says BC Hydro and Power Authority president and CEO Jessica McDonald. “Year after year, you set the bar higher to inspire your peers, colleagues, and the business community and all of us at BC Hydro to emulate your success.”
The 10th Power Smart Excellence Awards coincided with the 25th anniversary of Power Smart, which was spearheaded by former BC Hydro chairman Larry Bell.
This year’s Larry Bell Award for Advancing Energy Conservation within British Columbia went to the late Tom Smith, owner of Quality Home Improvements. An energy-retrofit industry pioneer, Mr. Smith was in the energy conservation business for 33 years. In the awards ceremony’s most moving moment, his three children came onstage to accept the award on his behalf.
“This award honours an individual who shows true leadership in energy efficiency and who has made significant contributions to the Power Smart movement,” says Jim Nelson, BC Hydro senior marketing manager. “Tom Smith was a passionate contributor to his community… and shared his knowledge and insight on products, trends and retrofit measures industry-wide. He left a lasting legacy to the home renovation industry, the Power Smart team and advanced energy conservation in B.C.”
The Power Smart Leader Award, meanwhile, is BC Hydro’s highest level of customer recognition. The winners are: BC Ferries, which has implemented measures such as digital controls for heating and lighting to ensure every kilowatt of energy is used wisely. ICBC, which is on track to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 33 per cent by 2020. Richmond School District, which holds an annual Green Gala to showcase their achievements. Teck Resources Limited, which has achieved 16 gigawatt hours of energy savings in the past two years Thrifty Foods, which has reduced energy usage by 13 percent per square foot since 2010. “Energy efficiency and environmental sustainability are not just ideas but core values within their organizations,” says McDonald. “They demonstrate a best-in–class approach when it comes to strategic energy management and an ongoing commitment to energy conservation in B.C.”
Other 2014 category winners are:
Regional Retailer: London Drugs (finalists also included Coast Appliances, Trail Appliances) National Retailer: The Home Depot Canada (finalists included Future Shop, Sears Canada Inc.) Consumer Product Manufacturer: Samsung Electronics Canada Inc. (finalists included Philips Lighting. a division of Philips Electronics) Outstanding Energy Efficiency Project: Nechako Green Energy Ltd. (finalists included BCIT and Seaspan Victoria Shipyards) New Construction: Island Health for the Nanaimo Regional Hospital emergency department (finalists included Hotel Georgia Development Ltd. and UBC Properties Trust) Conservation Awareness and Engagement: Surrey Schools (finalists included CN and the Delta School District) Energy Manager: Brian Banting, from the Cowichan Valley School District (finalists included the University of Northern British Columbia’s David Claus and Allana Williams of Whistler Blackcomb Holdings)
Finally, an astonishing 17 businesses earned recognition as Renewed Power Smart Leaders, which demonstrate an ongoing commitment to energy management, with improvements seen year after year. They businesses are:
Cadillac Fairview Canfor Pulp City of Richmond Fraser Health Authority Gorman Bros Lumber Island Health Kwantlen Polytechnic University Molson Coors Canada Overwaitea Food Group Simon Fraser University Sinclar Group Forest Products Surrey Schools The University of British Columbia Vancity Vancouver Coastal Health Vancouver Airport Authority Whistler Blackcomb
“The energy conserved by our customers is enough to power almost half a million homes,” says McDonald, “and that’s something we can all be proud of.”