Bruce Power announced today a series of environmental initiatives which help the company meet its goal to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its site operations by 2027.

“Bruce Power reliably produces large volumes of emissions-free electricity that is critical to Ontario staying off coal,” said Danielle LaCroix, Bruce Power’s Director of Environment and Sustainability. “Thanks to nuclear, Ontario has one of the cleanest electricity grids in the world, and we are building on this leadership role to help Canada meet its emissions targets by 2050.”

Bruce Power’s Net Zero 2027 strategy, announced earlier this year, aims to meet targets by identifying and implementing energy and emission-reduction projects in its operations, identifying substitutions for high-emission energy sources and, where further reductions are not feasible, pursuing emission offsets. Some of the company’s emission-reduction projects include implementing efficiencies for on-site buildings, and undergoing a fleet optimization study to look at implementing more efficient practices and moving a portion of the company’s vehicle fleet to electric.

To accelerate its progress in net GHG reductions, Bruce Power has purchased high quality offsets from two projects validated under the CSA Clean Projects Registry. Both projects, located in Leamington, Ontario, are focused on sustainable agriculture. C&B Farms Biomass to Energy and Pyramid Farms Biomass Energy use biomass boilers to warm their greenhouses. Biomass boilers are fed with organic waste from landfill, avoiding methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas.

Through its Net Zero partnership with the Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII), Bruce Power will also be funding the development of carbon-offset projects in our local communities through the Carbon Offset Coalition.

The first projects to be implemented through the Coalition include:

· A partnership with ALUS (Grey-Bruce) to work with farmers and landowners in Grey and Bruce counties to undertake carbon sequestration (grassland, tree planting, etc.), as well as water quality improvement and habitat protection projects on marginal lands.

· A partnership with Dr. Franco Berruti at the Institute for Chemicals and Fuels from Alternative Resources of the University of Western Ontario to explore the use of a process known as ‘pyrolytic cracking’ to turn organic wastes, phragmites, and biosolids into a substance called biochar for the purposes of sequestering stable carbon which could then be further utilized as soil amendment.

· In partnership with the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority (SVCA), Bruce Power funded the planting of 36,610 trees in 2021, which is equivalent to the removal of 439 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tC02e). Bruce Power is working on a five-year implementation plan with SVCA to continue to support tree planting and carbon removal across the conservation authority’s jurisdiction between 2022 and 2026.

“We all have a role to play in a net zero future,” said, Chad Richards Director, Net Zero Partnerships at Nuclear Innovation Institute. “The projects that have been identified through the Carbon Offset Coalition process clearly demonstrate a willingness and ability to lead on local decarbonization projects, and this is just the start. We’re continuing this important work and encourage anyone with ideas for potential projects to submit them to the Carbon Offset Coalition.”

Hon. David Piccini, Ontario’s Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, commended Bruce Power and the NII for their commitment to developing innovative solutions to environmental challenges.

“I would like to congratulate Bruce Power on taking these steps to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change, particularly with nuclear solutions, which are among the greenest, cleanest ways to fuel Ontario,” said Minister Piccini. “Through these actions, Bruce Power is helping Ontario achieve its emissions reduction target, while also ensuring a safe, healthy environment for Ontarians now and into the future.”

Hon. Todd Smith, Minister of Energy, echoed his support.

“Nuclear energy is the backbone of our province’s clean, reliable electricity system. The provinces three nuclear stations, including Bruce Power, provide 60 per cent of the electricity we use each year,” said Minister Smith. “With these initiatives Bruce Power continues to demonstrate its leadership in developing innovative solutions to support Ontario’s emission-reduction efforts.”

Bruce Power will also hold a Clean Energy Innovation and Recovery Summit on Nov. 29. The Summit will feature updates on game-changing opportunities from the Bruce Power Centre for Next Generation Nuclear Technology at the NII. Some of these initiatives focus on leveraging the strong foundation established at the Bruce Power site to achieve Net Zero 2050 through optimization of existing assets, partnerships with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, hydrogen and fusion technology, public health integration in a post-pandemic world, medical isotopes, new nuclear, and electrification of transportation and industrial processes.

To learn more about the Carbon Offset Coalition, or to submit a proposal, visit www.carbonoffsetcoalition.com.

Learn more about emission scopes and Bruce Power’s commitment and strategy with this fact sheet.

source: media release, Bruce Power