New conservation program aimed at lowering emissions

Union Gas to help more Ontarians make their homes energy efficient

TORONTO, Feb. 4, 2016 /CNW/ - More Union Gas customers will be able to get help to make their homes more energy efficient, thanks to a new program aimed at lowering Ontario's greenhouse gas emissions.

The $100-million program will be funded through the provincial government's Green Investment Fund and delivered to Ontarians across the province by Union Gas and Enbridge Gas Distribution, the Ontario government announced Thursday.

"Energy conservation is an effective, proven, long-term solution to lower energy costs and gives Ontario residents results where they have the most impact – money in the pocket," said Steve Baker, president of Union Gas. "For almost two decades, Union Gas has been a proven leader in delivering energy-efficiency programs such as home-renovation rebates. Overall, that represents reduced emissions that are the equivalent of taking 2.5 million cars off Ontario's roads for a year. And in that time, we've helped reduce our average customer's consumption by about one-third, saving them about $250 a year."

The program will help Union Gas enhance its Home Reno Rebate Program, which supports comprehensive home retrofits including improving the efficiency of insulation, heating and water heating systems. In 2015 alone, more than 2,500 homeowners used the rebate program, cutting their average annual natural gas use by about a third.

"Our customers have told us they want to conserve energy because they're looking for ways to manage their overall household costs and do their part for the environment," said Dave Simpson, vice-president of in-franchise sales and marketing and customer care at Union Gas. "So we're very excited to partner with the Ontario government on this important initiative. It will help us expand our existing program to reach another 12,000 households and contribute to Ontario's goal of lowering emissions."

In addition to providing natural gas delivery services and energy efficiency programs for homes and businesses, Union Gas contributes to the province through economic investments, available jobs, municipal taxes, volunteer hours, charitable giving and sponsorships.

About Union Gas
Union Gas Limited is a major Canadian natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario with 100 years of experience and service to customers. The storage and transmission business offers a variety of storage and transportation services to customers at the Dawn Hub, the fastest growing liquid market hub in North America with the largest underground storage facility in Canada and one of the largest in North America. The Dawn Hub 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. One of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2016, Union Gas is a Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE) company with assets of $7 billion and approximately 2,200 employees. For more information, visit uniongas.com or follow us on twitter.com/uniongas, facebook.com/uniongas and youtube.com/user/uniongas.

SOURCE Union Gas Limited

Union Gas Limited, Andrea Stass, Manager, External Communications and Media Relations, Ph: 519 436-5490 or 1-800-571-8446 ext. 5005490, Cell: 519 365-1010, Fax: [phone], [email protected]