Union Gas helps PUC Services Inc. to deliver major energy savings

$24,800 from utility helps update state of the art, energy-saving building

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON, June 25, 2013 /CNW/ - Union Gas was able to help the new headquarters of PUC Services Inc. become a leading edge, energy-saving building, thanks to $24,800 in rebates from the Chatham, Ont.-based gas company.

The $20.2 million, 100,000 square-foot building is the multi-utility service company's new headquarters / service centre in Sault Ste. Marie and combines three previous facilities into one.

"Our goal is to help our municipal partners use clean and affordable natural gas in an efficient way," said Steve Jelich, northeast district manager for Union Gas.

"Since 1997, our energy efficiency programs have helped Union Gas customers save over five billion cubic meters of natural gas and reduce CO2 emissions the equivalent of removing over 1.7 million cars from Ontario's roads. These investments in energy saving projects, supported through our EnerSmart program, will not only help the PUC reduce its energy consumption and operating costs, they also help the environment."

The $24,800 represents the total amount of rebates that Union Gas has paid out as installation rebates.

This PUC building is near full completion after 18 months of construction, and is built to a LEED gold standard for energy efficiency. PUC Services Inc. is wholly owned by the City of Sault Ste. Marie. The responsible energy saving choices adopted by the PUC and supported by City Council, such as high-efficiency central boilers and water heaters along with energy recovery systems, will help ensure a cost-effective operation of this building during the course of its lifetime.

"PUC Services is grateful to Union Gas for their generous incentives. The energy savings that will result from the installation of the energy recovery ventilators and condensing boilers covered by these rebates are anticipated to save more than $900,000 dollars in operating costs for PUC and its customers over the life of the equipment," said Dominic Parrella, President & C.E.O. of PUC Services Inc. "Our combined efforts, in relation to natural gas and electricity conservation measures, will benefit both our customers and the environment overall."

Union Gas has been dedicated to energy conservation and reducing its environmental footprint for over 15 years. The company's program installation rebates are designed to help customers opt for higher efficient natural gas saving solutions and ultimately assist them in shortening the investment payback period for those solutions.

About PUC Services Inc.
PUC Services Inc. is a utility services company operating as a wholly owned private company of the Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie.  PUC Services manages the assets and business of PUC Distribution Inc. which supplies electricity to over 33,000 customers within Sault Ste. Marie and surrounding area.  PUC Services also manages the city's water treatment and distribution system and operates the city's two wastewater treatment plants under multi-year contracts.  In addition, PUC Services Inc. provides billing and customer care services and manages the operations of Espanola Regional Hydro under multi-year contracts.  Water and wastewater services are also provided to a number of communities and organizations across the Algoma District. 

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 distribution business serves about 1.4 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in more than 400 communities across northern, southwestern and eastern Ontario. Union Gas, named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers  for 2011, 2012 and 2013, is a Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE) company with assets of $5.8 billion and approximately 2,200 employees. For more information, visit uniongas.com. Connect with us: Twitter: twitter.com/uniongas YouTube: youtube.com/user/uniongas Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/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. 5490
Cell: 519 365-1010
[email protected]

PUC Services Inc. 
Randy Johnson
Marketing & Customer Communications
Ph: 1-705-759-6583
[email protected]