Veridian celebrates Earth Day as one of Canada's Greenest Employers for seventh consecutive year

AJAX, ON, April 22, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, Veridian Corporation ("Veridian") is celebrating Earth Day as one of Canada's Greenest Employers for a seventh consecutive year. The announcement was made by the editors of the Canada's Top 100 Employers project at Mediacorp Canada Inc., an editorial competition that recognizes the employers that lead the nation in creating a culture of environmental awareness.

"Being named one of Canada's Greenest Employers for seven consecutive years is a remarkable achievement, and reaffirms Veridian's status as a leader in sustainability and earth-friendly business practices," said Board Chair Adrian Foster. "To be one of only 65 recipients across the country to be named to this noteworthy list is something of which we can be very proud of."

The winning employers, selected by the editors at Canada's Top 100 Employers, are evaluated on the following criteria: (1) unique environmental initiatives or programs they have developed; (2) whether they have been successful in reducing their own environmental footprint; (3) whether their employees are involved in these programs and contribute any unique skills; and (4) whether their environmental initiatives have become linked to the employer's public identity and attract new people to the organization.

"Veridian has always been, and will continue to be, committed to a cleaner and healthier environment because our customers and the communities we serve expect it and we demand it of ourselves," explains company President and CEO Michael Angemeer. "Today's announcement shows that our environmental practices we've worked hard at to put in place, and the culture we promote, are taking hold. I'm extremely proud of our employees and their environment-first thinking. Together, we will continue to make a difference in a world increasingly affected by climate change."

The competition's selection committee cited the following reasons why Veridian was selected as one of Canada's Greenest Employers for 2016:

• Veridian encourages alternative transportation wherever possible, including participation in Smart Commute Durham, and two electric vehicle charging stations, bicycle and car-pool parking, and a bike lending program at its corporate headquarters in Ajax.
• The company's corporate headquarters is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) – Silver certified building. The building's garage roof houses a solar array, consisting of more than 400 photovoltaic panels that is generating 160,000 kWh of clean, carbon-free electricity annually – an amount equivalent to that consumed by about 20 typical households.
• Veridian's Conservation Ambassadors make community appearances year-round to promote the Save on Energy programs that can help its customers conserve energy and better manage their electricity costs.
• The company offers employees interest free loans for the purchase of energy-efficient appliances for their homes or for the purchase of an energy-efficient automobile, electric bike or scooter.

Today's announcement marks the second major award the company has received so far in 2016. In February, Veridian announced it had advanced from Silver to Gold status within the Smart Commute Workplace Program for its commitment to promoting and supporting sustainable travel options for its employees. The award marked the fifth consecutive year the company has achieved a Smart Commute Workplace designation level.

Veridian is celebrating Earth Day through a weeklong series of events and activities, including community clean-ups, a household battery drop-off and disposal kiosk, smart commute and tree planting initiatives, and environment-friendly contests and promotions.

About Veridian Corporation
Veridian Corporation owns and operates Veridian Connections, a subsidiary company that distributes electricity, generates power and provides energy services to more than 119,000 customers. The City of Pickering, the Town of Ajax, the Municipality of Clarington and the City of Belleville jointly own Veridian Corporation. The utility is about to become the fifth largest municipally owned electric utility in Ontario after the merger of large utilities west of Toronto is completed. Veridian has a successful history of effective growth through two mergers and five acquisitions, and now serves nine communities east and north of Toronto more efficiently than any other large non-contiguous utility in Ontario. Veridian has a keen focus on reliability, customer communication and helping to lower customers' electricity bills through the delivery of innovative conservation programs and reasonable rates. Veridian not only contributes to local communities through industry leading financial returns, but also helps build stronger communities through the support of youth, health, economic development, education, the arts, the environment and the disadvantaged. Industry leading employee programs, public safety and a focus on employee engagement has created an environment that has attracted seven consecutive Canada's Greenest Employer awards and one Top GTA Employer award. Veridian has now diversified into renewable energy, and will be establishing other value added offerings for its customers.

SOURCE Veridian

Image with caption: "Veridian (CNW Group/Veridian)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160422_C2890_PHOTO_EN_673020.jpg

Chris Mace, Corporate Communications Representative, Veridian Connections Inc., 905-427-9870, extension 2218, [email protected], Follow us on Twitter: @VeridianTweets