2010 Winter Games to source clean power from BC Hydro and promote energy conservation - VANOC CEO John Furlong joins Team Power Smart
March 18, 2008
VANOC News Release
VANCOUVER – A new standard of environmental stewardship for Olympic and Paralympic Games was reached today with the announcement of an agreement between BC Hydro and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC).
In its role as an Official Supporter of the 2010 Winter Games, BC Hydro will provide the resources to supply clean power for the Games. In addition, through its Power Smart programs, BC Hydro will work with VANOC to ensure the Games are energy-efficient and promote energy conservation across BC.
As part of its Official Supporter partnership, BC Hydro will provide secondments of personnel, as well as the temporary use of some BC Hydro properties and electrical connection equipment during the Games.
By using clean, hydroelectric power, the 2010 Winter Games will see their carbon dioxide emissions from power generation reduced to the lowest level yet for an Olympic Winter Games — less than 10 per cent of the emissions of previous Olympic Winter Games, which relied on diesel-based generation.
VANOC will pay for the electricity it consumes on the same basis as other large commercial customers; however, since the use of clean, hydro-electric power is a lower cost alternative to diesel-based generation, VANOC will realize significant cost savings over previous Olympic Winter Games.
“The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games present a unique opportunity to profile British Columbia’s role as a world leader in the production of sustainable, clean electricity,” said Colin Hansen, Minister of Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Asia-Pacific Initiative and the Olympics. “It also creates new opportunities for promoting energy conservation — a key goal of the BC Energy Plan.”
“BC Hydro is particularly proud to be an Official Supporter of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games because BC Hydro and the Games share many of the same values around sustainability and conservation,” said Bob Elton, BC Hydro President and Chief Executive Officer.
Elton used today’s announcement as an opportunity to draft VANOC Chief Executive Officer John Furlong to Team Power Smart, which features a group of more than 20 prominent British Columbians in a province-wide initiative to encourage energy conservation. As a Team Power Smart leader, Furlong will demonstrate how all BC residents can take concrete steps to conserve electricity and reduce their environmental impact through simple lifestyle changes.
“If every residential customer in BC pledged to reduce their annual electricity consumption by 10 per cent, the energy savings would be enough to power 10 Olympic Winter Games — or about 150,000 homes,” said Elton.
“The Games provide an opportunity for each of us to do our best, and to share our accomplishments and our vision with the world,” said Furlong. “Hosting the Games in a manner that shows respect for the natural environment is critically important to us. The collaboration with BC Hydro and their impressive Power Smart programs is therefore a significant step toward achieving our goals.”
It is estimated that broadcasting the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will be the equivalent of eight to 10 Super Bowls simultaneously for 17 days. The 2010 Winter Games will need high levels of electric reliability to support the unique requirements associated with hosting an event that will attract more than three billion television viewers and 75 million website visits worldwide.
To offset the energy consumption, VANOC and BC Hydro are committed to ensuring the Games venues meet high standards for energy-efficiency design. VANOC and BC Hydro are conducting energy audits to identify energy-saving measures, as well as providing conservation education programs for employees, sponsors, volunteers and venue partners.
Everyone in British Columbia can help support energy conservation by joining Team Power Smart. Team members who sign up on the BC Hydro website at
www.bchydro.com will be able to start their own individual conservation game plan, and access tips and information to help them achieve their goals.
About BC Hydro
BC Hydro is one of North America’s leading providers of clean, renewable energy, and the largest electric utility in B.C., serving approximately 95 per cent of the province’s population and 1.7 million customers.
Manitoba to participate in 2010 Winter Games
March 17, 2008
VANOC News Release
VANCOUVER, B.C.—Manitoba talent will take to the world stage at the 2010 Winter Games as part of a contributing province agreement between the Province of Manitoba and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC).
Premier Gary Doer signed the agreement here today with John Furlong, Vancouver 2010 CEO, at the VANOC offices.
“The 2010 Winter Games are an opportunity for provinces like Manitoba, as well as Canada, to showcase their local talent to the world,” Doer said. “While our athletes take to the rink, the slopes and the oval, Manitoba’s entertainers and artists will also have the chance to perform to an international audience. It’s an excellent opportunity to show the world what Manitoba has to offer.”
“Manitoba is celebrating the exciting possibilities presented by the 2010 Winter Games by participating in this once-in-a-generation opportunity to showcase their unique culture and personality to a global audience of three billion,” said Furlong. “We thank the Manitoba government for its generous contribution and look forward to working together to showcase Canada and Manitoba to the world.”
Highlights of Manitoba’s Olympic plans include:
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establishing a Manitoba House in Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Games to showcase local cultural performers and athletes;
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organizing a Manitoba Day at the Games to promote the province;
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developing the Manitoba portion of the torch relay, which will come to the province prior to the Games;
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ensuring Aboriginal participation in the Games and preceding events;
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showcasing Manitoba artists and arts organizations;
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developing initiatives that promote tourism, immigration, trade and investment, as well as promote Manitoba’s green-energy sector; and
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promoting educational and volunteer opportunities relating to sport and culture, and encouraging healthy lifestyles.
Under the Contributing Province/Territory Program, signatory provinces and territories receive a package of benefits that create a close association with the Games in return for a financial contribution based on population size. Manitoba will contribute $750,000 toward the success of Canadian athletes through the Own the Podium 2010 program, which is providing additional support to Canadian athletes in the run-up preparations for the 2010 Winter Games.
Manitoba will also provide $750,000 to support the Games and showcase Manitoba culture and arts, via the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad, and ensure that local artists are centre stage at the Games, which are expected to be watched by more than three billion viewers. The Games will feature more than 5,500 Olympic athletes and officials from 80 different countries, and 1,350 Paralympic athletes and officials from 40 countries.
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