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12012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
boundless.
2 0 1 2 E N V I R O N M E N T A L P E R F O R M A N C E R E P O R T
22012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
All Nalcor Energy companies will help
sustain a diverse and healthy environment
for present and future Newfoundlanders
and Labradorians by maintaining
a high standard of environmental
responsibility and performance through
the implementation of a comprehensive
environmental management system.
The following guiding principles set out the
environmental responsibility, actions and
decision-making of Nalcor Energy’s companies.
PREVENTION OF POLLUTION
• Implementreasonableactionsforprevention
of pollution of air, water and soil, and minimize
the impact of any pollution that is accidental
or unavoidable
• Usetheprovince’snaturalresourcesinawise
and efficient manner
• Useenergyasefficientlyaspossibleduring
the generation, transmission, and distribution
of electricity, and the operation of its
facilities, and promote efficient use of
electricity by stakeholders
• Maintainanadequatelevelofemergency
preparednessinordertorespondquickly
and effectively to environmental emergencies
• Recover,reduce,reuseandrecyclewaste
materials whenever feasible.
IMPROVE CONTINUALLY
• Auditfacilitiestoassesspotentialenvironmental
risks and to identify opportunities for continual
improvement of environmental performance
• Establishenvironmentalobjectivesandtargets,
and monitor environmental performance
• Integrateenvironmentalconsiderationsinto
decision-making processes at all levels
• Empoweremployeestoberesponsibleforthe
environmentalaspectsoftheirjobsandensure
that they have the skills and knowledge
necessary to conduct their work in an
environmentally-responsible manner.
COMPLY WITH LEGISLATION
• Complywithallapplicableenvironmentallaws
and regulations, and participate in the
Canadian Electricity Association’s Sustainable
Electricity Program
• PeriodicallyreporttotheBoardofDirectors,
Leadership Team, employees, government
agencies, and the general public on
environmental performance, commitments
and activities
• Monitorcompliancewithenvironmental
lawsandregulations,andquantifypredicted
environmental impacts of selected activities
on the environment
• Respecttheculturalheritageofthepeople
of the province and strive to minimize the
potential impact of company activities on
heritage resources.
Environmental Policy & Guiding Principles
32012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT2012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
About Nalcor Energy
Nalcor Energy’s business includes the
development, generation, transmission
and sale of electricity; the exploration,
development, production and sale
of oil and gas; industrial fabrication;
and energy marketing.
Focused on sustainable growth, the company
is leading the development of the province’s
energy resources and has a corporate-wide
framework that facilitates the prudent
management of its assets while continuing
an unwavering focus on the safety of its
workers and the public.
Nalcor currently has six lines of business:
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro (Hydro),
ChurchillFalls,LowerChurchillProject,Oiland
Gas,BullArmFabricationandEnergyMarketing.
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR HYDRO
Hydro provides safe, reliable and cost-effective
electricity supply to meet current electricity
needs and future growth. Hydro generates
and delivers electricity in Newfoundland and
Labrador to utility, industrial, residential and
commercial customers in over 200 communities
across the province.
Hydro has an installed generating capacity
of 1608 megawatts (MW). Every year, Hydro
generates and transmits over 80 percent of the
electrical energy consumed by Newfoundlanders
and Labradorians, 84 percent of which in 2012
was clean, hydroelectric generation. In 2012,
Hydro supplied over 6,964 gigawatt hours (GWh)
of energy for use by residential, commercial and
industrial customers on the island and Labrador.
Hydro’s power generating assets consist of nine
hydroelectric plants (939 MW), one oil-fired
plant (490 MW), three gas turbines (127 MW)
and 25 diesel plants (52 MW). In addition,
Hydro has entered into a number of power
purchase agreements with non-utility generators
to supplement its own generation capacity
including two wind developments on the island
of Newfoundland (54 MW).
42012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
Hydro is focused on strengthening and ensuring
the integrity of its existing business of power
generation, transmission and distribution.
The company’s goal of business excellence
focuses on delivering value to its customers and
executing its strategy with an uncompromising
commitment to safety, environmental
stewardship, operational excellence, its people
and the communities where it operates.
CHURCHILL FALLS
Nalcor’s flagship operation in Churchill Falls is
one of the largest underground hydroelectric
powerhouses in the world with a rated capacity
of 5,428 MW. The Churchill Falls generating
station provides clean, renewable electricity
to millions of consumers throughout North
America. A significant portion of that electricity
is sold to Hydro-Québec through a long-term
power purchase agreement with additional
sales to Hydro and Twin Falls Power Corporation
to meet the needs of residential, commercial
and industrial customers on the Labrador
Interconnected electricity system.
Churchill Falls focuses on safety excellence,
delivering reliable electricity to customers
and ensuring future generations benefit from
this world-class resource through long-term
asset management.
OIL AND GAS
Nalcor is a partner in three developments in the
Newfoundland and Labrador offshore: the Hebron
oilfield,theWhiteRoseGrowthProjectandthe
Hibernia Southern Extension. Oil and Gas is also
executing a comprehensive exploration strategy
to accelerate the discovery of new resources in
the offshore.
LOWER CHURCHILL PROJECT
The hydroelectric potential of Muskrat Falls
and Gull Island make the lower Churchill River
the best undeveloped hydroelectric source in
North America. Together, they have a combined
capacity of more than 3,000 MW. The Muskrat
FallsProjectwassanctionedin2012andis
currently under construction.
BULL ARM FABRICATION
TheBullArmFabricationsiteisaworld-class
facility spanning more than 6,300 acres with
capabilities for steel fabrication and concrete
construction, outfitting installation, at-shore
hook-up and deep water commissioning.
The site is leased to ExxonMobil Canada
PropertiesfortheHebronprojectuntil2017.
ENERGY MARKETING
Nalcor is involved in energy marketing and
other energy activities, including non-regulated
electricity generation, wind energy and research
and development. Nalcor’s energy marketing
portfolio will grow over the coming years and
currentlyincludesrecallpowernotrequired
by Hydro.
52012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
At Nalcor Energy, we are dedicated to
environmentally-sound practices and
good stewardship of our natural resources.
Over the last few years, while maintaining
the safe and reliable delivery of energy,
we have continued to move forward to
maintain or exceed our environmental
performance, including our processes
for environmental reporting.
Our 2012 Environmental Performance Report is
an opportunity to share with our stakeholders
what we have been doing to manage responsibly
our footprint within the many environments
in which we work. This report describes our
environmental commitments, accomplishments,
partnerships and energy conservation activities.
In preparing this report, we make clear our
ongoing commitment as an environment leader
in Newfoundland and Labrador. In effect, it is our
promise to seek improvement, to promote
accountability and to ensure a healthy and
sustainable environment for Newfoundlanders
and Labradorians, now and in the future.
I am proud of our work and grateful to our
dedicated team of employees who help protect
our environment through their daily contributions
and constant diligence. I encourage you to read
this year’s report and I welcome your feedback.
Ed MartinPRESIDENTANDCEO
Message from the CEO
62012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT2012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
2012 Highlights
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR HYDRO
TheRameaWind-Hydrogen-DieselProject,
operated by Hydro on behalf of Nalcor, continued
making progress in 2012. The success of the
proposedprojectwillputHydroinaleading
position in the Canadian and North American
electrical industries with respect to the ability
to develop and implement a renewable energy
supply serving isolated and remote areas.
During2012,commissioningworkwascompleted
on the Energy Management System and the
projectmovedintotheoperationalphase.
In 2013, Hydro will collect and analyze operational
data. The collected data will be used to optimize
and improve the performance and efficiency of
the system. This operational data will play a very
important role in determining how the technology
used in Ramea can be effectively used in other
isolated electrical systems.
CHURCHILL FALLS
Churchill Falls is guided environmentally by
an ISO 14001 certified Environmental Management
System, and this past year marked five
consecutive years of completing 100 percent
of its environmental targets and milestones.
One significant accomplishment in 2012 was
the successful completion of an action plan to
improve further the powerhouse spill response
and prevention measures. This plan was a
continuation of a spill prevention and response
measures improvement target that Churchill Falls
has been working on for the past several years.
However, it is a significant milestone because once
all of the actions within this plan are completed,
all identified prevention and response efforts
will have been implemented.
BULL ARM FABRICATION
In2011,BullArmFabricationsignedasix-year
lease agreement with ExxonMobil Canada
Properties with respect to the use of the site
for the construction and fabrication of the Hebron
72012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
project.During2012,theearlyworksphaseof
theprojectbeganinpreparationforthe
construction of the gravity-based structure
andthelivingquartersmodule.
Consistent with Nalcor’s corporate policy
and guiding principles, an environmental
management framework is in place for the
durationoftheHebronproject.Theframework
documents and outlines the systems and
processes, which are the primary means for
Nalcor to ensure the consistent environmental
managementoftheBullArmFabrication
site under the terms of the lease agreement.
The framework is another way Nalcor
demonstrates its commitment to a high standard
of environmental responsibility and performance.
LOWER CHURCHILL PROJECT
The lower Churchill River is one of the most
attractive, undeveloped hydroelectric sites in
North America and is a key component of the
province’s energy warehouse. The Lower Churchill
development’s two proposed installations at
Muskrat Falls (824 MW) and Gull Island (2,250
MW) will have a combined capacity of over
3,000 MW. The development of the Muskrat Falls
Projectwillprovideaclean,renewablesource
of electricity to meet the province’s growing
energy demands. It will provide Newfoundland
and Labrador homes and businesses with stable
electricity rates well into the future, and will
be a valuable power-producing asset for the
province for more than 100 years.
Environmental Assessment is a regulatory review
and planning process administered by the federal
and provincial governments for identifying the
potential environmental and socioeconomic
effectsofproposeddevelopmentprojectsandto
informprojectplanninganddecisionmaking.
Nalcor received release from environmental
assessment for the Lower Churchill Hydroelectric
GenerationProjectfromthegovernmentsof
Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada on
March 15, 2012. Nalcor is incorporating the terms
and conditions outlined in the governments’
responses into the Muskrat Falls Hydroelectric
GeneratingProjectdesignandplanningwork.
InApril2012,Nalcorsubmittedtherequired
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the
Labrador-Island Transmission Link environmental
assessment. Nalcor’s submission of the EIS is an
important part of the environmental assessment
process for the Labrador-Island Transmission
Link. Nalcor completed significant analysis of the
likely environmental effects of the transmission
lineandStraitofBelleIslecrossing,whichwas
incorporated into the EIS prior to submitting
it to the provincial and federal governments;
Nalcor anticipates a response in 2013.
82012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
OIL AND GAS
As part of an extensive environmental approval
process for the Parsons Pond onshore exploration
program on the province’s West Coast, Nalcor
submitted an Environmental Preview Report (EPR)
to the Minister of Environment and Conservation
inearly2010fortheproposedDarcyexploratory
wellsite.TheMinistersubsequentlyreleasedthe
project,subjecttoconditions.Theseconditions
included the submission of an Environmental
Protection Plan (EPP), an Environmental Effects
Monitoring Plan (EEM) and stipulations on
when road construction could be performed.
In 2011, the decommissioning of the access road
totheDarcywellsitewasinitiatedandin2012,
it was completed. Today, in consultation with the
DepartmentofEnvironmentandConservation,
Nalcor continues to follow through with all
environmental commitments outlined in the
EPPandEEMfortheDarcywellsite.
To fulfill its commitments in the EPP and EEM,
Nalcor committed to the analysis of caribou
movement data. The provincial wildlife division
manages a monitoring program where 25 caribou
in the local herd wear radio transmitter collars
to allow monitoring of the caribou movement
by satellite. In 2012, a report was prepared
focusing on identifying any disruption in caribou
movement in the area that may be attributed
toprojectactivities.
EXTERNAL RECOGNITION
In 2012, Nalcor continued to receive external
recognition for its commitment to the
environment.TheRameaWind-Hydrogen-Diesel
projectreceivedanhonourablementioninthe2013
CanadaClean50Awards.TheWind-Hydrogen-Diesel
EnergyProjectisoneoftheworld’sfirstprojects
to incorporate renewable wind and hydrogen
energy sources to supplement the diesel
generationrequirementsofanisolatedisland
community. Receiving the honourable mention
means national and international recognition of
theproject’ssignificancetocleanenergyand
sustainable development.
92012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
MANAGEMENT REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE
Nalcor Energy’s Environmental Management
System (EMS) allows for the management of its
environmental affairs and is applied to activities,
products and services across Nalcor companies
that can have an impact on the environment.
The Management Representatives (MR)
Committee oversees the operational management
of the EMS. Each of the Management Areas (MA)
within the EMS is represented on the committee.
The MR Committee meets on a regular basis
and provides:
• anopenexchangeofinformation,
approaches and ideas related to EMS
development and implementation
• aconsistentapplicationofcompany
EMS procedures
• asinglepointofcommunicationbetweenthe
Leadership Team and Management in each MA
• aforumfortrainingandmentoringnewly
appointed Management Representatives.
The MR Committee keeps a global watch over
the progress and development of Environmental
Management Programs (EMP) within each MA
to ensure the overall approach and philosophy
of Nalcor’s commitment to environmental
responsibility and responsiveness is upheld every
day. The successful completion of the registration
process for ISO 14001 across the company was
reflective of the efforts of Nalcor’s MR Committee.
In 2012, the membership of the MR Committee
includedFrankRicketts,CorporateMA;RobBartlett,
Hydro Plant Operations MA; Cindy Michelin, Churchill
Falls MA; Rod Healey, Services MA; Michael Manuel,
Holyrood Generating Station MA; and Paul Smith,
Transmission and Rural Operations MA.
RECOGNIZING OUR PEOPLE
PRESIDENT’S AWARD — ENVIRONMENT:HUGHIE IRELAND
The President’s Awards are Nalcor’s most
prestigious form of recognition. Recipients are
considered role models who live the corporate
2012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
Our People
102012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
goals on a day-to-day basis and take personal
action to improve Nalcor’s performance. Hughie
Ireland, Manager Long-term Asset Planning
atHydro’sBishop’sFallsoffice,wasthe2012
recipient of the President’s Award — Environment.
Staff highlighted Hughie’s commitment to
enhancing the role of the Transmission and Rural
Operation (TRO) with respect to the environment.
2012 CHURCHILL FALLS ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD: JODEAN HANCOCK
Churchill Falls holds Nalcor’s commitment to
the environment in high esteem. Since 2010,
the Environmental Stewardship Award is
presented to an individual in Churchill Falls
in recognition of his or her commitment
to the environment and demonstration of
environmental leadership. The recipient of the
Environmental Stewardship Award for 2012 was
Jodean Hancock, Labourer. Jodean exhibits her
commitment to the conservation and protection
of the environment on a daily basis, promoting
environmental protection through leadership
and example. She composts, plants greenery
and reuses household items for toys. Jodean
makes an effort to reduce waste by conserving
household supplies and recycling. She promotes
environmental protection to children by teaching
andpracticingwastereductiontechniquesand
encouraging them to participate in environmental
conservation activities.
Jodean Hancock: 2012 recipient of the
Environmental Stewardship Award
112012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
Figure 1: Structure of Nalcor Energy’s Environmental Management System
CORPORATESenior Leadership Team
OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT AREAS
Thermal Plant Operations
Hydro Generation
Churchill Falls
TRO Operations
MR Committee
ServicesService input
to Operational Management Areas
Input
Ouput
Nalcor Energy has chosen the ISO 14001
certified EMS to drive the continual improvement
of the company’s environmental performance.
An EMS provides a management framework for
an organization’s environmental responsibilities
and is an integral component of the organization’s
business operations. The EMS governs the
environmental activities in Nalcor’s electricity
businesses — Hydro and Churchill Falls. Nalcor is
committed to the use of the EMS for its other
lines of business.
The six designated MAs within Nalcor manage
their environmental aspects through the EMS
(Figure 1). Each EMS is certified and registered
by an independent Registrar, Quality Management
Institute (QMI - SAI Global). More information
canbefoundatwww.qmi-saiglobal.com.
Nalcor has undertaken a comprehensive and
phased approach to environmental management
within the company and has registered and
maintained EMSs at its six existing MAs over
the period since 1999.
2012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
Environmental Management Systems
122012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
While the company made progress in reducing
its impact on the environment in 2012, Nalcor
will continue to develop long-term plans to
achieve its environmental targets and corporate
environmental goal — to be an environmental
leader. Throughout the year, Nalcor continued
tracking and reporting EMS performance to
the Leadership Team and achieved 97 percent
completion of EMS targets and milestones.
EMS programs developed under the EMS
cover a broad range of areas:
• Alternativeenergyandconservation
• Emissionscontrol;wastemanagement
and recycling
• Spillpreventionandmanagement
• Environmentalsiteassessmentandremediation
• Speciesandhabitatdiversity.
These systems include specific performance
measures and a commitment to continual
improvement.
For example, in 2012, environmental programs
focused on preparing and executing a workshop
andtrainingonenvironmentalrequirementsand
protection measures for transmission line access
trailtravel,workinwetlandsandprojectplanning
and implementation with personnel from Hydro’s
TROandEngineeringDivisions.Theworkshopand
training focused on further refining the company’s
planning and control processes related to work on
transmissionlinesandworkinvolvingmajorcivil
projects,toensurethatadequatenoticeisgivento
identify and address environmental considerations
and sensitivities and to ensure permitting and
approvals processes and timelines are adhered to.
Additional accomplishments resulting from the
EMP in each of the MAs in 2012 are detailed in
this section.
CORPORATE MANAGEMENT AREA
The Corporate MA consists of the Leadership Team
and a committee of managers with responsibilities
for facilities and operations with environmental
aspects. The goal of this MA is to coordinate the
development and maintenance of the overall EMS
for Nalcor and to identify environmental aspects
appropriate to the Leadership Team’s activities
and responsibilities. Although the operational
and services EMS are managed independently,
a common and consistent Corporate Environmental
Policy and Guiding Principles set the standard for
all Nalcor companies. Periodic reviews of activities
and issues are conducted to ensure consistency
with corporate standards.
132012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
TO BE AN ENVIRONMENTAL LEADER
Nalcor has developed a corporate strategy that
sets the stage for performance and guides the
direction of all Nalcor companies. This strategy
involveddevelopinggoals,objectivesandtargets
for the company.
Thefollowingobjectivesarereviewed
annually and are established to support
Nalcor’s environmental goal — to be an
environmental leader:
• Reduceemissionsperunitofenergydelivered
by achieving not more than 10 percent variance
from ideal production schedule at the Holyrood
Generating Station through 2015
• Maintainthenumberofenvironmental
leadership targets accomplished at or greater
than 95 percent each year for the next 5 years
• Haveallcurrentnon-regulatedgenerating
entities and lines of business under an EMS
fully compliant with the ISO 14001 standard
by 2014.
Fromtheseobjectives,targetsweresetineach
line of business in 2012, including increasing the
number of Leadership Team approved EMS targets
andobjectivesaccomplishedacrossthecompany,
increasing internal and external energy savings,
reducing emissions per unit of energy delivered at
the Holyrood Generating Station and completing
EMS implementation and compliance audit closure
plans for the new lines of business.
SERVICES MANAGEMENT AREA
Environmental aspects are an element of a
department’s activities, products or services
that can interact with the environment.
Currently, there are five departments within the
Services MA that have identified environmental
aspects. These groups include Systems Operations,
CorporateRelations,ProjectExecutionand
Technical Services, Supply Chain Management
and Environmental Services.
In 2012, the Services MA managed 13
environmental management programs.
Some results included:
142012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
• Controlledreleaseofover149millioncubic
metres of water from reservoirs, as part of
long-termagreementswiththeDepartment
of Fisheries and Oceans for fish and fish
habitat protection
• Completingafeasibilitystudyofhydraulic
potential of coastal Labrador
• Developmentofshort-termdemand
management programs for rural
isolated systems
• Preparingandexecutingaworkshopand
trainingonenvironmentalrequirements
and protection measures for transmission
line access trail travel, work in wetlands
andprojectplanningandimplementation
• Identificationofinternalenergy-saving
opportunities at selected sites
• Improvingloadandimplementingwind
generation forecasting, along with the
possibility of introducing additional wind
on the interconnected system
• DevelopingEMSsfornewlinesofbusiness
• Continuingtheoptimizationofexploits
generation through detailed vista modeling.
OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT AREAS
THERMAL
The Holyrood Generating Station is a 490 MW plant
locatedinHolyrood,ConceptionBay.TheHolyrood
plant’s EMS was initially registered in January 1999
and staff successfully completed a surveillance
audit in January 2012.
In 2012, the Holyrood Generating Station made
progress on 17 environmental targets, resulting in:
• Improvedguidecurveperformanceforplant
efficiency at dispatch load
• Improvedenergyefficiencythroughlighting
and heating improvements
• Improvedmarineterminaloperationsandspill
mitigation with a completed marine terminal
guidelines document
• Reducedenvironmentalriskbyelimination
of a decommissioned lubrication system
• Improvedrecyclingbyimplementing
a non-rechargeable battery recycling program
• Reducedfuelconsumptionthroughcompletion
of the second phase of work to improve
synchronouscondenseroperationofUnit3
to minimize switch from generation to
voltage support.
HYDRO OPERATIONS
TheBayd’EspoirMAconsistsofeight
generating stations on the island with
a total installed capacity of 939 MW. In 2012,
some of the Environmental Management
Program results included:
• Assessmentofopportunitiesforthe
implementation of energy efficiency and
conservation applications such as replacing
older type heaters and lights with more energy
efficiency type in numerous locations throughout
Hydro Generation facilities and prepared a cost
proposal for executing an energy audit
• Reviewofemergencyresponsespillequipment
andadditionalpurchasingofequipment
152012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
• DevelopmentofanEMSfortheStarLake
generating facility and integration into the
Hydro Generation EMS
• Fuelstoragetankimprovements
• Reviewofwaterspillingproceduresand
identification of measures to assess and mitigate
environmental risk and/or impact.
TRANSMISSION AND RURAL OPERATIONS
The TRO division operates three gas turbines, three
interconnected diesel generating stations, three
wind turbines, one mini-hydro plant and 22 isolated
diesel generating and distribution systems. Hydro
also maintains 54 high-voltage terminal stations,
34 lower-voltage interconnected distribution
substations, 3,743 km of interconnected high-voltage
transmission lines and 3,427 km of distribution lines.
In 2012, significant EMS programs completed in
TRO included:
• Continuedfocusonspill/leakreduction
by replacing 110 distribution transformers
and providing employee training to enhance
their understanding and responsibilities
of spill and environmental SWOP reporting
and investigation processes
• Implementationofafive-yearplanfor
improvements to prevent potential
environmental impacts from fuel storage
systems with the installation of one new fuel
storage tank and one used oil tank
• Continuedtestingofelectricalequipment
potentiallycontainingPolychlorinatedBiphenyls
(PCBs)andtheimplementationofa15-year
replacementplanforsealedequipment
• Conductedtrialsofnewproductsornewrates
with existing products with the potential to
reduce herbicide use; trials included alternative
herbicide for weed control program (Arsenal
herbicide) and the reduction of the standard
rate of Roundup WeatherMAX from 1.34 percent
to one percent on 10 sites
• Internalenergyefficiencyprogram
improvements due to the installation of T12
light fixtures and the installation of automated
temperature set back controls on ceiling
mounted electric fan heaters at three locations.
CHURCHILL FALLS
The Churchill Falls Hydroelectric Generating Station
has an installed capacity of 5,428 MW. Associated
with this development is approximately 1,200 km
of high-voltage transmission lines, an airport and
the Town of Churchill Falls. Environmental aspects
of these facilities are included in the EMS.
The environmental aspects of the former Twin
Falls Hydroelectric Generating Station are also
managed through the Churchill Falls EMS. The EMS
was registered in 2000 and successfully completed
a re-registration audit in 2012.
Environmental targets and programs were
developed at Churchill Falls as part of the EMS.
Some results of 2012 targets were:
• 100percentcompletionof31environmental
management system targets
• Implementedidlereductioncampaign
• CompletedRiverSpillResponsetraining
• Reviewedotherutilityspillcontrolpractices,
and developed a plan to improve spill
prevention and response measures
162012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
• Performedextraworkonunitnumber
two turbine to reduce oil loss
• Continuationofamulti-yearprogramfor
reduction of oil leaks from switchyard transformers
by repairing apparent leaks on three transformers
• DevelopedaHalocarbonManagementPlan
• Continuationofamulti-yearcontaminated
lands program.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR THE NEW LINES OF BUSINESS
Nalcor has decided on a staged approach to
developing and implementing an EMS across the
new lines of business. The new operating facilities
andlinesofbusinessforwhichEMSrequirements
arebeingdevelopedinclude:OilandGas;BullArm
Fabrication; Menihek Hydroelectric Generating
Station; Exploits Generation; and Star Lake
Hydroelectric Generating Station.
In 2012, Oil and Gas made great progress with
developing and implementing elements of its EMS.
Duringthepastyear,OilandGashasreviewed
Nalcor’s Environmental Policy and Guiding
Principles, as well as developed procedures to
set the foundation for ongoing development of
its EMS. In 2013, Oil and Gas will continue to
explore its options for EMS structure that is suitable
for its business needs.
BullArmFabricationcontinuedtobuilduponits
Environmental Management Framework (EMF)
ensuring a more cohesive management process
betweenBullArmFabricationandExxonMobile
Canada Properties. In 2012, Environment Services
developed and implemented pertinent internal
procedures to ensure consistency between the
sublease and EMF, as well as safeguarding a
high level of Environmental Management at
theBullArmsite.
Menihek Hydroelectric Generation Station made
significant steps towards the implementation of its
ISO 14001:2004 consistent EMS. All key elements
weredevelopedtoaddresstherequirementsof
the standard including successful testing of the
Environmental Emergency Response Plan. In 2013,
Menihek will continue to work towards having an
EMS in place suitable for an independent audit
review in 2014.
2012 also proved to be a successful year for
Exploits Generation with the completion of all
environmental targets identified in the gap
closure plan. Exploits continues to develop and
implement EMS procedures ensuring continual
growth and development of its EMS. Star Lake
Hydroelectric Generating Station was successfully
incorporated into the existing EMS for Hydro
Generation. In 2013, implementation work will
continue on the EMS to ensure it is ready for
an independent review.
172012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
WASTEWATER CONTROL
The Holyrood Generating Station’s wastewater
treatment plant treats the wastewater resulting
from the combustion of fuel and run-off from
an on-site solid waste landfill. Components of
the wastewater are measured and compared to
regulatory limits. Once all aspects of the wastewater
meetprovincialregulatoryrequirements,itis
released in the plant’s cooling water discharge and
intoConceptionBay.In2012,threemillionlitresof
wastewater were treated and discharged, which
was similar to the 3.07 million litres of wastewater
treated and discharged in 2011.
AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT
Hydro has a mandate to meet the province’s
growing electricity needs. In 2012, on the Island
Interconnected System, approximately 83 percent
of this electricity was generated from clean
hydroelectric power. However, in order to meet
thetotalcustomerdemandrequirementsandto
secure the transmission supply into the Avalon
Peninsula, between 10 and 25 percent of the
island’s electricity continues to come from fossil-
fuel fired generation at the Holyrood Generating
Station each year. Hydro also operates 25 diesel
plants across the province and three wind turbines
in the isolated community of Ramea.
The company continues to use alternative sources
of energy supplementing the province’s energy
supply and to reduce emissions from burning
fossil fuels. In 2012, Hydro purchased 195,042
megawatt hours of clean energy from the island’s
twowindfarmprojects.Thatisenoughgreen
energy to power more than 13,210 homes. This
isequaltoburning310,000barrelsofoilatthe
Holyrood plant and is a reduction of more than
160,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
Overall, thermal production at the Holyrood
Generating Station decreased in 2012 by 3.4
percent from 2011, primarily due to decreased
requirementsoftheplantforAvalontransmission
support. The Holyrood plant produced a little
more than 13 percent of the energy supplied by
Hydro in 2012, down slightly from 14 percent in
2011. The decreased energy production from the
Holyrood plant in 2012 resulted in a 2.5 percent
decrease in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The
decrease in CO2 emissions is directly attributed to
less fuel being consumed. The sulfur dioxide (SO2)
emissionsfromtheplantin2012wereequalto
those experienced in 2011.
Overall, energy received into the system increased
by nearly seven percent in 2012, mainly because
of the increased production from Exploits and
Star Lake Generating facilities. This increase was
partially offset by decreased generation from the
windprojects,RattleBrookandtheCornerBrook
Pulp and Paper Co-generation facility. Overall
energysupplyrequirementsincreasedbynearly
two percent in 2012, which was primarily due
to an increase in industrial load in addition to
slight increases in utility load. Hydro’s hydroelectric
production on the island was up by nearly
two percent from 2011, primarily due to the
reducedHolyroodrequirementsandincreased
demandrequirements.
Total emissions for CO2, nitrogen oxides (NO
x)
and SO2 for the Holyrood Generating Station,
Emissions
182012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
gas turbine facilities and isolated diesel generating
stations are calculated using formulas approved
bytheDepartmentofEnvironmentand
Conservation. Nalcor’s overall air emissions are
dominated by those resulting from production
at the Holyrood Generating Station. Emissions
of CO2, NO
x and SO
2 for the Labrador Isolated
DieselSystem,LabradorInterconnected
SystemandtheIslandIsolatedDieselSystem,
were calculated to be approximately 42.4,
1.24 and 0.05 kilotonnes respectively.
Emissions for the Island Interconnected System,
including the Holyrood Generating Station,
interconnected gas turbines and the standby
diesel plants are outlined in the following graphs:
ANNUAL CO2 EMISSIONS
Hydraulic Production Island Interconnected Emissions
Emis
sion
s (k
iloto
nnes
)
Hydr
aulic
Pro
duct
ion
(GW
h)
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
02002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
2,000
1,800
1,600
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
0
192012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
ANNUAL NOX EMISSIONS
Hydraulic Production Island Interconnected Emissions
Emis
sion
s (k
iloto
nnes
)
Hydr
aulic
Pro
duct
ion
(GW
h)
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
5.0
4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
05
02002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
ANNUAL SO2 EMISSIONS
Hydraulic Production Island Interconnected Emissions
Emis
sion
s (k
iloto
nnes
)
Hydr
aulic
Pro
duct
ion
(GW
h)
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
25
20
15
10
5
0
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
202012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
COME BY CHANCE CAPACITOR BANK INSTALLATION
In 2012, Hydro completed construction of four
230 kilovolt (kV), 38.35 megavolt-amps reactive
(MVAR) switched shunt capacitor banks at the
ComeByChanceTerminalStationtoreduce
the amount of minimum energy production
from the Holyrood Generating Station needed
to maintain acceptable voltages on the
Avalon Peninsula during system contingencies.
The capacitor bank, in turn, improves the use
of the hydroelectric energy sources on the Island
Interconnected System.
The capacitor banks were commissioned in
two stages, with two banks placed in service in
December2011andtheremainingtwobanksin
February 2012. It is estimated that the capacitor
banks resulted in nearly 2,200 hours of reduced
unit operation at the Holyrood Generating Station
2012. In a further analysis, it was determined that
thesereducedminimumoperatingrequirements
will result in nearly 120 GWh of avoided spill
from Hydro’s reservoirs to the end of the current
forecastperiod(December2016).
UsingHydro’sapprovedfuelconversionfactor
of 630 kilowatt-hour/barrel (kWh/bbl) and
the average Holyrood Generating Station’s fuel
consumption prices in 2012 ($115/bbl), this
represents over 190,000 barrels of avoided fuel
usageatasavingsofnearly$22million.Using
the last five-year’s emissions intensity rate for
the Holyrood Generating Station (0.819 kg/kWh),
the use of the capacitor banks has resulted in
a 100,000 tonne reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions since commissioning.
212012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS (PCBs)
PCBsarethemostsignificantwastemanagement
issue in the electric utility industry. This substance
wascommonlyusedinelectricalequipmentprior
tothelate1970s,whenPCBproductionwas
banned. The effect of this ban on Hydro and many
otherutilitieswastwo-fold.TheamountofPCB
in-servicedeclinedasnewPCB-freeequipment
wasinstalled,andinventoriesofPCB-contaminated
wastesincreasedasolderequipmentwasretired.
HydrohadaPCBmanagementprogramin
place since the early 1980s to reduce the risks
associatedwithin-serviceequipmentcontaining
PCBs.Theearlierfocusofthisprogramwasto
remove all items with a high-concentration
(greater than 10,000 milligrams per kilogram
(mg/kg))PCBequipmentfromserviceandto
reducetheconcentrationofPCBsinlargervolume
oilfilledequipmenttolessthan50mg/kg.
In 2012, Hydro continued with a program to test
allotheroil-filledequipmentthatwerenotsealed
such as reclosers, voltage regulators, tap changer
compartments, oil circuit breakers and station
service transformers. In 2012, Hydro sampled
50 units, none of which contained greater than
50mg/kgofPCB.Thisequipmentwillberemoved
from service prior to the regulated 2025 deadline.
NewfederalPCBregulationsbroughtintoeffectin
2008 focused on removal of higher concentration
PCBequipmentfromservicebyplanneddates
andmorerestrictivehandlingofPCBwaste.
Thelimitsforidentifyinghigh-concentrationPCBs
werealsoloweredtoanyequipmenthavingaPCB
concentration greater than 500 mg/kg.
In2012,Hydro’sTRODivisioncontinuedto
followitsPCBphase-outplanthatwassubmitted
to Environment Canada in 2010 under a Section
33(2) extension permit. Each year, there are
slight revisions to the plan as work priorities
change. In 2012, TRO discovered five pieces of
sealedequipment,undertheextensionpermit,
thatwereremovedandhadaPCBconcentration
of 500 mg/kg or greater.
ChurchillFallscontinuedtorefineitsPCBphase-
outprogramin2012.Additionalequipmentand
information was added to the database to ensure
thatallequipment50mg/kgandgreaterPCBs
is removed from service by 2025.
ChurchillFallscontinuedwithitsannualPCB
training program, with minor updates, for all
personnelhandlingandtransportingPCBs.
The program ensures that all personnel
areawareoftherequirementsunderthe
TransportationofDangerousGoods(TDG)
Regulations,PCBRegulations,StorageofPCB
Wastes Regulations, Certificate of Approval for
thePCBStorageBuilding,EquivalencyCertificate,
and local EMS Standard Operating Procedures.
In 2011, 21 surge capacitors, removed from the
Bayd’EspoirHydroelectricGeneratingStation
that had been granted an extension permit
by Environment Canada, were transported
toacertifiedPCBdestructionfacilityin2012
and destroyed.
NalcorsubmitteditsfourthsetofonlinePCB
reportsunderthePCBRegulationsfortheyear
2012fortheBishop’sFallsPCBWasteDisposal
Waste Management
222012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
Facility,theChurchillFallsPCBFacilityandthe
Bayd’EspoirHydroelectricGeneratingStation.
Reports were submitted under Sections 33(2)
and33(3)ofthePCBRegulations.
HydrooperatesoneapprovedPCBwaste
storagefacilityatitsBishop’sFallsareaoffice
and inventory storage yard. See Table 1 for
PCBmaterialinstorage,sentfordisposaland
destroyedasofDecember31,2012atthe
Bishop’sFallsPCBWasteStorageFacility.
ChurchillFallsoperatesoneapprovedPCBwaste
storage facility. Table 2 provides an inventory of
PCBmaterialinstorage,sentfordisposaland
destroyedasofDecember31,2012.
PCB Material in Storage, Sent for Disposal and Destroyed (Bishop’s Falls PCB Waste Storage Facility)
2012 Tonnes
TotalinventoryofPCBmaterial(50-500mg/kg)instorage 1.7
TotalinventoryofPCBmaterial(>500mg/kg)instorage 0
TotalinventoryofPCBmaterial(50-500mg/kg)sentfordisposal 11
TotalinventoryofPCBmaterial(>500mg/kg)sentfordisposal 1.5
TotalamountofPCBmaterial(50-500mg/kg)destroyed 0.9
TotalamountofPCBmaterial(>500mg/kg)destroyed 0.75
Table 1: PCB material in storage, sent for disposal and destroyed as of December 31, 2012 at Bishop’s Falls.
PCB Material in Storage, Sent for Disposal and Destroyed (Churchill Falls PCB Waste Storage Facility)
2012 Tonnes
TotalinventoryofPCBmaterial(50-500mg/kg)instorage 1
TotalinventoryofPCBmaterial(>500mg/kg)instorage 0
TotalinventoryofPCBmaterial(50-500mg/kg)sentfordisposal 1.8
TotalinventoryofPCBmaterial(>500mg/kg)sentfordisposal 0
TotalamountofPCBmaterial(50-500mg/kg)destroyed 1.2
TotalamountofPCBmaterial(>500mg/kg)destroyed 0.1
Table 2: PCB material in storage, sent for disposal and destroyed as of December 31, 2012 at Churchill Falls.
232012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
Location Used Oil Type Volume (litres)
DieselPlants lubricating oil 33,342
Hydroelectric Generating Stations lubricating oil 12,918
HTGS lubricating oil 19,305
HTGS oil/water mixture 63,515
Bishop’sFalls insulating oil 102,873
Churchill Falls lubricating and insulating oil 4,175
Churchill Falls oil/water mixture 19,100
Exploits Generation lubricating oil 3,900
Menihek Generating Station lubricating oil 1,230
Menihek Generating Station Insulating oil 2,050
Table 3: Volumes and types of used oil collected by location.
REUSE AND RECYCLING INITIATIVES
USED OIL
Nalcor has a waste oil management system for
handling and disposing of used oil. On an annual
basis, facilities record the amounts of used oil
generatedandnewoilpurchased.Usedoilis
stored in either 205 litre drums or storage tanks
and collected by a certified waste oil handler
for either recycling or reuse. Table 3 summarizes
used oil information by location, used oil type
and volume collected.
242012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
AtHydro’scentralmaintenancefacilityinBishop’s
Falls, insulating oil from transformers brought in
for servicing, is collected in oil storage tanks and
processedforrecyclingifsuitable.Ifthequality
of the oil is not suitable for recycling, the oil is
collected by a certified waste handler for proper
disposal. In 2012, 101,710 litres of insulating oil
taken from transformers was recycled. Only 1,163
litres was disposed of as waste, which represents
99 percent recycling of insulating oil at the central
maintenance facility in 2012.
WOOD POLE LINE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
As part of its transmission line network, Hydro
manages approximately 26,000 poles of varying
age. Wooden poles have an in-service lifespan
of 50 years and with proper management,
maintenance and refurbishment the life can be
extended by 10 years or more. Core samples
taken from some poles in 1998 indicated that the
preservativeretentionlevelwasnotadequate.
As a result, Hydro initiated a Wood Pole Line
Management Program in 2003 and it is expected
to continue as a long-term asset management
and life-extension program. In 2012, Hydro
treated 1,717 poles with boron rods to provide
extra protection and to extend the in-service life
expectancy of new poles. Since the start of the
program, about 22,362 poles have been treated.
FUEL ASH DISPOSAL AT HOLYROOD GENERATING STATION
During2012,allfuelashproducedattheHolyrood
Generating Station was disposed of in an on-site,
controlled, solid waste landfill. The amount of total
ash produced and disposed of at the landfill in
2012 was 241 tonnes. This amount is up slightly
from the amount of ash disposed in 2011.
SCRAP METAL AND BATTERY RECYCLING AND REUSE
During2012,Hydrodecommissioned298distribution
transformers and two voltage regulators, all of
whichcontainednon-PCBoil.Thetransformerswere
drained and sold to a transformer manufacturer
for reuse, while the voltage regulators were sold
to a local scrap metal dealer. There were also 179
terminal station batteries taken out of service and
sold to a scrap dealer for recycling.
252012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
WASTE MANAGEMENT STUDY
TheEnvironmentalServicesDepartmenthas
worked with staff at the Holyrood Generating
Station, Hydro Generation and the central regional
officeinBishop’sFallstoimplementnewwaste
management initiatives. Each of these areas are
now participating in the Call2Recycle program,
whereby rechargeable batteries (lithium ion,
nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride and small
sealed lead acid batteries) and cell phones are
collected and sent to a recycling program funded
by product manufacturers.
In2012,HydroGeneration’sBayd’Espoir
powerhouse complex completed a solid waste
study. The study evaluated solid waste generation
and the current recycling program to identify
options to reduce waste generation and divert
solid waste from the landfill. The waste reduction
options included implementing:
• Anenvironmentalpurchasingpolicy
• Fibreandmixedcontainerrecycling
• Metalfoodcontainerrecycling
• Compostingoforganicfoodandyardwastes
• Installinghanddryersandremovingpaper
towels from washrooms or installing
levered dispensers
• Removingallpapercupsfromlunchrooms.
The study also recommended developing an
environmental committee to oversee current
and upcoming waste diversion programs and
to implement a training program to boost
participation rates. All recommendations in the
waste study will be evaluated in 2013 and shared
with all operational areas at Nalcor for possible
implementation. Similar studies may occur in
other operational areas in the future, if the
completed solid waste studies prove to be
beneficial and result in waste reduction.
262012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
The very nature of Hydro’s work to generate and
transmitelectricityrequiresthesafehandling
and use of a variety of potential environmental
contaminants such as fuel oils, lubricating oils and
chemicals. Each year, Hydro uses approximately
300 million litres of fuel to generate electricity.
The company strives to reduce the potential
for leaks and spills.
Beingpreparedforsuchanincidentiscritical
tomountingaquickandeffectiveresponseto
minimize impacts on people and the environment.
Nalcor Energy and its lines of business have
developed Environmental Emergency Response
Plans(EERPs)toquickly,effectivelyandsafelydeal
with such incidents. All personnel who handle or
work around petroleum products receive training
related to the EERP and, where applicable, specific
operating procedures have been developed to
facilitate the safe handling of the products used.
Nalcor’s lines of business had a total of 12 reportable
spill and leak incidents in 2012: Hydro reported
eight; Churchill Falls reported two; and Menihek
Generation reported two. The approximate volume
for all reportable spills was 758 litres. All but one
reportable spill involved petroleum products or its
derivatives. One reportable incident at Churchill Falls
involved the release of 12 kilograms of refrigerant.
Two releases accounted for approximately
587 litres of lubricating oil that was spilled or leaked.
Six releases involved spills or leaks of transformer
insulating oil with an approximate volume of 145
litres. Two of these incidents involved the release
of28litresofPCBcontaminatedoil.Oneincident
involved a leak of approximately 25 litres of #6 fuel
oil. One incident involved a spill of a total of one litre
ofhydraulicoilfrommobileequipment.
It should be noted that staff responded promptly to
allspillsandleakswithspillresponseequipment.
Contaminated materials were collected in suitable
containers for appropriate disposal. Appropriate
sampling was also undertaken, where applicable,
toensureadequateclean-upwascompleted.
In some incidents, independent site professionals
were engaged to manage the spill clean-up,
soil sampling and spill closure. Table 4 outlines the
details of Nalcor’s more significant spill incidents.
2012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
Spills and Other Incidents
272012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
Date Source Volume Response/Status
March 10LubricatingoilreleasedfromUnitno.3 at the Menihek Generating Station.
585 L
The leak occurred when unit no. 3 was in operation and oil escaped through the runner blades. The unit was shutdown and dewatered. An investigation revealed the need to replace the seals on several runner blades. No oil was recovered as the leak occurred over time when the unit was in operation.
March 20
TransformerinsulatingoilwithaPCBconcentration of 200 mg/kg was released from a transformer in Happy Valley-GooseBay.
27 L
A power surge caused a bushing explosion on a distribution transformer. The transformer and contaminated snow were placed in overpack drums prior to being sent for destruction by a certified hazardous waste company. An independent site professional was engaged to manage and document the clean-up for spill response closure.
May 2NonPCBtransformerinsulatingoilleaked from a transformer stored at the Port Saunders storage yard.
70 L
An oil stain was identified during an inspection of the transformer storage ramp. The cause of the leak was found to be around a rusted area on the transformer body. The transformer and stained snow were placed in drums for oil recovery and disposal. After snow melt, further investigation revealed an area of contaminated soil. The contaminated soil was removed, sampled and appropriately disposed of by an independent site professional.
Table 4: Details of Nalcor’s more significant spill incidents.
282012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
TRO OIL SPILL TRENDS ANALYSIS
Nalcor continues to focus on eliminating spills and
leaks from its fuel storage systems and operating
andelectricalequipment.Detailedinformation
related to reportable and non-reportable spills
and leaks are maintained and these are reviewed
annually for trends and concerns. If trends are
identified, preventative actions are considered and
implemented to address the concerns.
Forexample,inHydro’sTRODivision,trendswere
identified in hydraulic oil hose breaks from aerial
lift devices in 2012. To help prevent these types of
incidents,TRO’sfleetservicesidentifiedequipment
forincreasedinspectionfrequency.TROhavealso
identified trends from leaks and spills from pole
top transformers and have an ongoing program
of inspection and replacement of transformers
with evidence of corrosion.
CHURCHILL FALLS SPILL PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
One of the ongoing programs in 2012 was the
completion of an action plan to further improve
the Churchill Falls powerhouse spill response and
prevention measures. This plan was a continuation
of spill prevention and response measures target
that Churchill Falls management have been
working on for the past several years. However,
it is a significant milestone because once all of
the actions within this plan are completed, all
identified prevention and response efforts will
have been implemented.
Over the past several years, Churchill Falls has
focused a significant effort into limiting the
likelihood of any oil being discharged into the
Churchill River from the powerhouse. The focus
has been to improve the response measures
in place through the installation of oil water
separators in the powerhouse, the purchase
ofspillresponsematerialsandequipmentand
the implementation of prevention and response
procedures. Churchill Falls wanted to make sure
thatequipmentandprocedureswereinplace
to prevent and respond to oil spills to the tailrace
and Churchill River and that, at a minimum,
theequipmentandproceduresmettheindustry
standard. Churchill Falls completed a study in 2010
that compared its spill prevention and response
measures with other similar large hydroelectric
facilities that are also located in northern climates
with large moving water bodies at the tailrace.
As a result of the study, spill prevention and
responsetechniquesuniquetothechallenging
conditions in Churchill Falls were determined.
The 2012 action plan closes gaps that will meet and
even exceed what was determined to be industry
standard. Spill prevention actions include reviewing
and communicating standard operating procedures
for drainage sump monitoring and maintenance
and improving drainage sump infrastructure such
as installing skimmers and a redundant low level
pump switch. Spill response actions included the
purchaseofadditionalmaterialsandequipment,
and a consultant review of the spill response plan.
The work done on improving the spill prevention
and management program in recent years, and
thesubsequentworkrecommendedfor2013and
beyond, reinforces the commitment to minimize
therisksandpotentialconsequencesofspills
entering the Churchill River from Churchill Falls.
292012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
In 2000, Hydro implemented an ESA program for all
properties it owns or operates. The ESA process the
company follows is illustrated in Figure 2.
Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) and Remediation
Figure 2: Environmental Site Assessment Process
List of Sites
Phase III
No Further Work Required
No Further Work Required
Notification to Stakeholder
Notification to Stakeholder
Regulator Input
Remediation Action Plan
Remediation Contract Management
CriteriaCriteria
Criteria Regulator Input
Confirmatory Sampling
Phase I Phase II
Notification to Stakeholder
Regulator Input
Risk Assessment Remediation
No Further Work Required
Completion
Remediation Phase
Assessment Phase
Communication and Input
Reporting
Annual Report
302012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
TheobjectivesoftheESAprogramareto:
• Evaluatethepotentialfor
environmental contamination
• Undertakesamplingtocharacterize
and delineate any contamination
• Assessthepotentialrisksandliabilities
associated with any contamination identified
• Identifysitesrequiringmonitoring
or remediation
• Developandimplementremediation
programs when necessary.
Following the recommendations of previous
ESA-related work at Hydro, the following
are noteworthy points related to the
2012 ESA program:
• CompletePhaseIIassessmentswere
performed at four sites
• AsupplementalPhaseIIwascompleted
at two sites
• Freeproductremediationwascompleted
at one site
• Ahumanhealthriskassessment
was completed at one site
• Additionaldelineation,soilandgroundwater
sampling and monitoring programs were
continued or completed on five properties
• Therewerealsotwohazardousmaterial
assessments completed.
In 2012, the Churchill Falls ESA program
continued at seven sites (five sites were located
in remote areas while the other two sites were
located within close proximity to the town site)
with the following highlights:
• Completedongoinggroundwatermonitoring
and free product recovery at four sites
• Additionaldelineationwithmonitoring
well installations at two sites
• Soilremovalandcappingatonesite
• Somelocationshadmonitoring
wells decommissioned.
Nalcor completed a Phase II Environmental Site
Assessment on eight Exploits Generation facilities
located throughout central Newfoundland
andLabrador.ThesitesincludeMillertownDam,
Bishop’sFallsPowerhouse,TransmissionLine,
BuchansUpperDam,BuchansPowerhouse,
Goodyear’sDam,FirstFallsandGrandFalls-
Windsor Powerhouse. The 2012 ESA was
completed as a follow up to a Phase I ESA
carried out at the site in 2009.
The company’s ESA program continues to be
successful in identifying and managing the
potential environmental contamination associated
with Nalcor’s past and present operations.
Phase l — review of information and records,
site visit and interviews
Phase II — characterization of a site for
physical aspects and potential contamination
Risk-based corrective action (RBCA) —
a methodology that identifies a site-specific
target level of contamination that has an
acceptable risk to human health
Remediation — site cleanup to a specified
regulatory standard
312012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
FISHERIES COMPENSATION WATER RELEASE
In 2012, as part of long-term agreements with
theDepartmentofFisheriesandOceans,Hydro
released approximately 149 million cubic metres
of water at its fisheries compensation facilities.
ThewaterreleasedatWhiteBearRiver,GreyRiver,
GraniteCanal,UpperSalmonandHind’sLakewas
performed at established times throughout the
year for habitat protection and fish migration.
Becauseoftheisolatednatureoftheisland’s
electrical system, lost hydroelectric energy
production associated with these water releases
under normal conditions must be provided by
thermal generation from the Holyrood Generating
Station.Theamountofthermalproductionrequired
to offset the amount of water released in 2012 was
nearly 45 GWh. When the 2012 thermal conversion
rate and average cost of fuel are considered,
theequivalentvalueofthewaterreleasedatall
fisheries compensation facilities was approximately
$8.6 million. This resulted in a potential increase of
161 tonnes of sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions and
37,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
RAPTOR PROTECTION PROGRAM
For more than 20 years, Hydro has managed a
raptor protection program. In keeping with Nalcor’s
EMS and the corporate Environmental Policy and
Guiding Principles, surveys are undertaken by
Hydro’sEnvironmentalServicesDivisiononthe
transmission lines in Labrador for the presence
of active raptor nests. This is an annual survey
undertakeninconsultationwiththeDepartment
ofEnvironmentandConservation,WildlifeDivision.
These nests are primarily osprey, with smaller
numbers of northern ravens, red tailed hawks and
bald eagles. Surveys are undertaken early in the
egg-laying stage of the breeding season at which
time nests that would be active for the year are
usually occupied or show signs of occupancy.
Surveys were undertaken in late June 2012
and found a total of 168 nests on the three
transmission line corridors in Labrador. On the
island transmission grid, 32 active nests were
identified on various structures. This data was
provided to work crews in Labrador immediately
following completion of the surveys to allow
2012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
Species and Habitat Diversity
322012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
for planning of maintenance activities on these
transmission lines. Structures with active nests
are avoided until after the breeding season,
usually after August 15. This allows line crews
to avoid potential negative impacts on these
species during the critical periods within
the breeding regime, which in turn ensures
compliance with wildlife legislation regarding
migratory birds in Newfoundland and Labrador.
RAMEA BIRD MONITORING SURVEY
As part of the release from the Environmental
Assessment process, the Canadian Wildlife Service
requiredapost-constructionbirdmonitoring
program at the Nalcor Energy Ramea wind-
hydrogen-diesel facility. A 23-month bird
monitoring program was completed between
May 2010 and April 2012. The methods used
adhered to Environment Canada’s Canadian
Wildlife Service protocols for such monitoring.
The program involved two years of monitoring
toquantifyavianutilizationandmortalityin
the area encompassing the three turbines and
at a comparable control site. It included weekly
surveys from April to November and monthly
fromDecembertoMarch.Carcassdetectionand
scavenger removal experiments were completed
eachseason.Birdcarcassesinthestudyareawere
recovered during and following the early morning
point count surveys.
The study results were positive. The number of
birds in the turbine study area and the control
site were consistent. A seasonal trend of increasing
numbers of birds from winter through fall was
found at both locations. There was no seasonal
variation in collisions or for flights within
50 metres of turbines. Rotor activity did not
affect the number of flights close to the turbines.
Estimated collision rates were comparable to
known collision rates for terrestrial turbines.
The study results were also compared to the
pre-construction bird study from 2007 and the
results of the two were consistent.
GLENBURNIE DISTRIBUTION LINE UPGRADE
TheGlenburnieDistributionLineUpgradeinvolved
the rebuilding of approximately 18.5 kilometres
of single pole, three-phase distribution line along
the foothills of the Tablelands within Gros Morne
NationalPark,aUNESCOWorldHeritageSitesince
1987. The original line, built in 1968, traverses
someofthemostuniquehabitatonearth,along
one of the most spectacular view planes within
the province, and it is one of the most visited
areas within the Park.
332012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
Original plans in 2008 proposed the replacement
of more than one hundred poles and hardware
in the existing 170 pole line and keeping the line
inthesamecorridor.Thiswouldrequirealternate
generation in the community of Trout River
and numerous customer outages; it would also
requireatwo-yearperiodtocompletebecause
of the sensitivity of the flora and surrounding
habitat.Workingwithconstructionequipment
in this area also presents a significant challenge
for environmental protection.
After further research and planning by Hydro’s
EnvironmentalServices,ProjectExecution
andTechnicalServicesDepartmentsandin
consultation with staff at Gros Morne National
Park, the original plan was changed to
completelyrebuildtheexistinglineadjacent
the main road to Trout River.
Themainobjectivewastorebuildthedistribution
line to the community of Trout River to address
reliability and accessibility concerns. Additional
objectivesalsoincludedbuildingthenewline
asquicklyandefficientlyaspossiblesoasnotto
interfere with visitors to the park during the prime
tourism period and rebuilding the line away from
sensitive species and habitat within this region
of the park. In doing so, Hydro would also be able
to remove the old line and substantially improve
the view plane of the Tablelands (Figure 3).
Figure 3: A segment of the old line to Trout River along the foothills of the Tablelands before the upgrade.
342012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
Moving older distribution lines out of
environmentally sensitive areas, where possible,
is not a new innovation for Hydro. This approach
hasbeensuccessfulwhentakingonotherprojects
on the Northern Peninsula in recent years.
Environmental considerations are an important
factor,butsometimesitisjustsimplythesafety
and economic concerns that make this approach
more feasible than trying to replace structures
in older and remote lines. Some existing aging
infrastructure predates integrated planning
processes and awareness of local environmental
sensitivities. Application of appropriate planning
processes can provide for improvements over and
above those associated with the primary goal of
infrastructure replacement.
Hydro worked closely with Parks Canada to plan
and execute this work in a manner that was
beneficial to the residents of Trout River. It also
provided long-term easy access to structures
along this line and removed structures from one
ofthemostuniqueviewplaneswithinthepark
and some of the most significant geological
formations on earth (Figure 4). In doing so, Hydro
has shown a strong continued commitment to
continual environmental improvement as well as
consideration for the environmental sensitivity and
biodiversity of the Tablelands.
As an ISO 14001 certified company, Hydro strives
to be an environmental leader. In particular,
Hydro’s platform for continued environmental
performance is embedded in the Environmental
Policy and Guiding Principles and is sustained
through the ISO-certified Environmental
Management System. The environmental
sensitivities related to the Glenburnie distribution
line have been a limiting factor to the
maintenance and upgrade of this line. Focus on
environmental performance improvement was the
deciding factor in rerouting this distribution line so
that it is more accessible. The terrain and habitat
alongthefoothillsoftheTablelandsareuniquein
many ways. Hydro’s awareness of these factors
meantthatthisprojectcouldbeexecutedwith
minimal environmental impact.
As the controlling authority for Gros Morne
National Park, the Western Newfoundland and
LabradorFieldsUnitofParksCanadawasthe
most important stakeholder with which Hydro
engagedforthisproject.Itwasveryimportant
to Hydro to meet with Parks Canada in the early
planning stages and present them with an outline
of the work we had planned. It was through this
engagement that Hydro was able to determine
that issues surrounding the presence of rare or
uncommon plant species were the main concern.
Hydro was also able to call upon expertise within
Parks Canada to help determine where the most
sensitive areas were located. This involvement
allowed Hydro to select pole locations that would
not interfere with these species and to avoid areas
whereanybrushclearingwouldberequired.
Subsequently,therewerenotreescutaspartof
this upgrade or with the removal of the old line.
EquallyimportanttoGrosMorneNationalParkwas
the view plane of the Tablelands. Input from staff
at Parks Canada was very important in determining
where Hydro could start the reroute along the
road to Trout River to avoid obstructing one of
the most photographed sections of the park.
The main outcomes for Parks Canada included:
352012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
Figure 4: Looking west along the road to Trout River after the upgrade.
• Aneasilyaccessiblenewlinefor
future maintenance
• NoneedforHydrototraverseaverysensitive
anduniqueareawithheavyequipment
• AnunobstructedviewplaneoftheTablelands
• Anenhancedvisitorexperience(Figure4).
The planning and execution of this work was
consistent with the Parks Canada Management
Plan for Gros Morne National Park. For the
community of Trout River, the upgrade has meant
a reliable and secure power supply and a reduced
risk of outages during winter storms.
Hydro, similar to many Canadian electric utilities,
has an expanding capital program associated with
the replacement of aging existing infrastructure.
Some of this infrastructure was put in place prior
to the establishment of some significant pieces
of environmental protection legislation relating
to environmental impact assessment and species
at risk. As well, knowledge of environmental
sensitivities and environmental protection
practices have changed considerably since this
original infrastructure was developed. Application
of today’s environmental planning tools when
planning for aging infrastructure replacement
can provide opportunities for improvements over
andabovethebasicobjectivesofinfrastructure
upgrades. The replacement of the Glenburnie to
Trout River distribution line is an example of where
such planning allowed significant improvements
for Hydro, Parks Canada, the community of Trout
River and visitors to Gros Morne National Park.
The planning and execution of this upgrade has
been a great success for Hydro and for Parks
Canada.Thisprojectdemonstratedahighlevel
of commitment by Hydro to the protection of
362012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
the environment wherever work is undertaken.
It allowed the public to see how a well-planned
projectinaverysensitiveareacouldbe
accomplished with the right approach. Visitors
from all over the world come to Gros Morne
National Park and the response from visitors to
this upgrade was very positive. The attention
to detail by Hydro and the contractor during
thisprojectshowedastrongcommitmentto
environmental protection and this has helped
Hydro solidify a positive working relationship
with the staff at Gros Morne National Park.
PRESERVING THE ATLANTIC SALMON RUN
Exploits Generation staff manage a very
successful Atlantic salmon diversion system
on the Exploits River in Central Newfoundland.
InpartnershipwiththeDepartmentofFisheries
and Oceans, fish biologists and the Environmental
Resource Management Association (ERMA),
anAtlanticsalmonenhancementprojectthat
started in the early 1960s has seen the natural
adult salmon run grow from 1,200 strong to an
adult incoming run in the range of 40,000 today.
Every year, spring runoff brings with it adult
salmon that have migrated downstream from
their spawning grounds. Some of these adult
salmon will enter the power canal at the Grand
Fallshydroelectricplant.Barrierspreventthe
salmon from entering the power generation
turbines once they reach the power canal.
Without assistance, they can be delayed in their
annual migration downstream.
Exploits Generation staff begin visually
monitoring the power canal at the end of April
when water temperatures begin to rise. Through
a cooperative effort that started in 1997, local
fishermen and Exploits Generation employees
remove salmon from the power canal and
transport them downstream.
In 2012, approximately 31,000 adult salmon
migratedupstreamofBishop’sFallsintovarious
tributaries of the Exploits watershed. In the upper
reaches of the Exploits River, the number of adult
fishthatpassedMillertownDamincreasedfrom
an average of 250 to 1,500. Efforts in 2013 will
focus on getting a better understanding of the
relationship between attraction flow and fish
passageatMillertownDam.
The Exploits River continues to get international
attention for its success story around Atlantic
salmon and in 2012 Exploits Generation produced
a video that depicted Nalcor’s role in the safe
passage of Atlantic salmon smolt to the ocean.
The video also speaks to the positive outcomes
of the great cooperation with ERMA who operate
the fishway and salmonoid interpretation center
at Grand Falls during the passage of the upstream
migrating salmon.
372012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
WIND PROJECTS PROVIDE GREEN ENERGY TO ISLAND CONSUMERS
Hydro is demonstrating its commitment as an
environmental leader. In 2009, in an effort to
reduce emissions from burning fossil fuels,
Hydro increased its renewable generation. Hydro
has power purchase agreements for 54 MW of
clean, renewable wind energy on the island of
Newfoundland. The integration of wind power
in Newfoundland has broadened Hydro’s energy
mix and allowed the company to continue
providing electricity at a reasonable cost.
Wind generation is an environmentally friendly,
pollution-free and endless source of energy.
It is clean and leaves a small environmental
footprint on the province. On the island,
wind generation will help reduce fossil-fuel
generation at Hydro’s thermal generating
station in Holyrood. On average, the annual
environmental benefits from the wind farms
in St. Lawrence and Fermeuse are:
• Reductioninfuelconsumption
by about 310,000 barrels
• Reductioninsulphurdioxideemissions
by over 660 tonnes
• Reductionincarbondioxideemissions
by over 160,000 tonnes
• Generationofgreenenergyforthe
equivalentofupto13,100homes.
WIND-HYDROGEN-DIESEL ENERGY PROJECT
While the province has an abundance of
renewable resources, many coastal isolated
communities rely on diesel-fueled generation
systems for electricity generation. In its efforts to
reduce reliance on fuel-fired generation, Hydro
hasbuiltoneofthefirstprojectsintheworld
to integrate generation from wind, hydrogen
and diesel in an isolated electricity system. The
Wind-Hydrogen-DieselEnergyProjectinRamea
isaresearchanddevelopmentprojectthatuses
renewable energy sources to supplement the
dieselrequirementsoftheislandcommunity.
Thisuniqueprojecthasattractedattentionfrom
around the world. Hydro continues to promote
2012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
Alternative Energy
382012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
the renewable energy and energy storage
benefitsoftheprojectthroughpresentations
atvariousworkshopsandconferences.During
2012, commissioning work was completed on
theEnergyManagementSystemandtheproject
moved into the operational phase. In 2013,
operational data will be collected and analyzed.
The collected data will be used to optimize
and improve the performance and efficiency
of the system. This operational data will play
a very important role in determining how the
technology used in Ramea can be effectively
used in other isolated electrical systems.
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY STUDY UNDERTAKEN IN COASTAL LABRADOR
Hydro is also investigating renewable energy
sources for diesel communities. In late 2011,
throughajointventurewiththeGovernment
of Newfoundland and Labrador, $3.4 million
was allocated to further study small-scale
hydroelectricprojectsandconductan
assessment of the wind resource for some
Labrador coastal communities.
Throughout 2012 to 2015, Hydro will complete
further analysis of possible hydro generation
sites and wind power potential in this region.
The hydroelectric study is focused on possible
hydroelectric sites near Mary’s Harbour,
Port Hope Simpson, Charlottetown, Makkovik
and Hopedale. The wind resource study is
focused on wind power potential near Cartwright,
Makkovik, Hopedale and Nain.
This initiative is guided primarily by the two
mainobjectivesoutlinedintheNewfoundland
and Labrador Energy Plan: protection of the
environment through the reduction of
emissions and the development of energy
projectsinthebestlong-terminterestsof
residents of the province.
392012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
INTERNAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Hydro’s Internal Energy Efficiency Advisor
conducts energy use tracking, walkthrough
audits of facilities, supports the evaluation of
energyefficiencyoptionsforcapitalprojectsand
provides education on energy use to employees.
In 2012, several energy efficiency retrofits were
implemented for a predicted annual savings of
278 MWh. Several of the retrofits in 2012 focused
on implementing temperature set back control
and lighting retrofits in select line depots and
garages. These types of buildings have minimal
insulation and high wattage heaters; as well,
they do not typically reduce space temperatures
when unoccupied. The retrofits converted all T12
fluorescent lighting to more efficient T8 fixtures,
and heaters are now automatically controlled
based on an occupancy schedule.
Hydro successfully retrofitted all lighting in the
BlackTickleDieselGenerationStation.Theplant
provides power for the isolated community
ofBlackTickle.Thisretrofitsawmetalhalide
lighting in engine halls converted to high-output
T5 fixtures and then placed on occupancy sensor
control. All T12 fluorescent lighting in the facility
was converted to more efficient T8 fixtures
and also placed on occupancy sensor control.
Many benefits in addition to energy savings
were noted by operators, the most notable of
whichwasthefactthatthequalityoflightand
level of brightness increased in the engine hall,
eliminating the need for them to use flashlights
tocheckgaugesandequipment.Giventhefact
that T5 lighting technology has proven itself
in the harsh environment of Hydro’s diesel
generating plants, the company will be collecting
site information throughout 2013 to begin the
process of performing similar retrofits in all its
diesel plants.
THE ISOLATED SYSTEMS ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM
Hydro’s Isolated Systems Energy Efficiency
Program was designed to gain energy savings
in homes and businesses, engage the local
community and retailers in awareness building,
create a conversation about efficiency and energy
Energy Efficiency and Conservation
2012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
402012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
use and further enhance participation in other
existing rebate programs that offer assistance for
larger retrofits and can provide larger savings for
the customer.
This program is offered to residential and
commercial customers in Hydro’s isolated diesel
systems and the L’Anse au Loup system. Hydro
engaged a consultant to deliver this program,
using a number of delivery strategies to
engage residential and commercial customers.
It is estimated that this initiative will result in
estimated annual savings of 1,549 megawatt-
hours per year.
Contracted representatives from the communities
provided local delivery of these efforts. The
largest is the direct install effort, where the
customer receives the technology in their home
orbusinessatnocost.Duringthedirectinstall
visit, customers also received information on
energy usage and efficiency options. In 2012,
there were 1,355 direct completed. The installs
included: CFLs, hot water heater pipe insulation,
hot water tank wrap, weather stripping, low flow
showerheads,waterconservationitemsandLED
Exit sign retrofit kits among other technologies
for the small commercial market.
In addition to the direct installs, mail-in rebates
were offered for select appliances and at-cash
retail coupons were also available for additional
small technologies such as CFLs, thermostats
and other products. Local retailers were
engaged through the coupon offerings as well
as providing other events for product exchanges
and giveaways including exchanging
incandescent seasonal light strings for
efficientLEDseasonallighting.
Cross promotion of the existing takeCHARGE
Energy Savers Rebate programs was a strong
componentoftheprojectaswell,whichenabled
increased activity through existing home retrofit
programs. Commercial customers were also
encouraged to engage in the newly launched
IsolatedSystemsBusinessEfficiencyProgramas
a way to gain further energy savings with a new
custom program that provides cents/kwh saved
fromretrofitprojects.
A Community Energy Representative for Hydro’s
Isolated Systems Energy Efficiency Program helps
a homeowner save energy and save money with
the free installation of energy efficient products.
412012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
Nalcor is dedicated to the promotion of
environmental awareness and preservation
ofNewfoundlandandLabrador’sunique
environment. A priority for Nalcor is to
build and cultivate partnerships with
other agencies and organizations to
achievecommonenvironmentalobjectives.
These partnerships maximize human and
financial resources to generate a body of
knowledge and experience that can be
used for environmental decision-making
in a variety of applications.
CONSERVATION CORPS NEWFOUNDLANDAND LABRADOR
Since 1996, Nalcor and Hydro have supported
25 Green Teams through Conservation Corps
Newfoundland and Labrador’s Green Team
Program, employing almost 100 youth and
contributing about $340,000 to support local
employment opportunities for youth throughout
theprovince.ThoughthetwoprojectsinHappy
Valley-GooseBayandFlower’sCovein2012
had a different focus, they all shared a common
goal, as do all Green Teams, which is to provide
meaningful youth employment opportunities
with an environmental and cultural focus.
2012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
Committed to Our Communities
422012 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
HAPPY VALLEY – GOOSE BAY TEAM: MUD LAKE WALKING TRAIL DEVELOPMENT
HappyValley-GooseBay’sGreenTeam,sponsored
by Nalcor and in partnership with the Town of
HappyValley–GooseBay,workedonthetrail
development started in 2010 and continued in
2011. The team built upon the work completed
by the 2010 Green Team and continued work on
the Mud Lake Walking Trail, finishing a seven-
km walkway system along the Churchill River,
clearing brush, planting trees, and providing
scenic rest areas along the trail.
FLOWER’S COVE: SANDY COVE PROVINCIAL ECOLOGICAL RESERVE RESTORATION
In Flower’s Cove, the Team was sponsored by
Hydro and engaged in restoration activity at
Sandy Cove Provincial Ecological Reserve.
The team worked to increase public awareness
oftheLong’sBrayapopulationinSandyCove,
by conducting a number of Environmental
Awareness Events that focused on both the
limestonebarrensandtheLong’sBraya.
TheteamalsoassistedMUNresearcherswitha
specialrestorationprojectattheLong’sBraya
site in Sandy Cove. This is one of the final
stagesinaprojectthathasbeencarriedout
by a number of Green Teams in recent years.
The team also conducted community land
use surveys in the areas of Savage Cove,
Sandy Cove, Flower’s Cove and Anchor Point,
which will provide valuable information to groups
and municipalities working to save the Long’s
Brayaandthelimestonebarrens.
ENVIROTHON NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
Envirothon is an environmental education
competition for youth that raises awareness of
environmental issues through hands-on learning
andoutdoorcompetitionsinfivesubjectareas:
AquaticEcology,Forestry,SoilsandLandUse,
Wildlife; and a Current Environmental Issue (selected
annually). The 2012 special topic was Nonpoint
SourcePollution/LowImpactDevelopmentand
the Environthon took place April 26-28, 2012 in
Bishop’sFalls.Thiscompetitionisorganized
by Model Forest Newfoundland and Labrador,
a not-for-profit corporation working on the
implementation of activities that advance sustainable
forest management and community-based economic
developmentutilizingforestresources.DeerLake’s
Elwood High School Envirothon Team, Enviropedia,
the winners of the 2012 provincial competiton,
represented Newfoundland and Labrador in
Selinsgrove,Pennsylvania,USAattheCanon
Envirothon. Hydro has been a proud supporter
of this initiative for several years and in 2012
continued its support as a bronze partner.
TROUT UNLIMITED CANADA
In 2012, Nalcor donated $10,000 to Trout
UnlimitedCanada(TUC),anorganization
committed to conserving, protecting and
restoring Canada’s freshwater ecosystems
and their cold water resources for current and
futuregenerations.TUC’sworkincludesstream
restoration, scientific research and education.