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One: Low-carbon Future
2019 & 2020 Sustainable ElectricityTM Annual Report Electricity Canada
The Five Pillars Three: Building Relationships
Electricity Canada’s principles for Engagement of Indigenous peoples are: • Respecting Indigenous culture, traditional values, and rights; • Nurturing constructive relationships; • Enhancing communications; • Fostering Indigenous capacity building; and, • Promoting economic prosperity.
“The direction in the further development in Indigenous relations has been increasing in focus within the Canadian electricity sector these past two years. Electricity Canada has developed National Indigenous Engagement Principles, where Electricity Canada has been a tremendous leader and facilitator to its members to respect these principles throughout the sector.” – Wayne Rude, Chair, Electricity Canada Indigenous Relations Committee.
In 2020, 100% of Electricity Canada members had formal stakeholder engagement policies and processes for identifying stakeholder concerns. In 2019, the economic value of formalized relationships with Indigenous communities was at its record high of $1,135M, as seen in Figure 5. Figure 6 shows the percentage of members that have formally identified local Indigenous groups within their service area.
The value of formal relationships with Indigenous communities from Electricity Canada members in the years 2018, 2019, and 2020 ($MM).
2019 & 2020 Sustainable ElectricityTM Annual Report Electricity Canada
The Five Pillars Three: Building Relationships
Figure 6:
Percentage of members that have formally identified local Indigenous groups within service area.
Enhancement of the Customer Experience
Electricity Canada has been a leader in the utility sector for 130 years and will continue to lead by understanding our customers’ expectations and taking steps every day to try to meet them. As sector members continue their efforts to successfully renew the electricity grid, customers can be assured that consideration of the triple-bottom line of people, planet and profits are made throughout the industry. Some of these efforts can be seen in the member testimonies below.
Support for Low-Income Customers
The COVID-19 pandemic has put an economic strain on many Canadians, challenging some in making their utility payments. Electricity Canada will continue to advocate for, and work with, sector members to ensure that all Canadians have access to safe and reliable electricity, no matter their financial situation. To support low-income customers, 55% of members have voluntary programs that are not mandated by their home province. Further, 32% of these members provide help for low-income customers in response to government requirements.
Areas of Improvement
The Sustainable ElectricityTM Program will continue its work to assess the industry’s overall adherence to the national principles for engaging Indigenous peoples, and to establish a path for continuous improvement by completing the Indigenous Relations Pilot Project and implementing the resulting recommendations.
2019 & 2020 Sustainable ElectricityTM Annual Report Electricity Canada
The Five Pillars Three: Building Relationships
Member Testimonies/Success Stories on New Initiatives and Activities for Building Relationships
ATCO NB Power
Supporting Indigenous Communities' Energy Independence
More than 1,500 km northwest of Fort Chip, the Old Crow solar project in Yukon with the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation was integrated into the Old Crow microgrid in 2020. Now, the community benefits from approximately 100 days of electricity production from the project in the summer months of each year. While the Vuntut Gwitchin owns the solar panels, ATCO buys the solar energy, feeds it into the grid and redistributes it to the community. It’s a win-win, and a model for collaboration in the utilities sector. There are many other examples of ATCO’s work with Indigenous communities that support their energy independence. ATCO provides turnkey solutions for Montana First Nation to develop a 5-megawatt (MW) solar farm and to the Dene Tha’ First Nation for a 92-kW solar project. It engineered, procured, constructed and commissioned both solar projects, which are now owned and operated by the respective First Nations. Sometimes ATCO’s work with an Indigenous community begins with addressing a specific need and then grows to become something more. Sunchild First Nation engaged ATCO to design and implement a 100-kW solar array on the roof of their school. The renewable project offsets the school’s energy needs and has inspired a new project, starting with a feasibility study for a much larger 2.5-MW solar project that would be installed on the ground. ATCO is also working with several other Indigenous communities to conduct feasibility studies for cleaner energy solutions. Engaging with our First Nations Communities
NB Power believes in building long-term, mutually beneficial working relationships with surrounding First Nations communities based on a foundation of respect, inclusion and responsiveness. Proactive engagement and consultation with First Nations communities is important to ensure potential adverse impacts to Indigenous rights are understood so that they may be appropriately avoided or mitigated. One effort during 2019/2020 has been around securing additional engagement and consultation agreements with Kopit Lodge representing Elsipogtog First Nation as well as the Peskotomuhkati Nation. Discussions expanded beyond the topics of projects to include information about our operations, strategies and programs.
In addition, NB Power rolled out computer-based training and conducted several other activities to increase awareness and understanding of First Nations cultures among all of our employees.
The First Nations Affairs team developed and follows a strategic approach approved by NB Power’s executive. Based on three interdependent pillars, it is in direct alignment with Call to Action #92 of the Truth and Reconciliation report.
Yukon Energy
Prioritize Relationships with Indigenous Peoples and First Nations Communities
“Yukon Energy has always prioritized Indigenous engagement through its project assessment processes. Yukon energy is continuing to prioritize their new and existing relationships with Indigenous peoples and First Nations communities by having more engagement and participation going forward. To follow suit of having more involvement throughout the whole life cycle of the project, Yukon Energy projects it will have full or partial ownership by Indigenous groups, going forward.” – Andrew Hall, President & CEO, Yukon Energy, Chair, Board of Committee on Sustainability, Electricity Canada.
2019 & 2020 Sustainable ElectricityTM Annual Report Electricity Canada
The Five Pillars Three: Building Relationships
Northwest Territories Power Corporation
Working in Communities During the COVID-19 Pandemic
In 2020, NTPC adapted its health and safety management system in compliance with Government of the Northwest Territories’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Several safe-work practices were developed in response which include: COVID-19 Prevention and Control; Working in Plants & Communities During a Pandemic; Working at Hydro Sites During Pandemic; and, Working in Offices During Pandemic. In collaboration with communities, a key focus was put on communication prior to any out-of-territories contractors accessing any NTPC site. This includes getting permission from each non-isolation community before sending any staff. The Three Pillars are:
1. Engagement Focuses on building relationships both internally and externally with First Nations groups and communities. Through relationships established with consultative representatives and consultation agreements, meaningful engagement and consultation occurs.
2. Education, Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity Focuses on educating NB Power’s organization on understanding and appreciating the culture of First Nations and improving communication and relationships.
3. Employment Focuses on facilitating employment and capacity building opportunities for First Nations. When possible and practical, it enables members to continue to reside in their home community as well as include community members as (sub)contractors when practical.
2019 & 2020 Sustainable ElectricityTM Annual Report Electricity Canada
The Five Pillars Four: Risk-Management Systems
Figure 7:
Total annual priority emissions from Electricity Canada members for the years 2018, 2019, and 2020. Risk-management systems are a cornerstone of effective management within all member utilities. The utilities must have systems in place to support identification and mitigation of adverse environmental impacts, implementation of precautionary measures for the health and safety of employees and public members, and integration of physical and cyber-security of managed assets. Sustainable ElectricityTM Leaders must ensure adherence to risk-management systems that prioritize climate risk and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Environmental Stewardship
Electricity Canada members have lowered their priority emissions each year, reaching their lowest numbers in 2020 with 165.84 tonnes of annual SO2, 88.24 tonnes of annual NOx, and 458.74 kg of annual mercury emissions, as seen in Figure 7. Priority emissions of sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and mercury are associated with conventional coal facilities, which are in the process of being phased out by 2030. These emissions are expected to decrease dramatically in the coming years in comparison to the operational reduction we have been witnessing over the last few years.
Electricity Canada describes a priority spill as a petroleum spill that is over 500 litres, a spill containing PCBs over 1g, or any volume of petroleum based or PCB contaminated substance that enters a water body. There have been 423 priority spills in the 2019 reporting year, and 273 priority spills in 2020.
2019 & 2020 Sustainable ElectricityTM Annual Report Electricity Canada
The Five Pillars Four: Risk-Management Systems
Employee, Contractor and Public Health and Safety
There has been increasing focus on the comprehensiveness and completion of incident reporting and data collection from Electricity Canada and its members. There has been an increase in injury/ illness frequency rate in 2019-2020 and the lost time due to injury/ illness has gone up.
Electricity Canada members have increasingly been investing in outreach and education programs for the public that are focused on the safety risks associated with the electricity system, and more specifically, the hydroelectric facilities. Members are dedicated to maintaining rigorous safety management systems and internal standards to keep their employees, contractors, and the public safe.
Security Management Systems and Standards
Renewal, modernization, decarbonization, and diversification of the electricity sector will bring tremendous social, environmental, and economic benefits to Canadians. It will also reveal opportunities to create new partnerships and new ways to manage cybersecurity risks. An example of such a partnership is Ontario’s adoption of the Independent Electricity System Operator’s security operations centre which provides accountability for providing cybersecurity-related services. Electricity Canada is also working to strengthen its partnership with other sectors: “Electricity Canada has been resilient when working with the iron triangle of cybersecurity: banking, telecommunications and electricity. Their resiliency is a foundation to ensure reliable security for all Canadians through all three industries.” – Francis Bradley, President & CEO, Electricity Canada.
Areas of Improvement
The Sustainable ElectricityTM Program can consider how to better understand and communicate the sector’s ongoing efforts to address Climate resilience, and cyber and physical security challenges.
2019 & 2020 Sustainable ElectricityTM Annual Report Electricity Canada
The Five Pillars Four: Risk-Management Systems
Member Testimonies/Success Stories on New and Successful Implementation and Outcomes of Risk-Management Systems
EVOLUGEN
Helping Mitigate Invasive Species Under Transmission Lines in British-Columbia
Employees at the EVOLUGEN Powell River office coordinated with the City of Powell River, BC Hydro and a volunteer group known as ‘BroomBusters’ to mitigate Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius). Scotch broom is an invasive plant that has become particularly problematic in Powell River throughout the south coast of British Columbia. There are many issues associated with this plant, specifically damaging and potentially displacing native plants as well as limiting the movement of native animals due to its density. Additionally, Scotch broom poses a serious fire hazard risk as expressed by public safety officials in the region.
The City of Powell River Fire Chief, Terry Peters, credited Evolugen and BC Hydro in assisting to mitigate the biggest threat for the spread of wildfire along the community’s power lines. An estimate 5,000 hours or more were spent in mechanically removing and curtailing this very dangerous invasive plant in Powell River and surrounding areas.
EVOLUGEN’s goal is to totally clear the area under our transmission lines of invasive species, with lush, low-growing, native vegetation in order to outcompete the tall vegetation that can interfere with transmission infrastructure. In addition to removing all the Scotch broom in the first section of the transmission line, EVOLUGEN mowed this area to ground. This was done to start to create a beautiful greenspace in the city considering that the road along the transmission line is already used by the public for walking and bike riding.
It was also anticipated that the low vegetation will discourage illegal dumping along the corridor, where it has historically been used to dump yard waste and garbage. By removing all of the vegetation and cleaning up the discarded materials and removing the invasive species growing from the yard waste dumping, the area is already much more desirable, and the dumping has stopped.
2019 & 2020 Sustainable ElectricityTM Annual Report Electricity Canada
The Five Pillars Four: Risk-Management Systems
Saint John Energy
Storm Preparedness Awareness
Storm Preparedness Week, Nov. 1-7, was an opportunity to remind New Brunswickers of the need to be ready in case of an emergency. The week was recognized by the provincial government and its New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization (NBEMO) along with partners like NB Power, Saint John Energy and the Canadian Red Cross.
Saint John Energy led a social media campaign with NB Power, NBEMO, Red Cross to share what the public can do to be prepared for winter storms. FortisBC
Avian Protection Measures and Osprey Nest Management Program
Avian protection measures including migratory bird nest protection and osprey nest relocation programs are incorporated into FortisBC power line and right-of-way construction and maintenance projects. Various avoidance, reduction and control management tools are implemented to protect migratory birds including bird protection measures, collision mitigation measures and nest management. The Osprey Nest Relocation Program is implemented when osprey build nests on live power poles; the nest is safely removed and an alternate pole with a suitable nesting platform is provided.
The Osprey Nest Management Program, is essential because osprey nest predominently on human infrastructure and interact regularly with FortisBC infrastructure in this manner. FortisBC has a well-established Osprey Nest Prevention and Relocation Procedure and holds a multi-year General Wildlife Permit, under the BC Wildlife Act, in order to appropriately manage osprey interactions with electricity infrastructure for the safety of the osprey as well as FortisBC system.
An Osprey Management Activities report is compiled and provided to the permitting authority every fiveyears, prior to the renewal of the General Wildlife Permit.FortisBC has installed over 70 nest platforms to-date to provide alternative nesting locations. In combination with the installation of nesting deterrents, this has reduced the interactions between osprey and active electricity structure infrastructure, as well as reatly reduced the number of required nest relocations. The most recent relocation took place in 2016.
To heighten awareness of osprey and the Osprey Management Program, FortisBC installed a camera on a visible nest in the City of Kelowna, B.C. The live-streaming of the nesting Osprey has been a focus of public interest for over a decade.
https://www.fortisbc.com/about-us/environment/ osprey-management-program
Mike Marsh, President & CEO, SaskPower
2019 & 2020 Sustainable ElectricityTM Annual Report Electricity Canada
The Five Pillars Five: Business Excellence
Figure 8:
Percentage of participation from Electricity Canada members in the use of innovation and technology advancement for the years 2019 and 2020. The business excellence of Electricity Canada members is not only captured in financial reporting, but also through their engagement with regulators, supply chain partners, stakeholders, and internal staff. The promotion and recognition of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) is crucial for a company’s talent retention and recruitment. In addition to ensuring member company employee groups represent the communities they are operating in, Electricity Canada member companies have always taken employee needs to heart. Having the capacity to quickly meet employee needs in times of disruption, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, is the result of continued focus on business excellence and improvement.
“As COVID-19 hit Saskatchewan in March of 2020, SaskPower made the transition for 2000 employees to work from home in 4 days, providing them with assets, secure networks, and everything they needed to do their job remotely.” – Mike Marsh, President & CEO, SaskPower
Adaptability and resilience of critical electric infrastructure during the past few years has been noted by many Canadians through Electricity Canada member utilities. The same excellence within Electricity Canada member utilities that enabled such adaptability and resilience, positions utilities to develop and integrate clean, innovative, commercially viable energy solutions such as green hydrogen, and other biofuels into the growing Canadian electricity grid. Electricity Canada supports Canadian utilities to integrate these types of technologies into their systems whenever possible.
Canadian utilities have a rich history of research and development and have always been key drivers for investment in transformation of the electricity system. For many years, Electricity Canada member utilities have increased investment in innovative technologies, as well as implementation of these technologies, as can be seen in Figure 8.
