By: Deanna McArthur
The Fairmount Chateau Lake Louise (FCLL) has been doing its part for the environment by teaming up with Alberta’s own Bow Valley Power (BVP) to offset its annual electricity usage.
In 2017, FCLL purchased 5,500 Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from BVP as part of its sustainability goals, representative of 5,500 MW of electricity usage.
“FCLL is committed to sustainability and the fight against climate change,” said Savina Caporali, Regional Director, Sustainability. “The Chateau purchases 50% of its electricity from wood biomass generated green power and has installed various energy efficient heating sources. Between 2014 and 2015, we decreased both the Chateau’s use of propane by 11%, and our electrical consumption by 3.5%.”
This isn’t the first time Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise has chosen to green its electricity consumption, in fact this is the sixth year they have worked with BVP. Over the six years, a total of 33,000 RECs have been retired, equivalent to 33,000 MW of electricity.
Since it takes about 820 grams of CO2 to produce 1 kWh of electricity in Alberta, the 33,000 RECs purchased from BVP helped Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise reduce their carbon footprint by over 27,000 tonnes of CO2!
“The Chateaus’s total energy consumption is monitored on a monthly basis,” said Caporali. “We also conserve electricity through energy-efficient lighting in approximately 80% of our operations. An example of this is the Mt. Temple Meeting Facility which is equipped with motion sensor lighting in lower use areas and all of our exterior holiday lighting consists of energy efficient LED lights.”
One of the main sustainability goals of FCLL is to innovate and create new standards in its industry, and its CLL 5 Green Key Eco Rating truly speaks to its sustainability efforts. The global Green Key Eco Rating system is designed to recognize hotels, motels, and resorts that are committed to improving their environmental and fiscal performance.
“The Chateau was the very first hotel in Canada to receive a 5 Green Key rating in 2005, the highest possible rating in the program,” said Caporali. “We are so proud to announce that FCLL has once again received a rating of 5 Green Keys for 2016.”
BVP, an Energy Marketer offering competitive prices for electricity, natural gas and green energy, has been helping organizations in Alberta green their operations since 2012 and was the first Energy Marketer in the province to offer green power to its customers.
“I believe it is important for Albertans and other organizations to green their energy consumption because it shows a commitment to a sustainable future for everyone,” said Cody Belsher, Managing Partner of BVP. “More people buying green means more money flowing into the green energy market, which will increase the industry’s ability to grow and advance. Greening your electricity load is a simple, low-cost way of helping the environment.”
Some examples of other organizations partnering up with BVP include:
“Green as much or as little as you want,” said Belsher. “No customer is too big or too small.”
It’s not only businesses that have the opportunity to green their electricity consumption, the option is also available to residential and farm customers of Bow Valley Power. To learn more about greening the grid click here.
These determined, young entrepreneurs chose to utilize Utility Network and Partners Inc. (UTILITYnet) Energy Marketer program to start their journey into Alberta’s energy market.
“We are very grateful for our relationship with UTILITYnet and Green Alberta Energy,” said Belsher. “They have been with us since day one of our entrepreneurial journey. The power market can be a daunting place for two young guys like us but having such a supportive team to help us along the way makes a world of difference.”
Since its inception, BVP has been able to offer customers across the province top notch local customer service, senior discounts on energy, affordable green energy rates, and more.
“We are really proud of the impact Bow Valley Power has had on encouraging Albertans to help green the grid,” said Nick Clark, co-founder of UTILITYnet. “Being able to offer talented individuals like Cody and Riley an opportunity to break into the competitive energy market is very important to us. The sky is the limit for Bow Valley Power.”
Belsher agrees that the sky is the limit, and he has big plans for his company.
“In 5 years I would like to see Bow Valley Power as the largest provider of green power offsets in Alberta. I would like to see a larger percentage of our customers choosing to offset and for going green with power to be the norm.”
To learn more about BVP or to start greening your energy consumption today, click here.
In 2017, FCLL purchased 5,500 Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from BVP as part of its sustainability goals, representative of 5,500 MW of electricity usage.
“FCLL is committed to sustainability and the fight against climate change,” said Savina Caporali, Regional Director, Sustainability. “The Chateau purchases 50% of its electricity from wood biomass generated green power and has installed various energy efficient heating sources. Between 2014 and 2015, we decreased both the Chateau’s use of propane by 11%, and our electrical consumption by 3.5%.”
This isn’t the first time Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise has chosen to green its electricity consumption, in fact this is the sixth year they have worked with BVP. Over the six years, a total of 33,000 RECs have been retired, equivalent to 33,000 MW of electricity.
Since it takes about 820 grams of CO2 to produce 1 kWh of electricity in Alberta, the 33,000 RECs purchased from BVP helped Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise reduce their carbon footprint by over 27,000 tonnes of CO2!
“The Chateaus’s total energy consumption is monitored on a monthly basis,” said Caporali. “We also conserve electricity through energy-efficient lighting in approximately 80% of our operations. An example of this is the Mt. Temple Meeting Facility which is equipped with motion sensor lighting in lower use areas and all of our exterior holiday lighting consists of energy efficient LED lights.”
One of the main sustainability goals of FCLL is to innovate and create new standards in its industry, and its CLL 5 Green Key Eco Rating truly speaks to its sustainability efforts. The global Green Key Eco Rating system is designed to recognize hotels, motels, and resorts that are committed to improving their environmental and fiscal performance.
“The Chateau was the very first hotel in Canada to receive a 5 Green Key rating in 2005, the highest possible rating in the program,” said Caporali. “We are so proud to announce that FCLL has once again received a rating of 5 Green Keys for 2016.”
BVP, an Energy Marketer offering competitive prices for electricity, natural gas and green energy, has been helping organizations in Alberta green their operations since 2012 and was the first Energy Marketer in the province to offer green power to its customers.
“I believe it is important for Albertans and other organizations to green their energy consumption because it shows a commitment to a sustainable future for everyone,” said Cody Belsher, Managing Partner of BVP. “More people buying green means more money flowing into the green energy market, which will increase the industry’s ability to grow and advance. Greening your electricity load is a simple, low-cost way of helping the environment.”
Some examples of other organizations partnering up with BVP include:
- Donated enough RECs to offset the Calgary Sunalta Community Hall’s annual electricity load
- Donated enough RECs to offset the last three years of the Banff Marathon
- Donated RECs to offset the Ride of the Mustang fundraiser at George McDougall High School in Airdrie
“Green as much or as little as you want,” said Belsher. “No customer is too big or too small.”
It’s not only businesses that have the opportunity to green their electricity consumption, the option is also available to residential and farm customers of Bow Valley Power. To learn more about greening the grid click here.
Entrepreneurs Dedicated Greening the Grid
Born in Canmore, Alberta where the community has a strong connection and commitment to the environment, Bow Valley Power’s goals and offerings have always been influenced by its hometown customers.These determined, young entrepreneurs chose to utilize Utility Network and Partners Inc. (UTILITYnet) Energy Marketer program to start their journey into Alberta’s energy market.
“We are very grateful for our relationship with UTILITYnet and Green Alberta Energy,” said Belsher. “They have been with us since day one of our entrepreneurial journey. The power market can be a daunting place for two young guys like us but having such a supportive team to help us along the way makes a world of difference.”
Since its inception, BVP has been able to offer customers across the province top notch local customer service, senior discounts on energy, affordable green energy rates, and more.
“We are really proud of the impact Bow Valley Power has had on encouraging Albertans to help green the grid,” said Nick Clark, co-founder of UTILITYnet. “Being able to offer talented individuals like Cody and Riley an opportunity to break into the competitive energy market is very important to us. The sky is the limit for Bow Valley Power.”
Belsher agrees that the sky is the limit, and he has big plans for his company.
“In 5 years I would like to see Bow Valley Power as the largest provider of green power offsets in Alberta. I would like to see a larger percentage of our customers choosing to offset and for going green with power to be the norm.”
To learn more about BVP or to start greening your energy consumption today, click here.