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The Lucknow Sentinel, 2014-12-31, Page 11Wednesday, December 31, 2014 • Lucknow Sentinel 11 Bruce Power Delivers in 2014 Distemper Increase in Local Raccoons Submitted It was another busy year at Bruce Power, as the world's largest operating nuclear facility provided over 30 per cent of Ontar- io's energy at 30 per cent less than the average cost of electricity. Bruce Power also played a key role in the province's energy mix and contributing to the economy in a positive way through jobs and investment. Duncan Hawthorne, President and CEO stated, "Every day, our employees use innovative techniques and made -in -Ontario tech- nologies to produce safe, reliable and carbon -free electricity for the people of the province, and we are committed to continuing this over the long term." The following are some of Bruce Power's accom- plishments in 2014. The company invested over $200 million in pri- vate dollars into publicly owned reactors, during three planned mainte- nance outages. These maintenance investment programs help to increase the reliability and extend the life of Bruce Power's units. Bruce Power played a key role in Ontario's deci- sion to shut down its coal- fired generation plants, providing 70 per cent of the electricity the province needed to do so. The final coal facility in Ontario was closed in early 2014. Bruce B was the top per- forming multi -unit CANDU plant in the world and was recognized inter- nationally being awarded the Institute of Nuclear Power Operators (INPO) award of excellence in rec- ognition of its world-class performance. In doing so, Unit 5 surpassed 500 days of continuous operation. The unit, one of the top performing CANDU reac- tors in the world, played a key role in the success of Bruce B in 2014, which provided over 15 per cent of Ontario's electricity. Bruce A achieved its first full calendar year of four - unit operation since the units were removed from service in the 1990s. These units are an essential com- ponent to getting off - and staying off - coal genera- tion in Ontario. The 6,300 megawatts of total genera- tion from the Bruce Power site is supported by Hydro One's new Bruce -Milton Transmission Line. All eight units at Bruce Power provided up to 2,400 megawatts of flexible, emissions -free generation to the Ontario market to manage changing supply and demand, duplicating many of the dynamic attributes that coal used to provide the Ontario market. Bruce Power forged a $300 million agreement with B&W Canada, which will see the Cambridge company supply important services for all Bruce Power units, to meet the company's ongoing opera- tional needs. The agree- ment will allow B&W Can- ada to continue to be a major employer, providing highly skilled jobs within the Kitchener -Waterloo - Cambridge region and throughout southwestern Ontario. The company also signed an agreement to supply Cobalt -60 from the Bruce B reactors to Nor- dion, an Ottawa -based company that sterilizes 40 per cent of the world's sin- gle -use medical devices and equipment. A new public education website was launched to highlight this innovative partner- ship: cleannuclearpower- safehospitals.com. Partnerships formed in 2014 helped to create more awareness around the importance of Bruce Power and nuclear energy in Ontario. The Economic Impact Study, 'Affordable Power. Jobs & Growth,' was a joint report with business and union partners that outlined the billions in jobs and economic invest- ment refurbishing Bruce Power's six remaining reactors would represent. The company also teamed up with the Asthma Society of Canada to release the 'Clean Air Ontario' report, which looked at how Bruce Power played a key role in the province shutting down coal plants. Bruce Power was awarded a gold level certi- fication for excellence in Progressive Aboriginal Relations from the Cana- dian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB). This is the highest level of recog- nition offered by the CCAB and Bruce Power is one of only 12 companies in Can- ada to receive the designa- tion. The company also teamed up with the Blue - water District School Board and the Martin Abo- riginal Education Initiative to offer an innovative edu- cational program for local Aboriginal youth. In the community, Bruce Power invested about $1.5 million in events and organizations through its Sponsorship and Commu- nity Investment Program. This included a multi-year donation of $2 million to support health care infra- structure improvements throughout the region. Bruce Power also awarded $50,000 in post -secondary scholarships to 100 stu- dents from Bruce, Grey and Huron counties. The scholarship recipients cel- ebrated at a breakfast with Duncan Hawthorne before heading back to school. Bruce Power advanced educational initiatives in 2014, including Version 2 of its iPad and iPhone apps, the collaboration with EnergyMobile for the GridWatch app, which pro- vides up-to-the-minute electricity supply mix information, as well as the Ontario's Nuclear Advan- tage campaign, an out- reach initiative that high- lights the strength and benefits of Ontario's nuclear industry. The com- pany also donated iPads to libraries in Bruce, Grey and Huron counties to help explain Ontario's electricity sector. The company also rein- troduced site tours for the first time since 2001. Four bus tours were held each week in July and another two tours were added to each week of August to help meet demand, with over 1,900 participants. Bruce Power Direct launched a conservation product for Ontario busi- nesses, which will help them better understand and manage their energy use, benefitting both the balance sheet and the environment in the pro- cess. The online tool is called the 'Bruce Power Saver.' Learn more at www. brucepowerdirect.com/ powersaver. Huron County Health Unit The number of raccoons testing positive for distem- per in Huron County has increased, especially in the northwest area of the county. The Huron County Health Unit reminds resi- dents to stay away from raccoons and other wild animals. Distemper is caused by a virus that is easily trans- mitted between raccoons and between raccoons and unvaccinated family pets such as cats and dogs. Distemper can cause a respiratory infection and watery eyes in affected ani- mals. The animal may start to wander, look disoriented, approach humans or behave strangely. Affected animals can die from distemper. Although distemper can- not be transmitted to humans, Public Health Inspector Patrick Landry reminds residents that rac- coons with distemper can bite and scratch people who get too close. "We recommend that people stay away from wild animals, including rac- coons," says Landry. "If you suspect that an animal is sick or injured, or if you see an animal behaving strangely, contact your local animal control officer." Do not leave food out as it may attract raccoons. Pet owners should make sure pets are vaccinated against distemper. get it . ne lucknowsentinel.com Get all of your news, sports and more. Serving Lucknow and surrounding area Do you experience body pain? Look to your FELT.... ))- Build a Better Foundation Stop by for FREE Foot Analysis Heel Pain - Plantar Fasciitis Knee & Hip Pain Improved. Posture Better Balance We will also be showcasing softie other health products: Alkali Ifineral Moroi World:if Best Arthritic Cream Call us if you have any questions. 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