APMA ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIPS WITH SOLAR DEVELOPERS

APMA has announced partnerships with Northland Power Inc. and Arise-Ledcor Renew to bring rooftop solar power installations to the automotive industry.

The Ontario feed-in-tariff (FIT) program offers long term stable pricing for energy generated by renewable energy sources. The program is designed to reduce Ontario's dependence on fossil fuel based energy and accelerate investment in renewable energy.

APMA recognizes the financial and environmental benefit that this program offers the industry and, as a result, has opted to partner with two leaders in the solar PV field, Northland Power Inc. and Arise-Ledcor Renew.  These partnerships will help deliver the program while reducing the associated risks and efforts for automotive suppliers.

To learn more about the program and how you can participate, see APMA's Press Release HERE.

APMA ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECT

APMA and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) are working together to help members reduce their energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Most APMA members should save at least 5% to 7% of their energy costs with minimal expense through this program. Benefits include:

• Cost savings
• Improved energy efficiency
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions

The program includes:

• Complete energy inventory of your facility
• Use of a new, secure website that calculates carbon footprint, provides numerous energy saving calculations, energy inventory and access to funding programs
• Training and in-plant support
• Assistance in recruiting and covering costs of skilled students and professionals to get your inventory done and start identifying and implementing energy saving opportunities

Click here for Energy Efficiency Program Brochure

Contact pcorbyn@apma.ca for more information.

ONTARIO GREEN ENERGY ACT

The Province of Ontario passed the Green Energy Act on May 14. The Act focuses on building energy efficiency and increasing the amount of renewable energy in the province.

While we commend the government for moving in this direction, we are concerned that this will likely further increase energy costs over and above the current increases we experience.

That said, we believe that the government and OPA need to develop programs that streamline the funding of energy efficiency projects and make them financially viable.

Read the APMA position on the Green Energy Act, as presented to the Legislative Committee on April 8, 2009.

Read the proposed Green Energy Act

REG 419 AIR STANDARDS

The MOE is moving forward on the development of new and updated air standards. The process in which they are developing new standards is of great concern to industry as it moves away from a harmonized provincial/federal approach (greater cost and complexity to comply). Some of the proposed standards go beyond was is practical to achieve, yet are standards that are already accepted by the federal government via a Chemicals Management Plan that is one of the most stringent processes in the world.

At present, MOE is looking at new standards for the following substances: Nickel, Chromium, Benzene, PAHs, 1,3 Butadiene, Dioxins, Manganese & Compounds, Arsenic, Mercury & Compounds, Copper & Compounds, Vanadium & Compounds, Ethylene, Zinc & Compounds, Toluene and Uranium.

If you use any of these substances, you need to be aware of this process.

See the MOE Reg. 419 Alternate Standard Process Stakeholder presentation, April 1, 2009

Read an April 14 joint industry association news release regarding this process