OPG in the Community Update – September, 2018

by Fred Kuntz

Roll out the pumpkins! It’s Pumpkinfest time, this Sept. 29-30 weekend in Port Elgin. Ontario Power Generation proudly presents the OPG Environment Tent, where you can see the Plug ‘N Drive exhibit for the newest advances in electric vehicles. Inside the tent, don’t miss Mad Science, thrilling kids big and small with hands-on activities and science demonstrations to spark the imagination.  

Fighting phragmites: To keep invasive phragmites in check at the Western Waste Management site in Kincardine, OPG recently deployed drones to collect data that will help control the unwanted plant’s growth. Invasive phragmites, also known as European common reed, is an extremely aggressive plant listed as restricted under Ontario’s Invasive Species Act. As part of OPG’s Onsite Biodiversity Program, the company successfully mapped an affected wetland area, called Baie du Doré. Data collected will help shape an effective plan to deal with the invasive plant in a combined effort with Bruce Power.

Working Together: OPG and Bruce Power work hand-in-hand to provide low-cost electricity to Ontario families and businesses. The two companies recently released their 2018 collaboration report, Powering Ontario Together, describing the many ways they collaborate. “By working together and sharing information, OPG and Bruce Power are improving efficiencies on our respective refurbishment programs and throughout our nuclear station operations,” said Jeff Lyash, OPG President and CEO.

Around Ontario:

  • On time, on budget: OPG and its project partners are now past the half-way mark on the Unit 2 Darlington Refurbishment schedule, with 65 per cent of the work complete — all safely executed with a record that is ten-fold better than the construction industry average. For more information, you can read our latest Darlington Refurbishment Quarterly Report.
  • Jobs for Indigenous people: OPG’s fall edition of Power News is now posted online, bursting with interesting stories. For example, you can read about the company’s new Indigenous Opportunities in Nuclear (ION) program. Through ION, OPG is working with Kagita Mikam, an Indigenous employment and training agency, to place 10 Indigenous employees a year within OPG or in other areas of the nuclear industry over the next two years. The ION application process includes security clearance and additional training in nuclear professionalism.