Celebrating a century

Union Gas is celebrating its centennial by giving back to the communities it serves.

Formed in 1911, the Ontario-based company has been distributing natural gas in Northwestern Ontario for about 50 years.

“It’s an opportunity for us to thank our community partners for the work that they’ve done with us over the years,” said Northwest district manager Glenn Burton. “In any utility or any business, it’s not all about what you do, it’s about what you do with the other businesses and partners in town.”

This year Union Gas is giving up to $10,000 to organizations in each district with environmentally friendly initiatives. In the Northwest District, the company donated $7,500 to EcoSuperior’s Green Roof Project at their centennial celebration Friday outside the company’s local office on Amber Drive.  

“For our company, the environment has been a current emphasis in ensuring we’re playing our role in making sure that the environment is protected and we do our part as a community partner,” said Burton.

“All of the improvements we do on both capital and on an operating basis, the environment is an integral part of the decisions we make of what type of service we’re going to provide.”

Union Gas has been working with EcoSuperior since the organization’s inception 15 years ago and has continued their support throughout the years, said Ellen Mortfield, executive director for EcoSuperior.

She said the $7,500 will cover most of their materials and labour for the Green Roof Project.
A green roof is a living roof, she added.

“You’ve got a roof with a special membrane on top.  You’ve got a soil layer, a gravel layer and actual plants growing on the roof,” she said. “It not only absorbs rain water, it also insulates and provides some energy benefits, too.”

The green roof will go on top of a timber-frame storage shed in Central Natural Environment Gardens on Central Avenue and Mortfield said she hopes the project inspires people in Thunder Bay to try out a green roof on their own garage or backyard structure.

As Union Gas continues to commemorate their 100th anniversary throughout the year, – the company officially turns 100 on Dec. 19 - Burton said the company will continue to engage in new technology to keep providing services to their customers.

In Thunder Bay, they’re also working towards converting the coal-burning generating station on Mission Island into a natural gas plant.

Burton said construction will begin on the conversion in 2013.

“This year we’re doing all the preparatory work for that, which means doing an extensive environmental assessment,” he said.

Union Gas serves 87,000 customers and employs 143 people in the Northwest District.