Caledon opts for green power

Municipal officials say Caledon is the first in Ontario to have its municipal office powered strictly by Bullfrog Power, the province's only 100 per cent green electricity retailer.

The town of 57,500 has signed a contract with Bullfrog, which takes effect May 1. During the year-long pilot project, the municipality expects its electricity reduction targets will offset the three-cent-a-kilowatt premium associated with buying green electricity produced by wind and water.

"We want to live up to our designation as the Greenest Town in Ontario," said Councillor Richard Paterak.

Last summer, council endorsed an Environmental Progress Action Plan endorsing greenhouse gas reduction targets. Caledon belongs to the Green Building Council and is a member of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Partners for Climate Protection.

"We have a strong commitment to environmental initiatives... so purchasing green power was a natural fit," said Sara Peckford, the town's environmental progress officer.

Toronto-based Bullfrog Power buys power exclusively from wind and low-impact hydro generators meeting or exceeding the federal government's standard for renewable electricity.