New RBC retail banking and insurance locations to be green
powered
TORONTO, September 21, 2007 — RBC today announced
a significant initiative to reduce the environmental impact
of its Canadian operations by expanding its commitment to
purchase clean, renewable green power for all new locations
expected to open across the country throughout 2007 and 2008.
This initiative will boost RBC's green energy consumption
to more than 7,000 megawatt hours.
By the end of 2008, more than 70 retail banking and insurance
locations across the country will be powered by clean, renewable
sources that meet Environment Canada's EcoLogoM standard.
"We have a responsibility to our clients, our communities
and our employees to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and seek
out opportunities to preserve and protect the environment,"
said James Westlake, head of Canadian Banking. "Using
green power in our new locations, encouraging clients to switch
to e-statements, and decreasing our own energy and paper consumption,
are a few ways in which RBC is further reducing our operational
footprint and reinforcing our environmental commitment."
RBC is also integrating green building practices into new
leased facilities. For example, the RBC Centre under construction
in Toronto will use deep lake water cooling and will include
an under floor air distribution system and a rainwater re-use
system. By taking ongoing steps to cut energy consumption
and stepping up the use of green energy, by the end of 2008
RBC expects to reduce greenhouse gases by over 5,000 tonnes
annually, and other harmful emissions by more than 20 tonnes
annually.
As part of this initiative, RBC announced it is renewing
and expanding its current contract with Bullfrog Power for
new retail locations to be opened in Alberta and Ontario.
RBC currently purchases green power from Bullfrog Power for
23 locations in these provinces.
"RBC's commitment to use renewable energy sources demonstrates
its leadership role in sustainable business practices,"
said Tom Heintzman, president, Bullfrog Power. "RBC was
the first financial institution in Canada to purchase green
power from Bullfrog in 2005 and we are proud to help them
continue to create a cleaner, healthier environment for their
clients."
Bullfrog Power is a leading provider of 100 per cent green
electricity. Founded in 2005, Bullfrog provides homes and
businesses in Alberta and Ontario with an easy way to go green
and help create a cleaner, healthier environment for future
generations. All of Bullfrog's power comes from clean, renewable
sources like wind power and low-impact water power that displace
polluting and carbon-intensive sources like coal. Bullfrog
sources power exclusively from generators that have received
Environment Canada's Environmental ChoiceM Program EcoLogoM
certification. Thousands of Canadian homeowners and hundreds
of businesses have made the decision to become "bullfrogpowered™"
and support the generation of clean, renewable power.
RBC is considered one of Canada's most respected corporations
and leading employers, and is recognized among the world's
financial, social and environmental leaders. RBC was named
Canada's Best Corporate Citizen in 2007, and is included on
the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, the Jantzi Social Index,
the FTSE4Good Index, and the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations
ranking. In 2007, Newsweek magazine ranked the company first
among large corporations worldwide for its ability to manage
environmental risks and opportunities. The company produces
an annual Corporate Responsibility Report outlining its sustainability
performance.
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For more information, please contact:
Beja Rodeck, RBC Media Relations, 416-974-5506, beja.rodeck@rbc.com
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