2001 Triple Bottom Line Report - BC Hydro

M A N A G I N G
BC Hydro has developed management systems and operating policies to integrate environmental considerations into our day-to-day
activities. Among the mechanisms and processes in place are environmental audits, a range of environmental management systems
and programs to manage specific areas of concern such as fish and animal habitat, materials, waste management and sulphur
hexafluoride (SF6 ) gases. Measures to minimize and manage impacts continue to be developed, implemented and refined as required.
All our business units are in the process of implementing
environmental management systems (EMS) as part of our efforts
to operate British Columbia’s power system in a sustainable
manner. An EMS helps us systematically and consistently
manage our activities in an environmentally responsible manner
across the organization. Systems are based on ISO 14001, recognized
worldwide as a standard for environmental management.
BC Hydro began formalizing an EMS in 1995, when development
of our first system was initiated. We now have one integrated
EMS for all of BC Hydro, consisting of three distinct business
areas and an overarching corporate-level EMS.
EMS efforts continued last year in parallel to other critical
initiatives associated with change management, green energy,
sustainability and related concerns. We also expended considerable
effort reviewing and fine-tuning systems already in place.
Status of individual components varies, as follows:
I M P A C T S
E N V I R O N M E N T A L M A N A G E M E N T S Y S T E M S
• Our Corporate EMS was endorsed by BC Hydro's President
and CEO in December 1999 and completed its first business
cycle in 2000. Review, analysis and stakeholder feedback last
year prompted senior management to confirm BC Hydro’s
Environmental Responsibility Policy adequately reflected our
E N V I R O N M E N T A L B O T T O M L I N E | 3 4
ECO-EFFICIENCY
GREEN ENERGY
MANAGING IMPACTS
environmental commitments, that key environmental issues
and aspects were correctly identified, and that the Corporate
EMS was suitable and effective for carrying out the policy.
• Power Supply, our electricity generation group, developed
its EMS in 1999. Systems have been implemented in the
business unit’s Power Facilities and Resource Management
areas, and work to fine tune and strengthen the EMS continues
(see audits).
• Transmission and Distribution (T&D), our electricity delivery
group, has completed an ISO 14001-consistent framework
for its environmental management. Training for responsibilities
and procedures was provided to all managers last year, and
the business unit is now preparing process-based EMS modules
for each of 22 functions, as well as best management
practices for a range of materials, equipment and activities.
T&D continues to be on track to implement all components
of its EMS by December 2002.
• An EMS for our Shared Services group – which covers all
activities outside Power Supply and T&D, such as building
and office services, property management, vehicle services
and purchasing – is under development.