Bringing Made-in-B.C. Clean Transportation Solutions to the B.C. Legislature

Westport Innovations showcased its natural gas vehicle technology at a November 17 event organized by Fortis BC, in collaboration with PNWER, Vedder Transport, and Waste Management at the front steps of the B.C. Legislature.

MLA Barry Penner talking to the crowd of Ministers and MLAs

Members of the public and attendees of the 2011 PNWER Winter Summit learned more about the existing provincial framework that helps support the use of natural gas in commercial vehicles: the availability of B.C. natural gas, engines designed in B.C., and a fueling infrastructure manufactured in B.C. Along with a presentation by Barry Penner, MLA, visitors met with industry experts to learn more about natural gas vehicles (NGVs) and how they benefit the transportation sector.

British Columbia is poised to be an emerging leader in clean transportation solutions by reducing greenhouse gas emissions that come from the transportation sector. By virtue of our local natural resources and home-grown technology, B.C. has a great opportunity to generate economic and environmental benefits for all British Columbians.

As a made-in-B.C. low emission solution, Westport technology provides an economically and environmentally sustainable solution that the provincial government should continue to encourage and support as part of its framework and strategy for transportation. A climate that encourages the use of NGVs benefits from an invigorated local economy, increased use of domestic natural gas and a reduced carbon footprint.

Westport has worked closely with Fortis, the largest natural gas distributor in the province, and Waste Management, to launch Canada’s first fleet of natural gas refuse collection trucks in operation in B.C.

Minister Blair Lekstrom and Fred Zweep

Jonathan Burke, Westport HD and Minister Pat Bell

To learn more about natural gas, its applications in the transportation sector, and its role in provincial clean energy solutions, please visit:

• Fortis BC – About Natural Gas
• NGV Global – Natural Gas Vehicle Statistics
• Canadian Natural Gas – Applications in Transportation

Westport Certifies its Commitment to the Environment

We recently announced that the Westport Environmental Management System (EMS) was certified to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)’s 14001:2004 standard. Our goal is to constantly minimize how our products and services impact the environment, so this certification carries great importance for the Westport family. It adds external recognition that we have continued to make environmental stewardship part of our daily culture and we recognize our responsibility to employees, customers, partners and shareholders to regularly evaluate our operations’ impact on the environment.

To be certified to the ISO 14001:2004 standard, an organization must show concern for the environment by making three fundamental commitments: an organization must commit to preventing pollution; complying with legislation; and continual improvement of their EMS. Through these commitments the standard focuses on how an organization’s activities, products or services interact with the environment, and then provides a framework and procedure for identifying and addressing the areas with the greatest environmental impact.

To obtain certification, we participated in a series of external audits and an intensive process where team members evaluated environmental aspects and legal requirements, established training programs, and developed system documentation and communication procedures. During the process we carefully examined every aspect of our operations, allowing us to focus on potential areas for improvement.

Through the development and commercialization of economical and environmentally sustainable transportation solutions, we are the global leader in natural gas engines. The concern for our impact on the environment is a core Westport value and basis for some of the most sophisticated innovations in engine and fuel system technology. Our founding technology was motivated by concern for global human health and climate, and this certification is another testament of our commitment to continuously reduce the environmental footprint of our business. Our natural gas engines and related technologies help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 27% compared to diesel engines. As our environmental policy outlines, we are dedicated to protecting the environment, preventing pollution, and leading the industry in mitigating the adverse environmental impacts of engine and fuel system research, development, testing and assembly.

• View the Westport ISO 14001:2004 certificate, and learn more about sustainability at Westport.