Environment

Towards a Sustainable Balance

As owner of one of the largest natural gas transmission systems in North America (pdf), and with significant interests in power generation and marketing, gas storage, proposed crude oil transmission and LNG re-gasification terminals, TransCanada strives to minimize negative environmental impacts. At the same time, we ensure we uphold our responsibility to meet the strategic energy demands of the continent.

Progress Through Integrated Management

How do we achieve the necessary balance between these responsibilities?

It can be challenging, as continental energy demand continues to grow in lock-step with greater regulatory oversight of environmental issues. As a result, we have defined and adopted a holistic, company-wide, risk-based approach. Implemented as our Integrated HSE Management System framework and a Continuous Improvement Cycle, the approach focuses on:

• managing greenhouse gas and air emissions;
• encouraging biodiversity;
• fostering energy efficiency; and
• participating in public policy discussions.

TransCanada’s continuous improvement cycle contains 11 elements, or checkpoints:

1. Policy: To ensure a consistent overall direction and set the parameters for implementing and improving the management system.
2. Structure and Responsibility: To establish clear lines of accountability and enable communication throughout the organization.
3. Risk Assessment and Management: To identify potential risks in order to prioritize activities.
4. Objectives and Targets: To develop and document objectives and targets in order to gauge continuous improvement.
5. Operational Control: To provide a consistent and agreed-upon approach to managing business activities, which may have the potential to impact employee health and safety or the environment.
6. Contractor Management: To assess and evaluate contractor performance prior to, during, and after contractor services are completed.
7. Emergency Preparedness and Response: To limit damage to people, property or the environment in the event of an emergency situation.
8. Training and Awareness: To ensure employees and contractors are equipped to manage potential health, safety and environmental risks.
9. Documentation and Records Management: To ensure health, safety and environmental information is available to employees and outside organizations if required.
10. Communication and Reporting: To maintain and improve employee and stakeholder awareness and understanding of health, safety and environmental performance.
11. Performance Audit and Review: To identify and implement corrective measures and preventative actions if required.

This system framework is modeled after ISO 14001, an international standard for environmental management systems and is used to capture, organize, and document our company’s commitment and expectations when it comes to managing our responsibilities.