Environmental management systems in Ontario Hydro

Ontario Hydro's overall approach to environmental management systems (EMS) is discussed, with specific reference to the experience at the recently registered coal-fired generation station at Thunder Bay. A formal document outlining Ontario Hydro's corporate view of EMS was issued in a document in 1998. The EMS for the Darlington nuclear generating station was registered in 1996 and other site EMSs will be registered by the end of 1999. The Thunder Bay station was the first Ontario Hydro fossil fuel plant to be ISO 14001 registered. As in the case of other facilities, the ISO 14001 compliant environmental management system at Ontario Hydro represented a consolidation of many programs that have been in place for many years. Accordingly, the main tasks associated with the registration involves customization of a process manual and documentation of continual improvement programs. This paper outlines the handling of the ISO 14001 elements of policy, planning, implementation, operation, checking and corrective action and management review within the scope of continual improvement at the Thunder Bay Generating Station