Category: News Release

For Immediate Release
June 5, 2015

ST. JOHN’S, NL – From June 8 -12, the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA), in partnership with the Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development (BTCRD) and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), is leading a network of seven firms from Newfoundland and Labrador to the Caribbean to pursue business opportunities and build international partnerships.

“This is a follow-up mission building on the success of a previous visit to the region in February,” explains Ted Lomond, NEIA’s Executive Director. “Those positive results can be attributed to our preparation,” says Lomond. “We have worked with our firms for over a year to ensure they were ready and had a high likelihood of success.”

Lomond says this work included arranging incoming delegations, training, developing firm-level market entry strategies specific to the Caribbean markets, prequalifying market contacts, and coordinating an earlier mission of six firms to the region. “Some of our firms have already signed development contracts as a result of the initiative, and others are in negotiations.”

The June mission, which will focus on Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago, is intended to help firms build on relationships established through earlier activities. NEIA has facilitated a full schedule of carefully selected meetings for participating firms with private sector organizations, trade experts, and International Financial Institutions (IFIs) to help these firms pursue identified business opportunities.

“Newfoundland and Labrador is a small market for many of the environmental products and services that are developed by local business,” explained Lomond. “It is important for the growth of these businesses – and the diversification of our provincial economy – that these firms explore international markets.”

Lomond says that the Caribbean is a natural partner in economic development. “We both reside in island regions and face similar challenges such as the impacts of climate change, coastal zone erosion, distance from markets, and resource dependent economies. We also have a long history of trade and share a willingness to learn from one another.”

NEIA’s Caribbean strategy has been strongly supported by BTCRD. “The provincial government has been an active partner in this strategy from the outset,” says Lomond. “We are very appreciative of the support BTCRD and its staff have been able to provide.”

“ACOA has been a critical partner in this process,” notes Lomond. “ACOA has recognized the potential economic benefits this partnership may yield for the region, and has engaged industry each step of the way.”

“This mission is the result of significant planning, strategy development, and collective effort over the course of more than a year.” says Lomond. “We look forward to further positive results.”

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 190 members. More information can be found at https://neia.org.

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Media Contact:
Kieran Hanley
kieran@neia.org
709.237.8190

For Immediate Release
May 31, 2015

ST. JOHN’S, NL – May 31 – June 6 is Environment Week in Canada, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is looking to promote your organization’s initiatives and activities in recognition and celebration.

By tweeting us using the hashtag #nlenviro, or by emailing us at info@neia.org, NEIA‎ will share how your organization is recognizing Environment Week.

“One opportunity we can investigate is the amount of waste we are producing at work,” says Ted Lomond, NEIA’s Executive Director. “60% of this province’s waste is produced at work or school.” Lomond notes that per capita, ‎Newfoundland and Labrador produces more waste than most other provinces in the country.

For its part, NEIA is undertaking one unique initiative each day. Stay tuned to its twitter account @NEIASSOC to see the small things the organization will be doing to recognize Environment Week 2015.

“Simple deviations in our daily routines and decisions can help to significantly reduce our collective impact on ‎Newfoundland and Labrador’s environment,” says Lomond. “We look forward to hearing about and sharing your stories.”

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 190 members. More information can be found at www.neia.org.

For Immediate Release
May 27, 2015

ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) was a partner in Innovation Week 2015 – a series of eighteen events highlighting, promoting, and exploring innovation attended by hundreds of individuals over the course of four days.

“Innovation in Newfoundland and Labrador is essential from both an economic and an environmental perspective,” says Ted Lomond, Executive Director of NEIA. “It is key to the long-term international competitiveness of our firms but it is also necessary if we are to avoid or mitigate the environmental impacts of our business activities.”

During Innovation Week, NEIA and the Aerospace and Defence Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (ADIANL) jointly held a session in collaboration with the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises on the Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP).

The BCIP helps companies bridge the pre-commercialization gap, enabling the Federal government to purchase late stage innovative products and services to test them and to address operational challenges.

“This is important for a number of reasons,” says Lomond. “First it allows the firm to earn revenue from the sale. Second, the firm now has a recognizable and credible client to reference when trying to sell their products and services,” which Lomond notes is important for businesses when selling internationally. “Third, firms get detailed feedback on the performance of their product or service before going to market.”

Lomond says NEIA strives to promote and foster innovative practices at all of its key events. “Innovation includes new research and product development but it should be broadly understood as including the novel use of existing technologies, process improvement, imaginative market segmentation, improved workforce training and skills development or any other application of creativity to add value to firms within the province.”

“NEIA works in close partnership with a number of entities that support innovation in the private sector,” says Lomond. “For firms and entrepreneurs interested in acquiring support, it can be daunting trying to determine which programs and agencies can help.” Lomond says that NEIA can expedite and simplify this process, and encourages interested firms to contact NEIA staff.

Innovation Week was jointly organized by a number of organizations led by the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology Industries (NATI). A full list of event partners can be found on the Innovation Week website: www.innovationweek.ca.

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 190 members. More information can be found at www.neia.org.

For Immediate Release
May 6, 2015

ST. JOHN’S, NL – Last week the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) held its Oil Industry and the Environment Seminar, NOTES 2015. The two-day event brought operators, large corporations, SMEs, federal and provincial governments, and academia together to discuss environmental challenges the oil and gas industry faces in the region, and to explore possible solutions.

“It is important that we do what it can to balance this important industry in our economy with the beautiful natural environment which provides a living for many Newfoundland and Labradorians,” says Ted Lomond, Executive Director of NEIA.

“NOTES 2015 provided an opportunity for persons involved in all aspects of the province’s oil and gas industry to share information, insights, and experiences as they relate to our natural environment,” says Lomond, “with a focus on increased efficiency and innovation.”

Lomond contends assisting in the growth and internationalization of local technologies in the industry must be a priority. “From a business development point of view, we must encourage and support our local businesses to innovate and develop products and services that they can bring to the global market.” This will help diversify Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy and ensure that the province benefits from the oil and gas industry long after its offshore reserves are depleted, says Lomond. “There is significant opportunity for that international growth in the environmental business sector, and that was the driving force behind NOTES 2015.”

The event was anchored by a keynote presentation by Preston Manning, CEO of the Manning Centre and member of Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission’s advisory board. Manning spoke on the pursuit integrating energy and environmental interests through market mechanisms – a topic of growing importance in Newfoundland and Labrador as its provincial counterparts are implementing programs to address climate change.

NOTES 2015 featured a wide spread of topics ranging from environmental effects and monitoring, to oil spill response technologies, to the socio-economic impacts of the industry to-date, to a keynote panel discussion on benefits agreements and their application on future mega-projects.

“Important discussions were had on the past, present, and future of the industry in Newfoundland and Labrador, and how we can structure future agreements for the long-term benefit of the province,” noted Lomond.

One session of the agenda focused exclusively on planning and consultation. “Whether oil and gas projects are the negotiation, construction, operations, or de-commissioning stage, we learned that proper engagement is a critical factor in success,” says Lomond.

“And so we were encouraged to have had participation from all levels of industry, government, and academia at NOTES 2015. We look forward to continuing the conversation with our partners.”

More information on NOTES 2015 can be found on the conference website at www.neia.org/notes2015. NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 190 members. More information can be found at www.neia.org.

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Media Contact:
Kieran Hanley

For Immediate Release
March 30, 2015

ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is supporting the City of St. John’s in its purchase of two electric vehicles for parking enforcement. City councillors will vote this evening on whether it will accept the Deputy City Manager’s recommendation to award an RFP for 2 cars, 5 public and 2 private charging stations.

“This will create value for the taxpayers of the City of St. John’s,” says Ted Lomond, Executive Director of NEIA. “The business case for these vehicles is sound. The efficiency of the electric car in the role the city intends to use them is well documented in other municipalities across Canada, and in fact the world.”

Lomond notes that the city should achieve a reduction in fuel consumption and maintenance costs by switching to the electric cars. Electric vehicles cost about $2.00 to drive 100km. Even a brand new compact car uses 7 litres on average or more fuel per 100km. At gas prices of $1.00 per litre, that represents a cost of $7.00 to drive 100km. Enforcement officers are driving city vehicles all day long and accumulate significant mileage. “The energy savings per vehicle are considerable,” says Lomond. “In addition, electric vehicles have less moving parts and components then fossil fuel vehicles and require no oil or filter changes – meaning less maintenance.”

Lomond says the move is supported by the province’s decision in February to fund the installation of 5 residential and 14 commercial electric vehicle charging stations throughout the province. “The government of Newfoundland and Labrador sees the value of electric vehicles operating in the province and is contributing to developing the appropriate infrastructure,” says Lomond. “Their leadership on this front is to be commended, and the City of St. John’s should be applauded for the initiation of this pilot project to test the suitability of the technology for their fleet.”

Lomond notes that that – aside from the clear economic advantages of electric vehicles – there are important environmental advantages. “Electric vehicles are particularly well suited for our province.” When Muskrat Falls begins operations, 98% of Newfoundland and Labrador’s energy will be derived from renewable resources.

“Electric vehicles will produce no emissions while on the road, and will be charged by a renewable energy source. This is an opportunity we must explore and support. ”

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 190 members. More information can be found at https://neia.org.

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Media Contact
Kieran Hanley
kieran@neia.org
709.237.8190

For Immediate Release
March 27, 2015

ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is encouraging Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to turn off the lights Saturday evening in support of ‘Earth Hour’, a global call to combat climate change.

Earth Hour asks individuals, businesses and governments to turn off their lights for one hour to demonstrate the importance of taking action on climate change. It is a global environmental event which attracts the support of hundreds of millions world-wide each year, and spreads awareness regarding the link between energy use and environment.

“The benefits gained from energy efficiency are not just environmental,” said Ted Lomond, Executive Director of NEIA, “they are also economical.”

The International Energy Agency estimates that every dollar invested in energy efficiency generates more than $4 in cost savings, and that the savings can pay for the necessary upgrades after approximately four years. These savings will generate important economic benefits such as lower energy bills and stronger business competitiveness.

“In addressing the issue of climate change, by becoming more energy efficient, local businesses will better positioned to succeed” said Lomond.

To participate in Earth Hour 2015, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians must turn off all non-essential lighting on March 28 for one hour between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m., local time.

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. It is the premier resource for the industry offering a diverse range of expert knowledge and services in the business of mitigating and minimizing environmental damage for the protection and enhancement of the environment for present and future generations. NEIA has over 180 members.

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Media Contact
Kieran Hanley: 709.237.8190

For Immediate Release
March 25, 2015

ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) held its Annual General Meeting Wednesday, March 25th which featured the election of its Board of Directors and the reappointment of Deidre Puddister, the Environmental Manager with Pennecon Limited, as the organization’s Chairperson. This will be the second term as Chair for Puddister.

“I am honoured to have been selected by NEIA’s Board of Directors to serve as their Chair,” said Puddister, “and am excited to work with the excellent team which was elected today to grow the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

NEIA’s Annual General Meeting outlined the robust series of activities and programming the association engaged in over the past year. “2014 was a very active year for NEIA in terms of its advocacy and communications efforts, the events it organized and partnered in, and the sector and firm development initiatives it undertook,” said Puddister.

A full review of NEIA’s activities can be found online in its 2014 Annual Report at:
https://neia.org/2014-annual-report/.

“NEIA’s Board is looking forward to building on the organization’s achievements this past year towards a productive and successful 2015,” said Puddister.

NEIA’s Board of Directors guide the strategic activities of NEIA, which are focused on the growth of the environmental sector through business expansion, professional development, innovation and productivity, export and international business, and policy and advocacy.

Members of the 2015-2016 Board of Directors include:

• Deidre Puddister (Chair) – Pennecon Limited
• Sarah Bassler – Amec Foster Wheeler
• Dan Brake – EMSAT Corporation
• Patrick Browne – Puglisevich Crews and Services
• Don Drew – Newco Metal and Auto Recycling Ltd.
• Al Ducey – BMSna
• David Fay – Fay Environmental
• Lyndsay Haynes – WorleyParsons
• Elisabeth Luther – Golder Associates

More information on NEIA’s Board of Directors can be found at: https://neia.org/board/.

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. It is the province’s premier resource for the environmental business sector, offering a diverse range of expert knowledge and support services for firms and organizations working to grow economic opportunity while respecting our natural environment. NEIA is the business of the environment, and has over 190 members.

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Media Contact
Kieran Hanley: 709.237.8190

For Immediate Release
March 3, 2015

St. John’s, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) has announced a series of presentations and speakers for its Oil Industry and the Environment Seminar (NOTES 2015).

Anchored by a keynote address from Preston Manning, President and CEO of the Manning Centre and founder of the Reform Part, NOTES 2015 is taking place April 27-28, 2015 in St. John’s, NL.

“The oil and gas industry is a major contributor to our province’s economy, and an area of significant opportunity for environmental sector growth,” says Ted Lomond, Executive Director of NEIA. Lomond says that businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador have a chance to contribute to the increased efficiency and sustainability of the industry.

“Our NOTES 2015 conference will provide an opportunity for persons involved in all aspects of the province’s oil and gas industry to share information, insights, and experience,” says Lomond. “The conference will showcase the innovative and effective solutions being applied in the region today and explore exciting research underway locally that has the potential to be practically applied.”

Lomond says it is important for local businesses to innovate and develop products and services that are applicable not just in our province’s waters, but worldwide. “Solutions applied in our region could be applicable to other offshore oil developments,” says Lomond. “One day the offshore oil industry will move on from Newfoundland and Labrador, so it is important our businesses make a lasting impact that allows them to exist beyond current local offshore activities.”

The conference is focusing on six main themes: environmental issues and their mitigation; operating in harsh environments; stakeholder management; the development and application of new technologies; and oil spill response. In addition, NOTES 2015 will feature two panel discussions evaluating the socio-economic impacts of offshore petroleum activity, and the future delivery of industry benefits as they pertain to the environment.

NOTES 2015 is a solutions-focused event with the intent to build capacity in the environmental sector of the economy. “Natural resource extraction will always present environmental challenges – challenges which can be met effectively by innovators and entrepreneurs,” says Lomond. “Our conference will support businesses here in Newfoundland and Labrador looking to provide those solutions.”

Visit the NOTES 2015 website at https://neia.org/notes2015 for details on confirmed speakers, registration information, and sponsorship opportunities.

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 190 members. Learn more about NEIA at https://neia.org.

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Media Contact:
Kieran Hanley
709.237.8190
kieran@neia.org

For Immediate Release
February 26, 2015

Bridgetown, BB – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is leading a trade delegation – featuring a number of local firms – to Barbados, St. Vincent, and Trinidad and Tobago.

“This targeted mission is the third phase in a focused strategy aimed at securing international business opportunities for firms in Newfoundland and Labrador,” says Ted Lomond, NEIA’s Executive Director.

“Operating in Newfoundland, the technologies and services developed by our firms lend themselves to use in an island setting, so these are strategic investment locations,” says Lomond. “Our firms are looking for international growth, whether that be through sales, distribution, supply chain diversification, or the development of new partnerships.”

Lomond notes this NEIA initiative is unique in that it has been driven from the outset by the common interests of private sector firms. “Over a year ago, our Export and International Business Network members identified the Caribbean as a location of business interest,” explained Lomond. NEIA’s Export and International Business Network is a group of firms in the environmental sector conducting business, or looking to explore opportunities, abroad.

The second phase of the project took place over the course of 2014. “Last April NEIA hosted officials from Barbados to establish personal relationships with key partners and to help them gain an understanding of Newfoundland and Labrador.” Lomond says that since that time, NEIA has worked with participating firms to develop individual market entry strategies, and with consultants and the Canadian High Commission to assemble a program for the mission. “This trade mission is the culmination of a lot of work investigating and confirming growth opportunities within these developing markets,” says Lomond.

While in the Caribbean, NEIA has facilitated – for participating Newfoundland and Labrador firms – a series of meetings with trade officials and potential partners in the region. “Our companies have been busy building contacts which they hope will develop into business relationships,” says Lomond. “The results thus far have exceeded expectations.”

On a broader scale, NEIA staff are investigating further environmental sector opportunities in the region for firms in Newfoundland and Labrador. “In addition to supporting the objectives of the individual firms, NEIA has a program of meetings in place exploring the potential for closer collaboration between our two regions,” says Lomond. NEIA is meeting with Barbados’ Department of Environment, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Canadian High Commission, the Caribbean Export Development Agency, the Barbados Chamber of Commerce, and others.

Lomond says the Caribbean mission is just one of NEIA’s ongoing international initiatives. “The growth of international business activity of local firms is critical to the diversification and strengthening of our province’s economy.” Lomond says NEIA’s role is to help firms work together to explore common markets of interest, where working alone would be cost prohibitive.

“Our network has independently identified a number of regions of interest to the environmental sector,” notes Lomond. “NEIA will work with these firms to help research, outline, and pursue international business opportunities.”

For more information on NEIA’s Export and International Business Network, visit https://neia.org/network/. NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 190 members. Learn more about NEIA at www.neia.org.

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Media Contact:
Kieran Hanley
709.237.8190
kieran@neia.org

For Immediate Release
February 25, 2015

Gander, NL – The Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) is unveiling a new website at the Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador 2015 Conference and Trade Show in Gander this week.

GreenTourismNL.ca aims to introduce tourism operators in the province to practices and strategies that will enable businesses to contribute to – and benefit from – a greener industry.

“Tourism is a billion dollar industry in Newfoundland and Labrador,” says Ted Lomond, NEIA’s Executive Director. “Much of that industry relies on the beauty of our natural environment. It is important we are aware of the environmental costs of tourism and do what we collectively can to ensure it is prosperous for many years to come.”

But Lomond says the biggest benefit of a more sustainable industry is in the bottom lines of the operators themselves. “Greening your business practices is all about decreasing waste and increasing efficiency,” he says. “This means lower costs and more value for each dollar spent on resources. Green business is good business.”

GreenTourismNL.ca makes the business case for tourism operators by offering best practice information in waste management, energy efficiency, purchase planning, impact assessment, employee and customer buy-in, and more.

“Our site encompasses many areas of sustainable business,” says Lomond. GreenTourismNL.ca directs its visitors to the provincial authorities on each subject. “To learn more about waste management we point operators to the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB). For energy efficiency, takeCHARGE. For food service, the Restaurant Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (RANL). And so on.”

Lomond says NEIA is excited to launch GreenTourismNL.ca at the province’s premiere tourism industry event. “Working together we can build the awareness that ‘being green’ isn’t just the right thing to do for the natural environment,” says Lomond. “It also means a more profitable and enduring sector of Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy”

GreenTourismNL.ca offers its content in downloadable PDF documents for those who want to take a close read, and is formatted for mobile devices for those who want to take a look while away from their computers.

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the growth and development of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 190 members. Learn more about NEIA at https://neia.org.

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Media Contact:
Kieran Hanley
709.237.8190
kieran@neia.org