Monday, June 20, 2011

Press Release: ZooShare Biogas Co-operative Receives Unanimous Support from Toronto Zoo Board of Management

Toronto, June 17, 2011

In its June session, the Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo voted unanimously to enter into an agreement with ZooShare Biogas Co-operative Inc. to develop and operate a 500 kW scalable biogas plant. The project will be the first co-operatively owned biogas plant in Canada and the first zoo-based biogas plant of its kind in North America.

Under the proposed terms of the agreement ZooShare will be responsible for fully funding, designing, developing, constructing and operating the plant on lands leased from the Zoo. Food waste from a major grocery retailer and all of the Zoo’s manure, which is currently composted, will go to the proposed plant where it will be processed into electricity, heat and fertilizer. The result of the biogas production process will be a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 10,000 tonnes CO2, equal to taking over 1,800 cars off the road each year. The project represents an investment of $5.4 million, the majority of which will be raised from the community through the issuance of Community Bonds.

About ZooShare:
ZooShare Biogas Co-operative Inc. is a non-profit, non-share capital renewable energy co-operative with a mission to drive the growth of community-owned biogas around Ontario. ZooShare was founded by a group of individuals and companies (Angus Power, Koenig & Consultants Inc., ReGenerate Biogas Inc., Riepma Consultants Inc.) that share experience in the renewable energy industry, a belief in the power of community and the success of Public-Private partnerships.
More information about ZooShare, the biogas project at the Toronto Zoo and its progress are available at www.zooshare.ca.

For questions and inquiries please contact:
Christine Koenig
Phone: 416 640 0773
Email: christine@zooshare.ca

About the Toronto Zoo:
The Toronto Zoo is a member of CAZA (Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums) and AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums). The AZA works to ensure a professional level of zoo operations with high standards of excellence. The AZA outlines the primary objectives for zoos and aquariums including conservation, research and education. Current Zoo Hours: 9:00am to 7:30pm. Last admission is one hour before closing. General Admission 13-64 incl. is $23.00. Children 3 and under are free, Children 4-12 are $13.00 and Seniors 65+ are $17.00. Parking fees apply. Prices include applicable taxes and are subject to change without notice. Events are subject to change without notice. The Zoo is located at Meadowvale Road and Hwy. 401, Exit 389 east and west bound. For general information, call (416) 392-5929. The Toronto Zoo is open year round (except December 25th). http://www.torontozoo.com/

For questions and inquiries please contact:
Cynthia Shipley
Phone: 416-392-5938
Email: cshipley@torontozoo.ca