Toronto - lil’ bean n’ green cafe n’ play’s unique concept for a cafe has been brewing in the heart of Leslieville and gaining a loyal following over the last nine months .  Conceived to meet the demand of area parents searching for children friendly options, this budding cafe offers organic fare and plenty of stroller parking.

Green at heart, the owners of lil’ bean n’ green took advantage of Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited’s (“Toronto Hydro”) Power Savings Blitz incentive program.  At no cost to them, they completed a lighting retrofit in their already vibrant cafe.   Thanks to the Power Saving Blitz program, lil’ bean n’ green is expected to save almost $350 per year in electricity costs, which is equivalent to removing approximately 524 kilograms per year of harmful greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere.

The Power Savings Blitz Program was developed for small businesses and individually metered buildings that have an electricity demand of 50 kW or less per month. The incentive program covers the first $1,000 of the project cost and provides energy information to realize greater electricity savings. The program focuses on efficient lighting upgrades, but more options are available such as hot water efficiency improvements and low-flow faucet aerators.

Toronto Hydro is pleased to showcase lil’ bean n’ green cafe n’ play as this month’s Customer for Conservation. The 'Customer for Conservation' program recognizes businesses that believe strongly in conservation and take action to conserve electricity in their business practices.

The conservation focused minds of the cafe don’t stop there - serious about reducing their environmental impact in other ways, they purchase local and organic products, recycle and compost what little waste is produced and have furnished the cafe using reclaimed and recycled materials.  Most of their shop is comprised of various second hand finds. 

FACTS

• Power Savings Blitz is an energy conservation program offered by Toronto Hydro-Electric System, in partnership with the Ontario Power Authority. This program provides small businesses with up to $1000 in free energy-efficient lighting and equipment upgrades.
• To date, Toronto Hydro has paid approximately $23.6  under the Power Savings Blitz Program million to cover the cost of lighting retrofits for more than 25,100 businesses in Toronto. It is estimated that this will save approximately 22.8 megawatts (MW) of electricity in Toronto.  Is the $23.6 million just the PSB spend? If so, we should be clear about that.
• Toronto Hydro's Customers for Conservation series recognizes business customers that are bridging the gap between wanting to conserve electricity and actually doing it. Customers that have participated in Toronto Hydro programs are nominated by customers or the public. To nominate a business, customers can send an email to media@torontohydro.com

SOURCE
*Toronto Hydro Peak Out Poll (2009)

• Online poll was conducted using Leger Marketing's Web panel May 7 to May 14, 2009.
• A total of 1,077 interviews were conducted with Toronto-adults, aged 18 years or older.
• Margin of error is +/- 2.9 per cent, 19 times out of 20.