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TransAlta Summary

Company Description
TransAlta is a power generation and wholesale marketing company focused on creating long-term shareholder value. We maintain a low-risk profile by operating a highly contracted portfolio of assets in Canada, the United States, Mexico and Australia. Our focus is to efficiently operate our coal-fired, hydro and renewable facilities in order to provide our customers with a reliable, low-cost source of power. For nearly 100 years, we've been a responsible operator and a proud contributor to the communities where we work and live. 

TransAlta is a leader in sustainability, having been recognized for the last eight years in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Indexes. The company is also a founding member of the Canadian Clean Power Coalition (CCPC) and has established the TransAlta Professor of Environmental Management and Sustainability at the University of Calgary’s Institute of Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy (ISEEE). TransAlta is also a pioneer company in the domestic and international emissions trading markets.

TransAlta is committed to recognizing the role it plays in addressing environmental challenges and will work to comply with federal and provincial government legislation on the environment. The company is committed to using the best available technology, economically achievable (BATEA) in our new plants. TransAlta will continue to explore means to improve the efficiency of its existing power plants to lower emissions as well as work to implement new clean fuel technologies as they become available.

CEO: Stephen G. Snyder; Revenues: $3.01 Billion (2010); Employees: 2,389

Climate Change Targets

TransAlta has met two signficant climate change targets. First, it reduced its GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2000. Then it reduced GHG emissions intensity by 12 percent from average intensity between 2003 and 2005 by 2007. TransAlta now seeks to achieve zero net GHG emissions from the company’s Canadian operations by 2024.

Statements on Climate Change

“TransAlta will continue to look for new and innovative ways to mitigate our contribution to greenhouse gases and turn this risk into an opportunity.” – CEO, TransAlta

Technology Solutions (C2ES's Climate Techbook Factsheets)

Relevant Links: TransAlta Company Web Site, TransAlta Environment Web Site, TransAlta 2010 Sustainability Report