Electricity Distributors Association (EDA) Announces Electricity Utility Award Winners
Power Industry Awards Presented at EDA Annual Meeting, Including Performance Excellence Award Sponsored by Ontario Power Generation
Toronto, ON - The Electricity Distributors Association (EDA) is pleased to announce the winners of its annual industry awards which were presented last night, March 28th, at the EDA's Annual General Meeting in Toronto.
"There is a long tradition of achievement in Ontario's electricity utility industry," said Charlie Macaluso, EDA President and CEO. "This year, as in the past, the EDA recognizes the significant accomplishments of individual utilities that have raised the bar on excellence through their performance, programs and special projects."
The EDA's Local Distribution Company (LDC) Performance Excellence Award, sponsored by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) was presented to PowerStream Inc.
PowerStream distinguished itself among its peers by performance excellence in 2010 in the following areas: occupational health and safety, operational excellence, financial operations, retail strategies for conservation and demand management, and for contributions to the community.
"To be excellent is to deliver outstanding performance time over time. As the sponsor of the 2010 LDC Performance Excellence Award, Ontario Power Generation is pleased to congratulate this year's winner, PowerStream Inc.," said Tom Mitchell, OPG's President and CEO. "Their achievements continue to demonstrate how all levels of the electricity industry - generators, transmitters and distributors - add value and contribute to a productive and sustainable Ontario."
PowerStream Inc. is municipally-owned and provides service to residential and business customers in Alliston, Aurora, Barrie, Beeton, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Penetanguishene, Markham, Richmond Hill, Thornton, Tottenham and Vaughan.
Other electricity utility companies receiving awards last night included:
EDA Environmental Excellence Award: Essex Powerlines Corp. - The rooftop solar photovoltaic system located on the roof of the Town of Tecumseh Arena is the largest in Canada. With the capacity to produce more than 500 MWh per year, the solar system will prevent the emission of 208 tonnes of carbon dioxide - equivalent to taking 117 cars and light trucks off the road. The environmental benefits go hand-in-hand with Essex Powerlines' philosophy of creating a greener and better future for their community.
EDA Innovation Award - Customer Service: Toronto Hydro-Electric System Ltd. - The 'Beat the Peak' campaign was created to increase awareness and understanding of Time-of-Use rates, phantom power and waste associated with the charging of handheld devices among Toronto residents, with the goal of decreasing electricity use. The program received an overwhelming customer response. Numerous channels of communication were developed to market and deliver key messages, including among others, community and ethnic outreach, and an outreach to over 18,000 city secondary and post-secondary students.
EDA Innovation Award - Public Relations: Burlington Hydro Inc. - The GridSmartCity Stakeholder Outreach Program created an official launch strategy for GridSmartCity that featured Burlington Hydro's alliances with leading smart grid organizations and the unveiling of the Pure Electric Vehicle Demonstration project. The project is designed to provide greater understanding of all-electric vehicles, charging infrastructure and utility operating system integration. The launch story was carried on 14,000 media and social media websites globally, and received positive community feedback.
The Electricity Distributors Association (EDA) is the voice of Ontario's local electricity distributors, the publicly and privately owned companies that safely and reliably deliver electricity to over 4.7 million Ontario homes, businesses and public institutions.
SOURCE: The Electricity Distributors Association (EDA)