News Release

Hydro Ottawa congratulates customers for shining in the dark

OTTAWA, March 30, 2008 — Hydro Ottawa is proud to report that Ottawa’s participation in Earth Hour was a tremendous success, thanks to the overwhelming participation of local residents and businesses.

Across Ottawa on Saturday night, the lights were off, but people were home – celebrating Earth Hour with friends and family.

“The message of Earth Hour is that simple actions can make a big difference when it comes to climate change,” said Rosemarie Leclair, President and CEO of the Hydro Ottawa Group of Companies.  “The results make it clear that Ottawa residents really embraced that message, and we know that more and more are applying it year round through simple actions to reduce their energy consumption.”

Hydro Ottawa measured the city’s usage at 697,270 kilowatt-hours between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. a reduction of 43,581 kilowatt-hours – or six per cent – compared to the same hour on the previous Saturday. This represents enough electricity savings to power 58 homes for a month. 

Hydro Ottawa once again partnered with the City of Ottawa and other sponsors, including the Ottawa Sun, 24 hours and the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce in promoting Earth Hour in Ottawa.

“As a partner in the City’s Earth Hour campaign, our goal was to encourage participation and awareness across our community, and Ottawa residents and businesses once again embraced Earth Hour with enthusiasm and creativity,” said Leclair. “In doing so, they joined tens of millions of other around the world in showing their commitment to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  Hydro Ottawa is proud to have played a role in that once again this year.”

 The strong community focus of this event was even more noticeable this year, Leclair said. “Joining so many neighbours in this common effort is truly a unifying experience, and Ottawa residents should truly be proud of their collective Earth Hour achievement.”

Residents and businesses alike can find easy ways to reduce their energy consumption at www.hydroottawa.com.

About Hydro Ottawa Limited
Hydro Ottawa Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc., is the second largest municipal electricity company in the province. Hydro Ottawa is responsible for the safe, reliable delivery of electricity to more than 291,000 residential and business customers in the city of Ottawa and the village of Casselman. Hydro Ottawa is proud to be a founding member of powerWISE®, a program developed in partnership with the Ontario Government and five other electricity distribution companies to promote energy conservation to consumers, reduce the overall demand for electricity and build a conservation culture meant to last for years to come.  

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Contact:
R. Susan Barrett
Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
Hydro Ottawa Limited
Media Pager: 613 221-0063