Promoting energy conservationLook for Hydro Ottawa’s Conservation Team at area Lowe’s stores in April. We’ll be at the Hazeldean Road location on April 6, the West Hunt Club location on April 13 and the Innes Road location on April 20 handing out point-of-purchase coupons for savings on energy efficient products.The saveONenergy COUPON EVENT offers include coupons for ENERGY STAR® qualified products like LED bulbs, compact florescent light bulbs, light fixtures, and ceiling fans. There are also coupons for power bars with timers and clotheslines. For a list of the available coupons and participating retailers please visit www.hydroottawa.com/coupons. Coupons will also be available in-store at participating retailers until April 28. The Conservation Team is taking bookings for the summer. If you are interested in having the Team at your event, please contact conservationteam@hydroottawa.com. We book on a first come, first served basis so book early to avoid disappointment.

InsIdeHydro Ottawa Participates in Greenhouse Gases Summit Pg 3saveONenergy Coupons Pg 5

Hydro Ottawa, Algonquin College partner for future

Minister of Energy Bob Chiarelli tours Hydro Ottawa’s Powerline Technician training facility.

On April 3, Minister of Energy Bob Chiarelli praised Hydro Ottawa and Algonquin College for working together to address the shortage of skilled trades workers. The first group of students is set to graduate from their jointly-offered Powerline Technician program this spring. “Training Ontarians for the high-skilled jobs in the power transmission and distribution sector is an integral part of rebuilding our energy system. Partnerships like this that integrate technical learning with

hands-on experience taught by an experienced workforce will ensure a stronger workforce for Ontario’s energy sector,” said Chiarelli. Students enrolled in the two-year diploma program develop essential skills to design, plan, construct and maintain electrical distribution lines. Algonquin College provides classroom instruction, while Hydro Ottawa delivers safety and core skills instruction in a practical field environment.In teaming up with Algonquin College, Hydro Ottawa is

taking a proactive approach to manage the challenge of an aging workforce. Hydro Ottawa’s trades and technical employees have an average age of 43 years, and almost 30% are eligible to retire by 2018.Applications for the diploma program continue to grow. Since its launch in September 2011 Algonquin College has consistently received more than 300 applications for the program’s 24 seats. In 2012, admissions to the program increased to 43 students.

How to reach us ... Customer service613-738-6400 or hydroottawa.com

Power Outage Reporting and Information 613-738-0188 or hydroottawa.com/outages

electricity sector news

On March 18, Ontario Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli announced the Ontario government would not force local distribution companies (LDCs) to merge, even though consolidation could save $1.2 billion over 10 years.In December, an advisory panel, made up of three former cabinet ministers – one from each party – recommended Ontario’s 80 LDCs voluntarily merge to form eight to 12 regional distributors within two years. They recommended the government legislate consolidation if companies could not make their arrangements on their own after two years. Not only would the consolidation save money and increase efficiency, the panel said in its report, it would also make it easier for distributors to borrow money to upgrade their electricity infrastructure.While speaking at the Electricity Distributors Association’s annual general meeting in Toronto, Chiarelli said he agreed consolidation would lead to savings, but the government would let LDCs make the decision for themselves.“Our government is firmly committed to looking at every possible opportunity, large and small, to help manage electricity bills and keep increases to the lowest level possible,” said Chiarelli.“We want you to keep in mind that while we are interested in promoting consolidation on a voluntary basis in the sector, we must find ways to deliver the savings to ratepayers that the panel identified,” he added.

Ontario’s local distribution companies will not be forced to merge

Hydro Ottawa is partnering with other utilities across the province to educate customers about the importance of locating underground utilities before beginning outdoor projects such as installing a new deck or planting a new tree. Having utilities located before digging is required by law under the Ontario Occupational Health and safety Act. To book a free cable locate appointment, homeowners and contractors can contact Ontario One Call 24/7 at 1-800-400-2255 or www.on1call.com at least five business days before they plan to dig.

Once the underground lines are marked, you will know the approximate location of your utility lines and can dig safely.Utilities across the province are working together to promote dig safe month in April, a campaign to create public awareness and prevent injuries caused by unsafe digging.

Planning outdoor work? Call before you dig.

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) reports that more renewable energy generation will be integrated into Ontario’s bulk power system over the next 18 months. Ontario’s first two transmission grid-connected solar projects should also come into service. At the same time, a substantial influx of wind generation projects are expected to come into service in summer 2014, with 1000 megawatts of installed capacity expected to be added over three months.“Throughout that period, the IESO is expecting more than 3,200 MW of transmission grid-connected renewable capacity to be added to the power system, including Ontario’s first two transmission grid-connected solar projects, located in Haldimand County and Elgin County,” the IESO stated in its report.The IESO predicts that an increase in embedded solar capacity will cause a decline in summer peaks, but have little effect on winter peaks. It expects that the added renewable energy resources will provide approximately 10.9 terawatt-hours to the system annually. By August 2014, the IESO forecasts total wind and solar generation connected to the transmission and distribution networks in Ontario to provide approximately 14.9 terawatt hours of energy to the system each year.

Ontario to connect more renewable energy

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On March 23rd, residents of Ottawa once again joined more than a billion people around the world in turning out their lights between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to mark earth Hour. At Hydro Ottawa, employees were encouraged to participate. In addition, all local school boards and Hydro Ottawa’s largest commercial customers were notified and encouraged to participate. earth Hour is a symbolic event designed to raise awareness about the importance of conservation in creating a more sustainable future. simple actions, such as turning out the lights for 60 minutes, can make a difference.Hydro Ottawa’s system Control Centre monitored consumption before, during and after earth Hour and reported a decrease of 2.3 percent or 23 megawatts. This represents removing about 17,000 homes from the electricity grid. earth Hour builds on the conservation programs we’ve spearheaded over the past few years. Initiatives that have showcased the phenomenal commitment residents and businesses of Ottawa have towards new environmental programs and technologies.

earth Hour

Hydro Ottawa President and CEO Bryce Conrad participated in the City of Ottawa’s Greenhouse Gases roundtable on March 23rd with some of Ottawa’s prominent community members to discuss strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Ottawa.

Conrad highlighted Hydro Ottawa’s goals to increase the supply of clean energy, bring innovative solutions to energy-conscious consumers and businesses, and the steps the company has taken to green its own operations.

Hydro Ottawa’s leadership in renewable energy generation through its hydroelectric generators at Chaudière Falls and its landfill gas-to-energy generation at the company’s Trail Road facility and newly commissioned Laflèche plant augments Hydro Ottawa’s status as the largest municipally-owned producer of

Hydro Ottawa participates in Greenhouse Gases summit

green power in Ontario. Together these facilities help to reduce greenhouse gases by almost 200,000 metric tons of CO2 per year.

Also discussed were the ways Hydro Ottawa encourages energy conservation to residential and business customers through its conservation programs. Between 2005 and the end of 2011, residential and business customers in Ottawa saved 500 million kilowatt-hours; enough to power 52,000 homes for a year.

Conrad further reflected on the ways Hydro Ottawa reduces its environmental impact through operational efficiencies. The company has achieved almost 95 per cent with its non-hazardous waste diversion program, added more hybrid and four-flex-fuel vehicles to its fleet, and increased efficiencies at its office facilities and substations. It’s clear that these steps are just the beginning of Hydro Ottawa’s greenhouse gas reductions.

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In order to reduce the environmental impact of our business and improve efficiency, Hydro Ottawa is encouraging customers to enroll in e-Billing.e-Billing is a convenient, secure and environmentally friendly way to view your electricity bill online. Register for e-Billing through MyHydroLink, Hydro Ottawa’s online customer service portal. You will need to have your most recent Hydro Ottawa paper bill handy.Once you have registered for e-Billing, you will no longer receive a paper bill by mail. Instead, you will receive an email notification when your bill is ready for viewing on MyHydroLink. Then you can pay your e-Bill by telephone or online through your financial institution, or by enrolling in our pre-authorized payment plan. In all, more than 46,000 customers have signed up for e-Billing. sign up today at hydroottawa.com/account.

Hydro Ottawa encourages customers to go paperless

supporting Ottawa’s Light Rail Transit

Hydro Ottawa is powering Ottawa’s LRT, including supplying electricity for construction, passenger stations and LRT traction power stations. Hydro Ottawa requires 40 property rights to proceed with the Ottawa Light Rail Transit Plan, with the ones required for immediate construction now complete. The 2013-2014 construction activities include: • Present - May 2013: Working to supply power to four

downtown sites: West Portal (Commissioner St. and Wellington St.), Downtown West (Queen St. and Kent St.), Rideau (Rideau St. and Nicholas St.) and East Portal (Laurier Ave. and Waller St.).

• summer 2013 – spring 2014: Construction of overhead and underground infrastructure to facilitate the relocation of existing plant near Belfast Rd. and Tremblay Rd. Work will largely fall between or along Coventry Rd., Terminal Ave., Avenue K and Belfast Rd.

• summer 2013 – spring 2014: Relocate an existing overhead line running north from the Hurdman Transit station to Highway 417 underground.

Source: www.ottawalightrail.ca

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Subject to additional terms and conditions found at saveonenergy.ca. Funded by the Ontario Power Authority and offered by Hydro Ottawa. A mark of the Province of Ontario protected under Canadian trademark law. Used under sublicence.OM Of� cial Mark of the Ontario Power Authority. Used under licence.

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