Eight Ontario Communities Selected as Finalists for Community Conservation Awards

TORONTO, Aug. 20, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) named eight municipalities from across the province - Burlington, Frontenac, Mississauga, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, South-West Oxford, Toronto and Vaughan - as finalists for the Community Conservation Awards. These municipalities are recognized for their commitment to energy saving initiatives and strong conservation leadership.

"We are pleased to recognize these municipalities for their leadership in conservation and energy efficiency," said OPA VP of Conservation, Andrew Pride.  "The suite of saveONenergy programs can help all Ontarians conserve electricity and we are pleased to acknowledge their initiative as well as their support for the province's conservation goals."

Conservation helps Ontarians better manage their energy costs, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and, at a current program cost of three cents per kilowatt hour, is less costly than building new generation.

"Congratulations to the eight finalists for this year's Community Conservation Awards. Municipalities are at the forefront of reducing energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.  AMO and our subsidiary, Local Authority Services (LAS), support efforts to build a culture of conservation in Ontario. It's the cheapest energy option and an opportunity to create local employment. These municipalities have shown the economic, social, and environmental benefits of leadership," adds Russ Powers, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). 

Now in their second year, the Community Conservation Awards promote a culture of conservation and encourage Ontario's municipalities to participate in conservation activities. The initiative is a collaborative effort led by the OPA with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and the Electricity Distributors Association (EDA).

"The most effective conservation efforts are locally driven, and a strong municipal role is key to making that happen," says Rene Gatien, chair of the Electricity Distributors Association. "Ontario's electricity distribution companies look forward to continuing to partner with the municipalities recognized today, and all others, to get the best conservation results possible in communities across Ontario."

The Community Conservation Awards are open to all municipalities in Ontario and are presented to communities that demonstrate strong achievement in the following areas:

• Conservation leadership
• Innovation and market transformation
• Corporate/internal and community engagement
• Conservation achievements

Participating communities are required to provide a written submission that outlines their conservation efforts and a case study that highlights their specific conservation initiatives.

The eight finalists were selected by a panel comprised of OPA conservation specialists as well as five external judges who are experts in the municipal conservation field. This year's winners will be announced on December 6, 2013, at the Local Authority Services Connections Energy Symposium in Toronto.

More information about the Community Conservation Awards can be found at powerauthority.on.ca/cca.

Ontario's saveONenergy energy conservation programs can be found at www.saveonenergy.ca.

The Ontario Power Authority is responsible for ensuring a reliable, sustainable supply of electricity for Ontario. Its key areas of focus are planning the power system for the long term, leading and coordinating conservation initiatives across the province, and ensuring development of needed generation resources.

SOURCE: Ontario Power Authority

Media Contact:

John Cannella
Ontario Power Authority
416-969-6307/Toll Free: 1-800-797-9604
[email protected]