Hydro Ottawa, North American utilities partnering to deal with increasing weather-related emergencies

OTTAWA, Jan. 22, 2016 /CNW/ - Hydro Ottawa is proud to announce it recently signed a formal agreement to become a member of the North Atlantic Mutual Assistance Group (NAMAG). Made up of 29 utilities from across north-east Canada and the United States, NAMAG members agree to deliver not-for-profit assistance during times of crisis.

Designed to increase coordination of resources and support, NAMAG empowers participating utilities to quickly action mutual assistance plans to restore power whenever and wherever assistance is needed. NAMAG utilities represent approximately 36 million customers.

Quick Facts

• When a significant ice storm caused outages to hundreds of thousands of customers in eastern and central Ontario over the Christmas holidays of 2013, Hydro Ottawa sent crews to assist with restoration efforts.
• In 2012, Hydro Ottawa dispatched restoration crews to Connecticut and New Jersey during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
• NAMAG provides enhanced lines of communications between member companies to share best practices and plan for significant events.
• Mutual assistance agreements minimize financial risk for all members with a not-for-profit understanding with requesting utilities agreeing to reimburse responding companies for all expenses incurred when providing the assistance.

Quotes

"Hydro Ottawa has a proud history of providing services to other utilities dealing with weather-related emergencies on both sides of the border. Besides shelter and water, there is probably nothing more essential than electricity during a time of crisis; especially in a north-eastern winter. The North Atlantic Mutual Assistance Group is something that speaks to our values as an organization, and recognizes the importance of being a good neighbour."
- Bryce Conrad, President and Chief Executive Officer

About Hydro Ottawa

Hydro Ottawa's core businesses are delivering electricity, generating renewable power and providing energy conservation/management services. Hydro Ottawa is a community-owned, private company, delivering electricity to more than 319,500 customers in Ottawa and Casselman. It is the largest municipally-owned producer of green power in the province, with hydroelectric and landfill gas-to-energy generating facilities. Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. (Hydro Ottawa) owns and operates two subsidiary companies, Hydro Ottawa Limited and Energy Ottawa Inc.

www.hydroottawa.com

SOURCE Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc.

Image with caption: "Hydro Ottawa has a proud history of providing services to other utilities dealing with weather-related emergencies on both sides of the border. (CNW Group/Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160122_C1890_PHOTO_EN_604227.jpg

Media contact: Daniel Séguin, Manager, Media and Public Affairs, Hydro Ottawa, Tel: [phone] ext. 345, [email protected]