Local Electrical Utilities Deliver Their Message to Ontarians

"There's a lot on the line" campaign aims to educate consumers on the critical role their local electrical utility plays in delivering power.

TORONTO, Sept. 22, 2014 /CNW/ - The Electricity Distributors Association – representing local electrical utilities that deliver power to homes, businesses, and institutions throughout the province – has initiated a special communications campaign aimed at the users of electricity and the general public. The goal is to better inform customers of the unique and critical role that electrical utilities play in their communities. The EDA developed and managed the campaign with the input of its utility members.  

"Electricity distributors in Ontario are responsible for about two hundred thousand kilometres of power lines," said EDA Chair Jim Hogan. "Connected to those lines are about five million customers whose needs for safe, reliable power are critical. There is a lot on the line for our customers and our EDA member utilities are wholly focused on meeting their needs."

EDA advertisements will run in a range of print, digital and broadcast media across the province over the next few weeks. They will highlight some of important needs that are "on the line" for end users of electricity – such as health care, manufacturing, education, and recreation.

The EDA membership includes approximately 70 of Ontario's local electrical utilities, each of which serves a specific regional or local service territory. These companies are predominantly owned by local municipalities within their service territories.

"For power consumers, their local utility is the front line of Ontario's electricity system," said Hogan. "As customers, they have a direct relationship with our local members. Local electrical utilities are responsible for the infrastructure and services that actually get electricity to where it's needed, when it's needed."

Collectively, the distribution sector in Ontario manages assets valued at $19 billion and invests $1.9 billion annually in maintaining and expanding infrastructure and other capital spending. The province's distributors contribute $150 million to the provincial government annually (dividends and payments-in-lieu of taxes), and $350 million to municipal governments (dividends, interest payments and property taxes).

At speaking engagements later in the fall, the EDA will elaborate on policy proposals it has made with the potential to save electricity consumers hundreds of millions of dollars annually, and will also comment on the future direction of ongoing re-structuring in Ontario's electricity distribution sector.

For information on the campaign and to learn about the critical role of local electrical utilities, visit www.alotontheline.ca.  Visitors can also post and share their own stories about the importance of electricity in their lives in the "Stories" section.

About the EDA
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 millions of Ontario homes, businesses and public institutions.

Image with caption: "Electricity Distributors Association (CNW Group/Electricity Distributors Association)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140922_C2176_PHOTO_EN_5805.jpg

SOURCE: Electricity Distributors Association

and to arrange interviews please contact the EDA's Coordinator of Corporate Affairs and Communications, Yasmin Heyat, [email protected], at [phone].