Ontario's Electricity Distributors are Joining with their Local
Municipalities to Raise Awareness of Energy Conservation and the Power of
Collective Action

The Power Pledge Community Challenge Throws down the Gauntlet for all Municipalities Vying for the Title of Most Conservation-conscious Community

TORONTO, April 21 /CNW/ - The challenge to communities across Ontario is officially declared and the Electricity Distributors Association (EDA) joins with its local electricity distribution companies and their municipalities in support of the annual Community Challenge, as part of the 2010 Power Pledge province-wide conservation awareness campaign.

"The Community Challenge is symbolic of a larger purpose - it reminds us of the importance of creating a conservation culture that resides in our behaviour not only for one day, but each and every day of the year," says EDA Chair Brian Bentz. "Electricity distributors are working together with their municipalities to join in on this popular challenge and they are encouraging their local citizens to get involved as well."

Over the next five months, Ontarians are being asked to sign on to the pledge and commit to taking meaningful acts of conservation. Participating local municipalities, in cooperation with their local electricity distributors, will vie for the title of most conservation-conscious community. They will do this by reducing electricity usage over a 12-hour period on August 11th from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm in order to achieve the highest percentage drop in electricity. The community that achieves the greatest power savings will be awarded the coveted 'Woodstock Cup,' recognizing the City of Woodstock's ongoing leadership of this friendly mayoral and community competition. Participating municipalities can also vie for the honour of achieving the most pledges, or highest per capita participation by signing on to take the Power Pledge.

Promoting energy conservation awareness is the first step in inspiring action. Ontario's electricity distributors are committed to working with provincial and community partners to help educate, promote and deliver effective energy conservation activities and programs to their local customers.

"Local distributors are proud participants alongside their local communities and will work with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to ensure the accurate and orderly collection of consumption data for the Challenge," said Charlie Macaluso, EDA President and CEO. "Ontario's Electricity Distributors remain committed to creating a culture of conservation among Ontarians - delivering electricity conservation and demand management programs that give electricity consumers the tools they need to conserve."

The Community Challenge is a collaboration of the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), the Electricity Distributors Association (EDA), the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

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 over 4.5 million Ontario homes, businesses and public institutions. The EDA provides members with advocacy and representation in the legislative and regulatory environment and the electricity market in Ontario.

For further information: contact the EDA's Manager of Communications and Media Relations, Christine Hallas at [phone]