POPULAR saveONenergy PROGRAM KEY TO LOWERING ONTARIO's SUMMER PEAK DEMAND

OPA's conservation programs saving 1900MW of electricity - equivalent of powering 600,000 homes

TORONTO, June 19, 2013 /CNW/ - The Ontario Power Authority, in collaboration with Ontario's Local Distribution Companies (LDCs), today launched the saveONenergy AND BE REWARDED campaign.  This campaign builds on the OPA's highly successful conservation efforts by helping Ontarians manage electricity costs through three key OPA-funded programs: peaksaver PLUS^®, saveONenergy FRIDGE & FREEZER PICKUP and saveONenergy HEATING & COOLING INCENTIVE. As an incentive, the campaign offers participating customers the opportunity to earn up to 250 AIR MILES^® reward miles.

"Today's launch is bringing Ontario closer to reaching our long term conservation goals," said Andrew Pride, Vice President of Conservation at the OPA. "Conservation is our cleanest and cheapest energy source. It's good for consumers, good for our environment and good for our electricity system. Together with the LDCs and our customers, we are building on the tremendous success of our saveONenergy programs and creating a cleaner and greener Ontario."

The OPA's suite of saveONenergy programs has grown into one of North America's most successful and comprehensive conservation efforts. It has helped Ontarians save 1900 MW of electricity - the equivalent of powering 600,000 homes. The saveONenergy AND BE REWARDED campaign will be offered across the province in collaboration with the LDCs.

"AIR MILES is a proud partner of the OPA and believes it is also our role to inspire and reward Ontarians for conserving energy," said Angela Simo Brown, General Manager, AIR MILES for Social Change.  "With nearly 74% of Ontario households active in the program, we bring considerable power and reach to the saveONenergy AND BE REWARDED campaign."

Ontarians have embraced the importance of conserving electricity and making their homes more energy efficient. By participating in the OPA's saveONenergy programs, they have reduced electricity use and costs, contributed to significant province-wide savings and helped transform Ontario's electricity sector. The saveONenergy AND BE REWARDED campaign will run from June 17, 2013 until December 31, 2014.

About the Ontario Power Authority

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 co-ordinating conservation initiatives across the province and ensuring the development of needed generation resources.

Participating in the saveONenergy AND BE REWARDED campaign

Ontarians must register online at saveonenergyrewards.ca to be eligible to earn AIR MILES reward miles when they participate in saveONenergy conservation programs - peaksaver PLUS, HEATING & COOLING INCENTIVE and FRIDGE & FREEZER PICKUP.

Video with caption: "Video: POPULAR saveONenergy PROGRAM KEY TO LOWERING ONTARIO's SUMMER PEAK DEMAND". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20130619_C9502_VIDEO_EN_28199.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20130619_C9502_PHOTO_EN_28199.jpg&clientName=Ontario%20Power%20Authority&caption=Video%3A%20%20POPULAR%20saveONenergy%20PROGRAM%20KEY%20TO%20LOWERING%20ONTARIO%27s%20SUMMER%20PEAK%20DEMAND&title=ONTARIO%20POWER%20AUTHORITY%20%2D%20POPULAR%20saveONenergy%20PROGRAM%20KEY%20TO%20LOWERING%20ONTARIO%27s%20SUMMER%20PEAK%20DEMAND&headline=POPULAR%20saveONenergy%20PROGRAM%20KEY%20TO%20LOWERING%20ONTARIO%27s%20SUMMER%20PEAK%20DEMAND

Video with caption: "Video B-Roll: New campaign builds on OPA's successful conservation efforts by helping Ontarians manage electricity costs". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20130619_C9502_VIDEO_EN_28200.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20130619_C9502_PHOTO_EN_28200.jpg&clientName=Ontario%20Power%20Authority&caption=Video%20B%2DRoll%3A%20New%20campaign%20builds%20on%20OPA%27s%20successful%20conservation%20efforts%20by%20helping%20Ontarians%20manage%20electricity%20costs&title=ONTARIO%20POWER%20AUTHORITY%20%2D%20POPULAR%20saveONenergy%20PROGRAM%20KEY%20TO%20LOWERING%20ONTARIO%27s%20SUMMER%20PEAK%20DEMAND&headline=POPULAR%20saveONenergy%20PROGRAM%20KEY%20TO%20LOWERING%20ONTARIO%27s%20SUMMER%20PEAK%20DEMAND

SOURCE: Ontario Power Authority

Media Contacts

Ontario Power Authority: 416-969-6307 / Toll Free: 1-800-797-9604

Broadcast video to support this story is available to download at:
http://cnw.pathfireondemand.com/viewpackage.action?packageid=726