GRAVENHURST, ON, April 19, 2016 /CNW/ - A delegation from Veridian attended today's Town Council meeting to deliver both a cheque and a special announcement. Led by Veridian's President and CEO Michael Angemeer, the group congratulated and thanked Council for the Town's recent energy-efficient LED streetlight conversion, and then announced a three-year lead sponsorship commitment for the Dockside Festival of the Arts.
"We're very pleased to be here in Gravenhurst to celebrate two important milestones," said Angemeer. "First, we want to recognize and congratulate you on your investment in energy efficiency through the recent completion of your LED streetlight upgrade project. Second, we're very pleased to mark our first ten years of service to your community with a sponsorship commitment to the Dockside Festival of the Arts which, as you know, is celebrating a milestone of its own this year."
Angemeer presented Mayor Donaldson and Council with a $94,690.61 cheque for the completion of the Town's streetlight upgrade project. The replacement of almost 800 high intensity discharge lights with energy-efficient LEDs will result in annual energy savings of 251,391 kWh (or 250 MWh) and an annual cost savings of approximately $27,000. The payment was made through the IESO's Save on Energy Retrofit Program, which is delivered by Veridian and provides financial incentives of up to 50 per cent of project costs for installing high efficiency equipment such as lighting, motors and rooftop units.
Angemeer went on to explain that it has been just over ten years since Veridian acquired Gravenhurst Hydro and began serving Town residents. "We're very proud of our accomplishments since we arrived in Gravenhurst on November 1st, 2005," he said. "And, we think it is appropriate that we celebrate these accomplishments and milestones by exhibiting our strong commitment to your community through a three-year lead sponsorship for the Dockside Festival of the Arts."
"The Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce is very excited to have Veridian as a title sponsor for the Dockside Festival this year, and we're over the moon that their commitment is for three years," commented President Bob Collins. "The coincidence of Veridian celebrating 10 years in Gravenhurst and the Dockside Festival 25 years is special for us both. Our partnership in helping the Gravenhurst community become stronger is appreciated."
Veridian has improved system reliability in Gravenhurst by strengthening electrical infrastructure, expanding system automation and responding quickly to devastating storms. In 2014, the utility harmonized distribution rates for all of its service territory; an initiative that resulted in an average reduction of 15 per cent for Gravenhurst customers on the Veridian portion of their bill.
"The Town of Gravenhurst is pleased to have a strong community partner like Veridian, who is helping us to achieve greater energy efficiencies, while working towards meeting one of our key strategic goals of becoming a more environmentally sustainable community. We're also very encouraged to see Veridian investing in our arts and cultural capital. Support from our local businesses and corporate community goes a long way in contributing to the success and popularity of our annual events. It is greatly appreciated," stated Mayor Donaldson.
The Dockside Festival of the Arts is celebrating its 25th anniversary in Gravenhurst this year, and will be running From August 19th to 21st.
About Veridian Connections
Veridian Connections, serving more than 119,000 customers, is about to become the fifth largest municipally owned electric utility in Ontario after the merger of large utilities west of Toronto is completed. The City of Pickering, the Town of Ajax, the Municipality of Clarington and the City of Belleville jointly own Veridian Corporation, the parent company to Veridian Connections. The utility has a successful history of effective growth through two mergers and five acquisitions, and now serves nine communities east and north of Toronto more efficiently than any other large non-contiguous utility in Ontario. Veridian has a keen focus on reliability, customer communication and helping to lower customers' electricity bills through the delivery of innovative conservation programs and reasonable rates. Veridian not only contributes to local communities through industry leading financial returns, but also helps build stronger communities through the support of youth, health, economic development, education, the arts, the environment and the disadvantaged. Industry leading employee programs, public safety and a focus on employee engagement has created an environment that has attracted six consecutive Canada's Greenest Employer awards and one Top GTA Employer award. Veridian has now diversified into renewable energy, and will be establishing other value added offerings for its customers.
SOURCE Veridian
Image with caption: "Veridian (CNW Group/Veridian)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160419_C4443_PHOTO_EN_669649.jpg
Chris Mace, Corporate Communications Representative, Veridian Connections Inc., 905-427-9870, extension 2218, Follow us on Twitter: @VeridianTweets
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