powerWISE Second Quarter 2006 Update on Conservation in Ontario

Six of Ontario's largest local electricity distribution companies, cooperatively delivering energy conservation programs under the powerWISE(R) name are pleased to provide an update on activities during the second quarter of 2006. Through combined investments, the group continues to promote energy conservation in their respective service areas.

Working with the Conservation Bureau of the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), the Electricity Distributors Association (EDA), municipalities, local electricity distribution utilities, and the Government of Ontario, powerWISE is committed to delivering over $70 million in comprehensive conservation programs over a three-year period, ending 2007. In the second quarter of this year, powerWISE members spent over $8.5 million on conservation programs. The group has spent more than $32.3 million on programs geared to helping customers conserve electricity since the coalition's inception.

"We're constantly looking to develop and promote new and innovative programs, aimed at helping our customers conserve electricity, particularly in the hot summer months," said David O'Brien, President and CEO, Toronto Hydro Corporation. "Customers are grasping the concept that conserving electricity is everyone's responsibility."

Since December 2004, several programs have been introduced to customers. In the quarter ending June 30, 2006, many of the previously launched programs continued and a number of new initiatives were introduced. These include:

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- Keep Cool - In June, several powerWISE members in partnership with

the Clean Air Foundation launched Keep Cool, a room air conditioner

retirement program. In just three weekends, residents in several

communities across Ontario turned in almost 15,000 old room air

conditioners to participating Home Depot and Home Hardware locations,

and received a $25 gift card to the retailer for their old unit. This

represents a reduction of about 17 Megawatts (MW) of peak demand

energy - enough electricity to power almost 5,000 homes.

- Smart Meters - Installations in the second quarter topped 50,000;

with over 74,864 installations since deployment began.

ENERSOURCE

- Enersource officially launched "Smart Avenues", a DVD production

designed to demonstrate practical ways that electricity conservation

can be married with smart meters to save on electricity costs. Launch

events included a premier theatre screening in Toronto, mailing to

industry stakeholders and a special community open house event for

residents of Smart Avenues, Mississauga's first smart metered

community.

- Enersource expanded its popular Water Heater Tune Up program, setting

a new quarterly program record with over 5,000 residential and 500

commercial business appointments completed in just 3 months.

HORIZON

- Horizon Utilities launched Keep Cool and Cool Shops programs in

partnership with the Clean Air Foundation. The ongoing Cool Shops

program targets small commercial businesses in Hamilton and St.

Catharines and provides them with free mini-energy audits,

conservation tips, compact fluorescent light bulbs and LED exit light

bulb replacements as well as discounts for a variety of energy

efficient products.

- Horizon Utilities partnered with Environment Hamilton to offer the

Energizing North Hamilton pilot project. The project involved

approaching 5,000 homes to complete a transit/conservation survey and

receive a Conservation Kit in exchange. More than 350 Conservation

Kits have also been distributed to Horizon customers who "Go

Paperless" by opting for e-billing and preauthorized payment.

HYDRO OTTAWA

- Hydro Ottawa's Events Van and the Hydro Ottawa powerWISE Mascot have

taken the conservation message to the streets by visiting various

community events around the city. Staffed with two conservation

specialists and equipped with money saving information and displays,

this new program is promoting the development of a lasting

'conservation culture' in Ottawa communities.

- Hydro Ottawa has expanded its Fridge Bounty II Program to include

freezers. More than 2,000 customer appointments have been made for

the removal of fridges and freezers.

POWERSTREAM

- Through its partnership with the Markham Energy Conservation Office

(MECO), PowerStream assisted the Town of Markham in the purchase and

installation of an Energy and Environmental Management System (EEMS)

which enables Town of Markham staff to track real time energy

profiles and measure the impact of conservation program within the

municipality's own operations.

- In partnership with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA),

PowerStream announced the winners of their Archetype Sustainable

House Design Competition at a special summer solstice gala at the

Design Exchange in Toronto. The chosen design, named "Building

Blocks" will be built later this year as a full-scale demonstration

model for sustainable development at the Kortright Centre for

Conservation in Vaughan.

TORONTO HYDRO

- Together with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), Toronto Hydro

developed a renewable energy module for the grade five curriculum.

This comprehensive program, part of TDBS's Eco Schools, is aimed at

engaging staff, students, and parents to take leadership and action

to help build a healthy and sustainable future.

- In partnership with the city of Toronto, Toronto Hydro reached a peak

demand savings of 876 kW in the lighting retrofits of civic

facilities, arenas and LED traffic lights.

VERIDIAN

- Veridian launched the powerWISE 'Tune up and Save' program for

electric waters. Offered free of charge to the first 1,000

registrants, the tune ups consist of the supply and installation of a

water heater insulation blanket, pipe wrap insulation, energy

efficient showerheads, faucet aerators, and two compact fluorescent

light bulbs. Participating customers can expect to save as much as

$100 a year on their electricity bills.

- Introduced the powerWISE 'Watt Reader Loan Program' in partnership

with the Ajax Public Library. Through this partnership, library

patrons can borrow a Watt Reader to help them explore how they use

electricity in their homes. Each Watt Reader loan includes a user's

guide and conservation literature and, the first 500 participants

will receive a free compact fluorescent light bulb.

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The powerWISE alliance, including Enersource Hydro Mississauga, Horizon Utilities Corporation, Hydro Ottawa Limited, PowerStream Inc., Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited and Veridian Connections serves 1.7 million Ontario customers or 40% of the province. In 2005, the powerWISE members helped customers conserve over 110 million-kilowatt hours or enough to power over 12,250 Ontario homes. The powerWISE members continue to deliver new and innovative programs and are fully committed to the goal of reducing electricity demand and creating a culture of conservation in Ontario.

Visit www.powerwise.ca to learn how to conserve energy and save money.

For further information: Ken MacDonald, Enersource Corporation, (905) 283-4050; Sandy Manners, Horizon Utilities Corporation, (905) 317-4707; Elise Proulx, Hydro Ottawa Limited, (613) 221-0063; Eric Fagen, PowerStream Inc., (905) 417-6910; Tanya Bruckmueller, Toronto Hydro Corporation, (416) 542-2621; George Armstrong, Veridian Corporation, (905) 427-9870, ext. 2202

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