GUELPH, ONTARIO — (Marketwire) — 09/16/11 — Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.
Guelph Hydro Inc. has been named “Large Company of the Year” by the Ontario Energy Association (OEA). This award is given by the association to a company in the Ontario energy sector that sets higher standards for best practices and exceeded objectives in completing a program or programs.
Guelph Hydro received the OEA Large Company of the Year award for excelling in a number of areas, including demonstrating leadership in the field of sustainability, evidenced by the publication of an industry best practice and the installation of one of Ontario–s first rooftop solar facilities on its head office in Guelph.
The showcases Guelph Hydro Inc.–s evolving strategy to integrate sustainable business practices into its day-to-day operations as well as its development plans for community-based sustainable energy projects that support Ontario–s Green Energy and Economy Act and Guelph–s Community Energy Initiative.
“We are delighted to recognize Guelph Hydro as the 2011 OEA Large Company of the Year,” said Elise Herzig, President and CEO of the OEA, in presenting the award at the Ontario Energy Association–s Annual Conference in Niagara Falls. “This recognition by peers in the energy sector reflects Guelph Hydro–s commitment to excellence and in setting higher standards for best practices.”
Guelph Hydro Inc. is one of the first electrical utilities in Ontario and one of only a small number of utilities around the world to publish a sustainability report and measure performance against the , the most widely used standardized framework in the world for reporting an organization–s environmental, social and economic performance.
“The commitment of Guelph Hydro and our employees to energy efficiency, conservation and sustainable energy solutions is not a new development,” said Jasmine Urisk, Board Chair of Guelph Hydro Inc. “We installed a geo-thermal heating and cooling system in our LEED-certified head office back in the mid-1990s; have operated a low-carbon biogas plant since 2005; have worked in partnership with the City of Guelph since 2006 to develop and implement an integrated Community Energy Plan; and have championed energy conservation for years. Looking forward, our first Sustainability Report will serve as our benchmark as we work to further embed sustainable business practices within our operations and help move the communities we serve towards a sustainable energy future and a reduced carbon footprint.”
“During this period of major transformation in the energy industry, we, at Guelph Hydro, consider ourselves to be in a very fortunate and unique position in the Ontario energy landscape,” said Barry Chuddy, CEO of Guelph Hydro Inc. “Not only is our Board committed to sustainability, but also, we are owned by the City of Guelph, one of the few communities in Canada with the vision and political will to publish and take steps to implement a truly inspired Community Energy Plan. The Guelph Hydro Sustainability Report clearly illustrates how the alignment between Guelph Hydro–s business strategies and the implementation of well-thought-out sustainable energy and community planning will benefit our customers and the community of Guelph in terms of positive environmental impact and economic growth. It is the like-mindedness of our approach that is the secret of our success.”
“Our hope,” continued Chuddy, “is that by publishing our Sustainability Report and installing solar panels on our roof to generate clean, renewable power for the Ontario grid, we will serve as a model for other organizations – large and small businesses, municipalities and other utilities – in pursuing sustainable business practices.”
About the Ontario Energy Association
The OEA has more than 150 corporate members that represent the full diversity of the energy industry in Ontario – power producers, firms that transport, transmit and deliver natural gas and electricity, marketers and retailers, manufacturers, contractors, service providers and energy consultants.
About Guelph Hydro Inc.
Guelph Hydro Inc. is helping to create a reliable, diversified and sustainable energy supply to ensure the long-term competitiveness and prosperity of the communities it serves. The company is actively developing sustainable energy projects (solar, district energy, combined heat and power and bioenergy) as a key implementer of the City of Guelph–s Community Energy Initiative.
Guelph Hydro Inc. is the holding company for Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc., the local electricity distribution company serving 50,000 customers in Guelph and Rockwood, Ontario, and for Ecotricity Guelph Inc, an alternative energy company, also located in Guelph.
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Contacts:
Guelph Hydro Inc.
Sandy Manners
Director of Corporate Communications
519.837.4703 or Cell: 226.218.0157