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City of Woodstock and Woodstock Hydro receive recognition for Voluntary Blackout Day - Environmental Communication Options/Huff Strategy

City of Woodstock and Woodstock Hydro receive recognition for Voluntary Blackout Day

Sep 15th, 2006 6:47 AM

Peter Loves visits Woodstock to celebrate culture of conservation (Woodstock, ON, September 15, 2006) Peter Love, Ontario’s first Chief Energy Conservation Officer, congratulated all the municipalities that participated in the Voluntary Blackout Day, and awarded a prestigious Certificate of Recognition to the City of Woodstock and Woodstock Hydro. “Woodstock’s challenge to the rest of Ontario shows that creating a culture of conservation begins at the grassroots level,” says Love. “It makes us – as individuals, as municipalities, as Ontarians – reflect on the importance of our relationship with electricity, and how important it is in our lives, every day.” Woodstock City Council initiated Voluntary Blackout Day in 2005, encouraging its residents to use less electricity in remembrance of the great blackout of 2003. The entire town rallied, and reduced consumption by about 4 per cent. This year, the City challenged the rest of Ontario to reduce its electricity use, and about 25 municipalities joined in. Although Windsor achieved the largest conservation result, all participants are congratulated for their efforts in reducing energy consumption. “We’re all winners when we all conserve,” says Love. “And the Voluntary Blackout Day is a great way to heighten awareness of conservation all year long.” Woodstock Mayor Michael Harding applauded the leadership and enthusiasm demonstrated by his Mayoral cohorts, and more specifically, everyone in the province who so willingly embraced the challenge. “Conservation begins at the grassroots level, in every home and every business,” noted Harding. “Initially, we make an effort to conserve, but eventually it becomes a natural habit. This program is one small part of raising awareness in a lasting change toward sustainability.” Mayor Harding added that next year’s Voluntary Blackout Day is planned for Tuesday August 14 and “We expect business participation will drive some significant results.” -30- For more information, cotact: • Mayor Michael Harding, City of Woodstock, 519-539-2382 x 811 • Jay Heaman, Woodstock Hydro Services Inc., 519-537-7172 x 255 • Barton Sala, Ontario Power Authority/Conservation Bureau, 416-969-6009 • Kathryn Chopp, Ontario Power Authority/Conservation Bureau, 416-969-6081 Voluntary Blackout 2006 Participants Towns and Cities: • Arthur • Burlington (Burlington Hydro) • Collingwood (Collingwood Utility Services) • Elora • Fergus • Goderich (West Coast Huron Energy) • Guelph (Guelph Hydro) • Hanover (Westario Power) • Holstein • Kitchener (Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro) • Midland (Midland Power Utility Corporation) • Mount Forest • Orillia (Orillia Power) • Owen Sound • Parry Sound (Parry Sound Hydro) • Sarnia (Bluewater Power) • Thessalon • Waterloo (Waterloo North Hydro) • Woodstock • Windsor (ENWIN) Counties: • Haldimand County Townships: • Township of Centre Wellington (Centre Wellington Hydro) Including Elora and Fergus • Township of Galway-Cavendish and Harvey • Township of Essa • Township of Wellington North Including Arthur, Holstein, and Mount Forest