Two years ago there was a push for many communities to sell their Hydro Utility. Many of did such as Caledon, Brampton just to name a few. The Town of Halton Hills could have sold ours and maybe got paid millions. Sounds good. But what happens at the end of the a 10 year period or so and you spend the money what then. Well you would be paying your local Hydro bills to a faceless corporation making major decisions and we would have little input or say. Perhaps all local employees of the Hydro would be let go. I believe that you don't heat your home by burning your furniture.
Two years ago Halton Hills council approved a strategic review of Halton Hills Hydro. The review said that it is a valuable asset and it is in the best interest of Halton Hills citizens to retain their local utility.
In 2009 Halton Hills Community Energy Corporation was created as a holding company of Halton Hills Hydro to go along with Southwestern Energy Inc. Hummingbird Wireless. the thrust is to have a community focus with viable subsidiaries.
Today we have a dedicated board of directors who provide leadership and corporate governance to our group of companies. Our board is made up of all local residents and that enables the community aspect to be delivered at our board meetings. Our board is comprised of myself, Anne Lawlor, Graeme Goebelle, Mark Burrows, Chris Cameron, Randy Hammell, Michael O'Sullivan and Town CAO Dennis Perlin.
Now about Hydro rates. We all know that electricity prices are increasing in a large part due to the increase in commodity prices as of May 1 and the inclusion of HST on your bills as of July 1st. I still don't know what possessed the Provincial Government to put HST on heating or cooling your home as this is essential service.
To add to this, we had one of the hottest summers in decades and I know many of you, including yours truly, used your air conditioner. Expect a high hydro bill. Your hydro bill will have all the consumption information with comparison to last year.
If any of you have any questions please call 519-853-3701. At Halton Hills Hydro we encourage all customers to learn more about conservation initiatives at Halton Hills Hydro at www.haltonhillshydro.com
Showing posts with label Halton Hills Hydro. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Halton Hills Hydro. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Halton Hills in Power Pledge Challenge
Last year Halton Hills took up the Power Pledge Challenge and we did extremely well. This year again we will be taking up the challenge. Local residents, businesses and organizations are once again demonstrating their commitment to energy conservation and sustainability by choosing to participate in the 2010 Conservation community Challenge.
The winning Municipalities will earn the right to be considered Ontario's most conservation-conscious community as well as earning valuable " green " awards such as a $10,000 Renewable Energy Award that can be used towards the installation of solar panels on a municipal property.
Presently we are in 6th place out of 89 participating communities-representing 82% of Ontario's population. C'mon Halton Hills we can do this. Currently over 1000 Halton Hills participants have taken the Power Pledge. Just think if each of these individuals fulfills their pledge:
- over 2.2 million kilowatt hours of energy will be saved each year
- nearly $500,000 worth of energy costs will be saved
- about 230,000 kilograms of annual greenhouse gas emissions will be avoided
To help make our community competitive and the challenge a success, the Town has partnered with Halton Hills Hydro, Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce and Practically Green Solutions to raise awareness of energy conservation and sustainability.
This is our you can participate. Register at http://www.powerpledge.ca/ . It only takes a few simple actions to lower energy use and avoid energy costs and reduce greenhouse emissions.
On August 11th, between 8 am and 8 pm do the following:
- turn off any unnecessary lights
- unplug any unnecessary electronics ( i.e. TV, computer, toaster, etc. )
- turn off air conditioner
- avoid major appliances
- do laundry during off-peak hours, use cold water
In the past, it has been rewarding to see so many Halton Hills residents, organizations and businesses taking the Power Pledge. With every new Power Pledge, we are that much closer to winning the competition and being considered one of Ontario's most conservation-conscious communities.
The winning Municipalities will earn the right to be considered Ontario's most conservation-conscious community as well as earning valuable " green " awards such as a $10,000 Renewable Energy Award that can be used towards the installation of solar panels on a municipal property.
Presently we are in 6th place out of 89 participating communities-representing 82% of Ontario's population. C'mon Halton Hills we can do this. Currently over 1000 Halton Hills participants have taken the Power Pledge. Just think if each of these individuals fulfills their pledge:
- over 2.2 million kilowatt hours of energy will be saved each year
- nearly $500,000 worth of energy costs will be saved
- about 230,000 kilograms of annual greenhouse gas emissions will be avoided
To help make our community competitive and the challenge a success, the Town has partnered with Halton Hills Hydro, Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce and Practically Green Solutions to raise awareness of energy conservation and sustainability.
This is our you can participate. Register at http://www.powerpledge.ca/ . It only takes a few simple actions to lower energy use and avoid energy costs and reduce greenhouse emissions.
On August 11th, between 8 am and 8 pm do the following:
- turn off any unnecessary lights
- unplug any unnecessary electronics ( i.e. TV, computer, toaster, etc. )
- turn off air conditioner
- avoid major appliances
- do laundry during off-peak hours, use cold water
In the past, it has been rewarding to see so many Halton Hills residents, organizations and businesses taking the Power Pledge. With every new Power Pledge, we are that much closer to winning the competition and being considered one of Ontario's most conservation-conscious communities.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Halton Hills Hydro Takes Safety Serious
Halton Hills Hydro employees have a lot to be proud of. Not just their customer service but of one very interesting feat. They had a tremendous company record no injuries on the job.
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. The record ended last week as an employee tripped up the stairs earlier in the year and as a result of that incident required knee surgery. We can all be proud of their achievements as they went an unbelievable 2,424 days without a lost day due to injury. That is a total of 6 years, 7 months and 20 days. Truly a remarkable record. When you think of the dangers of some of the jobs entail this is truly commendable. Also the nature of the injury is one that could have happened to anyone of us in our very own home makes should make us all very proud of this feat.
When the record ended the management of Halton Hills Hydro put on a barbecue for all of the employees and Hydro President Art Skidmore did all of the cooking. Myself and Art Skidmore spoke encouraging words to the employees.
Today as I write this, the employees have 9 consecutive days without injury and who knows the record of 2,424 injury free days may be broken.
No matter where you work, safety in the work place is to be taken very serious. All of us can learn from these 42 employees. They have regular safety meetings at work. Steve Mahoney, Chair of the WSIB says there are at least two work related deaths a week in Ontario. So we should all watch out for each other.
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. The record ended last week as an employee tripped up the stairs earlier in the year and as a result of that incident required knee surgery. We can all be proud of their achievements as they went an unbelievable 2,424 days without a lost day due to injury. That is a total of 6 years, 7 months and 20 days. Truly a remarkable record. When you think of the dangers of some of the jobs entail this is truly commendable. Also the nature of the injury is one that could have happened to anyone of us in our very own home makes should make us all very proud of this feat.
When the record ended the management of Halton Hills Hydro put on a barbecue for all of the employees and Hydro President Art Skidmore did all of the cooking. Myself and Art Skidmore spoke encouraging words to the employees.
Today as I write this, the employees have 9 consecutive days without injury and who knows the record of 2,424 injury free days may be broken.
No matter where you work, safety in the work place is to be taken very serious. All of us can learn from these 42 employees. They have regular safety meetings at work. Steve Mahoney, Chair of the WSIB says there are at least two work related deaths a week in Ontario. So we should all watch out for each other.
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