The BLACKOUT CHALLENGE - August 2006
Burlington residents and businesses challenged to reduce energy
For Immediate Release: August 4, 2006
City of Burlington
BURLINGTON, ON – The City of Burlington and Burlington Hydro have accepted a province-wide challenge from the City of Woodstock to reduce energy consumption in the City on Monday, August 14, by at least four per cent.
The Voluntary Blackout Day takes place on the anniversary of the August 14, 2003, power failure that left the entire Eastern Seaboard without electricity. The challenge is a way of demonstrating commitment to helping conserve Ontario’s power supply.
The emergency prompted the Woodstock Environmental Advisory Committee (WEAC) and Woodstock Hydro to challenge Woodstock residents to participate in a Voluntary Blackout Day on August 14 last year. The result was a four-per-cent reduction in energy usage and almost a five-per-cent reduction in the peak demand for the day.
This year, Woodstock has challenged all municipalities across Ontario to join them in surpassing that four-per-cent mark. The basis of the challenge is to determine which participating municipality records the largest percentage reduction in electricity consumption compared to a recent day with similar weather and demand conditions.
Burlington Mayor Rob MacIsaac said he is confident that Burlington residents and businesses can meet the challenge and reduce the City’s energy use by more than four per cent on August 14.
"Adopting energy conservation measures is important, particularly for environmental reasons. If we all do our part, not just on August 14 but every day, we can make a significant difference in the quality of our air and improve our quality of life, our health and the economy," MacIsaac said.
MacIsaac said City Hall has already adopted initiatives to conserve energy in City facilities on a daily basis and will take additional steps on August 14.
David Collie, President of Burlington Hydro Inc., said conserving energy is the best way residents and businesses can save money on their electricity bills.
"We are all very aware of the rising costs of energy generation. In Ontario, particularly during hot, smoggy days, demand is increasing faster than supply, requiring imported electricity from our southern neighbours. Conservation is important to manage our supply effectively," Collie said.
Steps that residents and businesses can take to reach the energy reduction goal include:
Increasing air conditioning settings
Using ceiling fans
Closing drapes, blinds and curtains
Turning off unnecessary lights
Using a microwave rather than the oven or stove
Using compact fluorescent lights
Washing clothes in cold water
Filling dishwashers and washing machines to capacity
For more information, contact:
Mayor Rob MacIsaac,
City of Burlington
905 335-7607
David Collie,
President, Burlington Hydro Inc.
905 332-2264
Communications Contact:
Sean O’Brady
Communications Advisor
905. 335. 7600 ext. 7531
905. 632. 9082
obradys@burlington.ca
