June 10, 2011 – Horizon Utilities Corporation has won the Sustainability Company of the Year Award for 2010 for its overall leadership and innovation with respect to all three pillars of sustainable development, said the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA).

Horizon is among four companies receiving recognition by CEA during Canadian Environment Week. Now being presented for the second time, the annual Sustainable Electricity Program Awards recognize performance in: sustainability company of the year, environmental commitment, social responsibility, and economic excellence. Award recipients were evaluated and selected by an independent panel.

“Building on the CEA sustainability program, Horizon Utilities has shown tremendous leadership in integrating sustainable development to its daily activities and operations,” said Mike Harcourt, Chair of the Sustainable Electricity Program Public Advisory Panel, adding that Horizon delivers among the lowest operating costs and rates for residential and commercial customers in Ontario.

…Who are the other winners?

• Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro (Nalcor): 2010 Environmental Commitment Award for its unique and innovative Wind-Hydrogen-Diesel (WHD) Project. Developed in partnership with Memorial University and the University of New Brunswick, the system supplements diesel requirements with wind and hydrogen technology to help reduce the environmental footprint of electricity generation in isolated communities.

• Hydro One Inc.: 2010 Social Responsibility Award for Hydro One’s innovative stakeholder engagement strategy. A consultation process that included greater involvement in community events, consultations, and technical working groups enhanced Hydro One’s internal decision-making process and increased transparency with customers.

• BC Hydro: 2010 Economic Excellence Award for the utility’s Powering the Greenest Games initiative in support of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. BC Hydro designed the cleanest, most reliable, and most affordable power supply to the Games to date, according to CEA.

“These four winning companies showed extraordinary initiative and leadership in going beyond the status quo, and that is a must-have for promoting innovation and sustainable development in the electricity sector,” said Will Bridge, chief technology officer at TransAlta Corporation and executive chair of the CEA Sustainable Electricity program.