Press Release

VANCOUVER – BC Hydro today announced the draft of more than 20 prominent British Columbians to lead Team Power Smart – a province wide initiative to encourage B.C. residents to conserve electricity.

Team Power Smart will promote energy conservation throughout British Columbia by having each leader demonstrate tips to conserve electricity and show how simple lifestyle changes can make a difference.

"Team Power Smart will lead British Columbia by example by taking a few small actions in our everyday behaviours that will make a huge difference in meeting the future energy needs of our growing province," said Premier and general manager of Team Power Smart Gordon Campbell.

Campbell and BC Hydro president and CEO as well as Team Power Smart head coach Bob Elton drafted 20 well-known British Columbians to lead the province in energy conservation. Steve Nash, two-time MVP of the Phoenix Suns was named team captain of Team Power Smart.

"Conservation is our first and best choice to fill B.C.'s electricity gap," said Elton. "Since 2001, BC Hydro has been importing electricity to meet the growing demand in the province. Saving electricity is something each British Columbian can do. We've asked these dynamic leaders to show how easy it is to make a difference."

"By being more aware and taking personal action, each of us can make a difference in conserving more and reducing our impact on the environment," said Nash.

For instance, if every household in B.C. changed their five most-used incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs the energy savings would light 235,000 households a year.

Everyone in British Columbia can join Team Power Smart. Team members who sign up on the website will be able to start their own individual conservation game plan, access tips and information from a personal energy coach and win prizes.

"As conservation ambassadors, team leader's personal stories of individual action will inspire British Columbians to build on our leadership in conservation," Elton said. "And it's not about being perfect. It's about doing the little things that make sense for each person."

Team Power Smart is key to achieving two goals of the B.C. Energy Plan – making B.C. electricity self-sufficient by 2016 and meeting half of our province's future electricity needs through conservation by 2020.

BC Hydro's long-range plans show the province's electricity use will increase as much as 45 per cent over the next 20 years. To meet the conservation target each home in British Columbia will have to curb the trend of growing demand for electricity and consume 10 per cent less electricity than they do today.

Contact:

Gillian Robinson Riddell

Media Relations

Phone: 604 623-4022

gillian.robinson@bchydro.com