News Release

VANCOUVER –BC Hydro has named 27 B.C. companies as the winners of the 2012 Power Smart Excellence Awards. The awards recognize energy conservation leadership from organizations in the commercial, government, industrial and retail sectors.

QUOTES:
 
Hon. Rich Coleman, Ministry of Energy and Mines:
“Congratulations to this year’s Power Smart award winners. These Power Smart leaders are showing British Columbians how they can save energy and lower their monthly bills. Over the past five years, BC Hydro’s customers have saved $600 million on their electricity bills through Power Smart energy conservation.”
 
Charles Reid, president and CEO, BC Hydro
“I am pleased to congratulate and thank the winners and nominees of the Excellence Awards. This type of recognition goes a long way in building awareness of the benefits of sound energy management. Conservation is the best resource option for BC and we need this kind of leadership to realize our targets for energy savings. In fact, our business customers account for more than 60 per cent of our annual Power Smart savings.”

FACTS:

• BC Hydro’s highest level of recognition, the Power Smart Leader award, was given to seven companies for their best-in-class approach to energy conservation:
  • Cadillac Fairview
  • Canfor Pulp Limited Partnership
  • Fraser Health Authority
  • Gorman Bros. Lumber Ltd.
  • Surrey School District
  • Vancouver Island Health Authority
  • Whistler Blackcomb

• BC Hydro recognized John Cockburn, a Director with the Office of Energy Efficiency at Natural Resources Canada with the Larry Bell Award for his long-standing reputation and proven track record of fostering energy conservation in our province.

• In the commercial and industrial sector, the Energy Conservation Commitment Award was given to ICBC for their long-term integrated energy management plans.

• The Energy Manager Award went to Jerry Wyshnowsky with Thrifty Foods. Richmond School District No. 38 and West Fraser Mills Ltd. were named winners in the New Construction and New Technology categories respectively.
  
  
• The Conservation Partner Award recognized BC Non-Profit Housing Association for their partnership with BC Hydro in promoting energy conservation.

• Philips Lighting was the winner of the Consumer Product Manufacturer category for their leadership and innovation in the field of energy-efficient products.

• London Drugs Limited and the Home Depot of Canada Inc. were awarded the Regional Retailer and National Retailer Awards respectively for their efforts in making energy-efficient products available for consumers and for promoting the benefits of those products.

• Since 2008, Power Smart has saved 3,400 gigawatt hours a year of electricity – enough to power 309,000 B.C. homes.

• BC Hydro’s business customers account for more than 60 per cent of annual Power Smart savings.
  

For more information, visit www.bchydro.com/awards.

-30-

For more information please contact:
BC Hydro Media Relations, p. 604.928.6468