Toronto Hydro's Conservation Customer of the Week: Loblaw Serves up Conservation and 'Walks the Talk'

AUG 7, 2007 - 10:53 ET
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire - Aug. 7, 2007)

Toronto Hydro-Electric System ("Toronto Hydro") would like to commend its Conservation Customer of the Week, Loblaw Companies Limited ("Loblaw"). This summer Toronto Hydro, through its Green Profiles campaign, is showcasing business customers who are 'walking the talk'. Loblaw Companies is a great example of a company that is conserving electricity and investing in energy efficiency.

Businesses make up only 20 per cent of Toronto Hydro's customer base, but actually account for up to 80 per cent of electricity use during summer months. For businesses that haven't started 'walking the talk,' this summer Toronto Hydro is offering another reason to start - the Summer Challenge for Business. Customers who reduce their electricity use by 10 per cent between July and August (when compared to last year) will receive an additional 10 per cent credit on their fall bill, essentially doubling the savings. Businesses don't need to sign up, just start conserving. It's available to all eligible Toronto Hydro customers, from a small local corner store, who could see a savings of approximately $50, to leading property management companies that operate the skyscrapers in the heart of the city's financial district, who could see a savings of up to $40,000.

For more information, visit www.torontohydro.com/bizchallenge.

Recently, Loblaw invested over $1.5 million in energy retrofits in over 30 stores in the Greater Toronto Area. The retrofits included lighting conversions, and the installation of an energy management system for its heating, ventilation and air conditioning and refrigeration. To date, this initiative has realized a savings of over 58,000 megawatt hours, equivalent to taking 4,800 homes off the grid for a year or 45,000 cars off the road for a year.

Loblaw has also incorporated innovative demand-response software at 110 locations across Ontario within select Loblaws, Zehrs and Real Canadian Superstore banners. So on days when the grid is stressed, Loblaw can remotely control its lighting levels, and cycle down its heating, ventilation and air conditioning functions from one central location, taking some strain off the electricity system.

Loblaw voluntarily initiates "Level 3 Demand Response" Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., which accounts for a 30 per cent lighting reduction. When the Provincial demand is not expected to meet its supply, and when directed by the Province, Loblaw initiates a "Level 4 Demand Response," which reduces lighting by 60 per cent and air conditioning by more than half, reducing the company's overall demand on the Provincial supply by 20 per cent.

About Loblaw Companies Limited
Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada's largest food distributor and a leading provider of general merchandise, drugstore and financial products and services. Through its various operating banners, Loblaw is committed to providing Canadians with a one-stop destination in meeting their food and everyday household needs. This goal is pursued through a portfolio of store formats across the country. It also offers one of Canada's strongest control label programs, including the unique President's Choice and no name brands. Loblaw is one of the largest private-sector employers in Canada, employing over 134,000 full-time and part-time employees.

About Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited
A wholly owned subsidiary of Toronto Hydro Corporation, Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited delivers electricity through a complex network of poles, wires and underground structures to 678,000 customers and distributes approximately 18 per cent of the electricity in the province of Ontario. Toronto Hydro Corporation is owned 100 per cent by the City of Toronto.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited
Tanya Bruckmueller
(416) 542-2621 or C:(416) 902-9437
Email: tbruckmueller-wilson@torontohydro.com

or

Loblaw Companies Limited
Danielle Rouleau
(905) 459-2500 ext3639
Email: Danielle.Rouleau@loblaw.ca