Newsroom

< Back to News Room

There's Only One Question on the Minds of Torontonians this Earth Hour Eve: How Low Can We Go T.O.?

    TORONTO, March 27 /CNW/ - Since Toronto Hydro-Electric System ("Toronto
Hydro") launched its online contest How Low Can We Go T.O.?, Torontonians have
been logging on to www.howlowcanwegoto.ca to guess this year's electricity
load drop in Toronto during Earth Hour.
    And what is the general consensus? The majority of voters registered
to-date (70 per cent) are predicting the City's collective effort will result
in an electricity reduction of 9 per cent or more. If they are correct, that's
equivalent to taking approximately 190,000 homes off the City's grid for one
hour.
    "Turning off the lights is the first step we can take towards creating a
culture of conservation," said David O'Brien, President and Chief Executive
Officer, Toronto Hydro Corporation. "That's why we need everyone to tell their
friends, families and neighbours to get involved." Mr. O'Brien is still
sticking to his prediction of a 10 per cent drop in Toronto's electricity
usage.
    Earth Hour is Saturday, March 28, 2009 and Toronto Hydro is calling on
Torontonians to turn off their lights between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. to help fight
global warming. The utility will be monitoring the drop from its Control Room
and voters who correctly guess the range in electricity drop in How Low Can We
Go T.O.? will be automatically entered to win one of 10 Earth Hour prize packs
including a solar powered backpack for charging small electronic devices, a
crank handle flashlight, solar powered clock and a fashionable recycled tote.
    It's not too late to enter! Visit www.howlowcanwegoto.ca to guess the
drop. Then follow the action during Earth Hour as it happens live at
www.torontohydro.com/electricsystem. After the official numbers have been
verified, the lucky contest winners will be drawn and the correct range in
electricity drop will be posted on the web.

    About Earth Hour

    Earth Hour is the "lights out" initiative which began in Australia in
2007 as a one-city environmental campaign. In 2008, 50 million people across
35 countries turned off their lights in support of Earth Hour, sending a
message around the globe that the collective actions of individuals really can
trigger change. For more information about Earth Hour, please visit
www.earthhourcanada.org.

    Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited

    Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited is the regulated distribution
affiliate and is one of the largest municipal electric distribution utilities
in Canada, delivering electricity to a broadly diversified, residential,
commercial and industrial customer base in the City of Toronto. The utility
serves more than 684,000 customers.

    NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Contest open to residents of the City of Toronto,
at least 18 years of age. Chances of winning depend on the number of eligible
entries received by 9:30 p.m. March 28, 2009. Winning entrants are required to
correctly answer a mathematical skill-testing question. Limit one prize per
person or household. Other terms and conditions may apply. Contest runs
between 9:30 a.m. Friday, March 20, 2009 through to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March
28, 2009.