Newsroom

TORONTO, Sept. 21 /CNW/ - Hydro One is pleased to support this year's International Plowing Match (IPM) and Rural Expo.  As part of its support, Hydro One energized Canada's largest rural fair for the eighth consecutive year. The 2010 IPM runs from September 21 to 25 and is expected to draw almost 100,000 visitors from across the province and Canada to St. Thomas, Ontario. 

"Every year, Hydro One looks forward to its participation in the International Plowing Match," said Laura Formusa, President and CEO of Hydro One. "Hydro One is proud to be the primary distributor of electricity to Ontario's farmers and rural communities. The agricultural sector makes a vital contribution to our province's economy and culture."

Hydro One's support includes erecting the electricity grid for the Plowing Match, and delivering the electricity that makes the event run. In the six weeks leading up to the fair, apprentice crews receive valuable training as they install 360 poles and 20 kilometres of wire to electrify the fair grounds. Power lines aren't live during the set-up for the match, so it provides a safe and valuable training opportunity for the apprentices. After the fair, the infrastructure will be dismantled and set aside for the next year's Plowing Match.

At the Hydro One tent, the company partners with 4-H Ontario to raise money through offering rides in the high-reach Bronto bucket truck. For a $2 donation to the 4-H, visitors will be lifted 45 metres in the air for a bird's-eye view of the fairgrounds. Year after year, the Bronto continues to be one of the most popular features at the Hydro One tent.

Visitors to the Hydro One tent will have the opportunity to speak with employees and learn more about conservation programs and forestry initiatives. This year, Hydro One is making a special effort to convey important information about changes to electricity bills and the value of electricity in everyday life. Visitors get to spin the 'Wheel of Conservation' to win energy-efficient prizes such as programmable thermostats and compact fluorescent light bulbs.   

Hydro One delivers electricity safely, reliably and responsibly to homes and businesses across the province of Ontario and owns and operates Ontario's 29,000 km high-voltage transmission network that delivers electricity to large industrial customers and municipal utilities, and a 122,000 km low-voltage distribution system that serves about 1.3 million end-use customers and smaller municipal utilities in the province. Hydro One is wholly owned by the Province of Ontario.