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TORONTO, June 8, 2011 /CNW/ - Hydro One has received the Canadian Electricity Association's (CEA) 2010 Sustainable Electricity Social Responsibility Award in recognition of its leadership in engaging its stakeholders.

The annual CEA Sustainable Electricity Program rewards exceptional sustainable development performance of CEA member companies. Many members invest in innovative and cutting-edge projects that have lasting benefits to the communities in which they operate. The Sustainable Electricity awards program recognizes those companies that reduce adverse impacts and contribute to environmental, social, or economic sustainability and the long-term success of the electricity industry. Awards submissions are evaluated by the Sustainable Electricity program's Public Advisory Panel.

"Stakeholder engagement is a critical function for Hydro One, whether we're working with a community to site new facilities or helping stakeholders understand our Company and our business," said Laura Formusa, President and CEO, Hydro One Inc. "This award is recognition of our belief that how you do business is just as important as what you do."

The CEA's Sustainable Electricity Social Responsibility Award recognizes Hydro One's commitment to meeting face to face, sharing information, supporting technical working groups and consulting with stakeholders affected by Hydro One projects and plans. Municipalities, land owners, First Nation and Métis communities, government agencies, and community organizations and special interest groups are consulted to enhance Hydro One's internal decision-making processes. This ensures a transparent flow of information between the Company and its stakeholders and communities.

One of the projects recognized by the CEA involved community outreach at fall fairs across the province to deliver the "Understanding Your Power" event to customers and stakeholders. The objective of the program was to engage directly with Hydro One customers and stakeholders in their communities and increase awareness and understanding of Ontario's electricity system and the future electricity infrastructure needs in the province. Customers were able to have conversations with Hydro One employees and learn about how electricity is delivered to their homes, electrical safety for children, smart meters, time-of-use pricing and conservation and demand management programs.

Hydro One was also recognized for its innovative outreach with First Nations and Métis communities. The Company helped to increase the awareness of Hydro One opportunities, application requirements and process for trades, technical and professional positions by creating the "Annual Aboriginal Opportunities Circle" for aboriginal summer students. The Circle highlights Hydro One as an employer of choice for Aboriginal youth and provides networking opportunities with Aboriginal employees in different professions. The project was also recognized as a best practice in the industry by the Aboriginal Human Resource Council.

The CEA Sustainability Awards recognize organizations which apply innovative thinking to sustainability issues, by integrating environmental, economic and social factors in successful solutions. Last year, Hydro One was also recognized, for its environmental initiatives, receiving the CEA's 2009 Environmental Commitment Award, and earning the CEA's Sustainability Company of the Year Award.

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 123,000 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.