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TORONTO, June 13, 2019 —The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) presented Hydro One with an Emergency Assistance Award for its response efforts following a deadly California wildfire in November 2018 that tragically claimed the lives of 85 people and caused devastating damage.
Hydro One deployed approximately 40 forestry staff including specialized technicians to help Pacific Gas & Electric inspect its electrical system and identify hazards near Chico, California over the course of nearly one month.
“Our crews were on the ground where they witnessed the heartbreaking impact the devastating fire had in California. I am proud of our crews who represented Canada during this time with their dedication, skills and commitment to safety,” said Darlene Bradley, acting Chief Operating Officer, Hydro One. “We would like to thank the Edison Electric Institute for presenting Hydro One with this award and recognizing our unwavering commitment to helping those in need whether at home or abroad.”
Representing the ninth award Hydro One has received from the EEI, this recognition demonstrates the company's growing reputation for industry-leading emergency response.
“Mutual assistance is a hallmark of our industry and depends on electric companies helping other electric companies quickly respond during times of need,” said Tom Kuhn, EEI President. “I thank Hydro One for responding to this mutual assistance call and for its crews’ efforts to restore service safely and quickly to customers in the impacted area.”
The Emergency Assistance Award is presented to EEI member companies for outstanding emergency response efforts and assistance provided to other electric companies following severe weather or other natural events. Winners are chosen by a panel of judges following an international nomination process.
Hydro One has reciprocal agreements in place with North American utilities to provide assistance during significant power outages.
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About Edison Electric Institute:
EEI is the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. Our members provide electricity for 220 million Americans, and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As a whole, the electric power industry supports more than 7 million jobs in communities across the United States. In addition to our U.S. members, EEI has more than 65 international electric companies as International Members, and hundreds of industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate Members.
About Hydro One:
We are Ontario's largest electricity transmission and distribution provider with almost 1.4 million valued customers, almost C$25.5 billion in assets and 2018 annual revenues of almost C$6.2 billion. Our team of approximately 8,600 skilled and dedicated employees proudly build and maintain a safe and reliable electricity system which is essential to supporting strong and successful communities. In 2018, Hydro One invested almost $1.6 billion in its 30,000 circuit kilometres of high-voltage transmission and 123,000 circuit kilometres of primary distribution networks and injected approximately $1.3 billion into the economy by buying goods and services in Ontario. We are committed to the communities where we live and work through community investment, sustainability and diversity initiatives. We are one of only six utility companies in Canada to achieve the Sustainable Electricity Company designation from the Canadian Electricity Association. Through Hydro One Telecom Inc.'s extensive fibre optic network, we also provide advanced broadband telecommunications services on a wholesale basis. Hydro One Limited's common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: H).
