Hydro One's greener fleet awarded gold rating

TORONTO, ONTARIO - Hydro One's efforts to improve both fuel efficiency and environmental management of its fleet of service vehicles have earned the gold rating from Canada's Energy, Environment and Excellence group.

The E3 Fleet Program is an initiative run by British Columbia's Fraser Basin Council, a Vancouver-based non-profit organization which works with companies and governments to increase fuel efficiency in their fleets and reduce their carbon footprint. The program auditors noted the rating should encourage other companies to demonstrate leadership in fleet management excellence.

Hydro One's gold rating was based on the reduction of 156,675 KG of carbon dioxide through reduced fleet idling, tire smart campaign, use of hybrids, purchasing more fuel-efficient vehicles as well as overall reduced consumption of gasoline and diesel fuel. All aspects of Hydro One's fleet management strategy were reviewed, to ensure the 6,000 pieces of equipment ranging from ATVs to helicopters operate with green standards in mind.

"As we manage our fleet programs and customer service initiatives, our employees continue to place the first priority on safety and environmental stewardship," said Laura Formusa, President and CEO, Hydro One. "Hydro One's Environmental Plan includes a Green Fleet Action Plan, and I am pleased that our efforts as a Company to reduce emissions and become even more environmentally efficient in day-to-day operations have been successful."

E3Fleet program Auditors noted that Hydro One has reduced fuel consumption by ensuring all drivers learn and apply environmentally friendly driving tips as well as defensive driving techniques. New initiatives to minimize idling include permitting remote starts from the lift bucket for aerial manlifts, so that the vehicle chassis can be shut down when manlift movement is not required.

Other green initiatives include onboard collection and analysis of vehicle data through GPS, and use of mapping technologies to choose more efficient routing. In addition, when equipment requires repairs, mobile mechanics can be sent to the vehicle itself, or the vehicle can be taken to a satellite work centre, to minimize travel time and associated vehicle emissions.