Toronto Hydro launches online Earth Hour contest

TORONTO, ONTARIO - Is it seven, 10 or 15 per cent? How much will Toronto's electricity demand drop during Earth Hour 2009?

You tell us!

Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited (Toronto Hydro) is calling on Torontonians to raise the bar and lower electricity demand in the city. To increase participation in this year's Earth Hour, Toronto Hydro is launching an online contest asking Torontonians How Low Can We Go T.O.?

Toronto Hydro is inviting Torontonians to place their votes on www.howlowcanwegoto.ca. If they guess the correct range of electricity drop, they're automatically entered in a draw to win one of 10 Earth Hour prize packs.

The prize pack includes one solar powered backpack capable of charging small electronic devices, one crank handle flashlight and solar powered clock as well as other Earth Hour inspired items.

Last year during Earth Hour, Toronto dropped its electricity demand by 8.7 per cent - that's the equivalent of taking 262 megawatts off the grid, or approximately 5.8 million light bulbs!

"Earth Hour is an important initiative to remind Torontonians about the importance of conserving electricity," says David O'Brien, President and Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Hydro Corporation. "The simple act of turning off the lights can make an incredible impact on the electricity grid and the environment. We're encouraging everyone to participate and this contest is a fun way to get involved."

Participants are encouraged to use battery-powered laptops during Earth Hour to follow the drop in the city's electricity usage 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.

This year, we want to lower the demand even further, and we need your help. Log on and have your say - then don't forget to turn your lights off on March 28! Earth Hour is the "lights out" initiative that 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.