Niagara-On-The-Lake Hydro

Niagara-on-the-Lake Energy Inc. is committed to operating as a sustainable high performance, customer driven business, delivering value-added energy-related services and products by:

º Providing the highest standard safety, service and reliability,

º Assessing Green Energy Opportunities

º Operating with integrity in all our dealings, and

º Building value for our shareholder, the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Values

Our values reflect our mission and our desire to maintain the trust that the community has placed in us:

♦  Providing the highest standard of safety, service and reliability                                                                               

• º    Consistently improve controlled reliability
• º    Assessing new technologies as they become available
• º    Deliver the service wanted/expected by our customers at the lowest possible cost
• º    Maintain the first quartile performance in the average bill to our customers amongst the Niagara-Erie area LDC's
• º    Achieve highest standard of E&USA equivalent Zero Quest

 ♦  Assessing Green Energy Opportunities  

• º    Ensuring the technical and financial feasibility of GE initiatives
• º    Assisting customers in implementation of GE activities
• º    Implementing value-added projects

♦  Operating with integrity in all our dealings

• º    Open and honest communications with our staff, customers, government agencies, associates and
•      partners, and with other electric utilities, the media and Town Council
• º    Integrity in our financial statements

♦  Building value for our shareholder, the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake

• º    Leaving everything we touch better than we found it: 

• º    Balance the need for both long and short term returns
• º    Support the goals of our owner, the Town
• º    Protect and enhance the value of our assets
• º    Maintain a strong electric utility team

 Electricity was first introduced to Niagara-on-the-Lake in 1892 as an electric railway operated between Table Rock at Niagara Falls and the Village of Queenston. Electric lines were extended from St. Davids into the Old Town in 1912 resulting in the formation of the Niagara Hydro Electric Commission to oversee the electrical distribution business. The electrical power was originally brought to the water pumphouse on Collingwood Street and provided the first 'running' water to the town. An electrical substation was constructed on or around 1920 and electricity was then made available to homes and businesses but only between the hours of 7 a.m. and midnight. In 1922, the Sir Adam Beck 1 Generating Station opened in what is now south Niagara-on-the-Lake and was one of the largest generating stations in the world at that time.

The Niagara Hydro Electric Commission managed the electrical distribution system in the Old Town and Village of Queenston until January 1, 1983 at which time the distribution assets of the entire municipality were purchased from Ontario Hydro. Later, the passage of the Electricity Act in 1998 resulted in the incorporation of Niagara-on-the-Lake Hydro Inc. in July 2000 wholly-owned by the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake and operating under the Ontario Business Corporations Act.

Niagara-on-the-Lake Hydro Inc reached an all-time peak of over 45 MW during the summer of 2002 and safely distributes electrical power to close to 8000 customers.

Historical data from excerpts of Pumphouse Study, Ian Butler, August,1988.

Electricity is a part of our everyday lives and must be treated with respect. Everyone should know the 7 Steps to Electrical Safety. Learn them and pass them on. Remember, they don't call it power for nothing!

1. 10 Metres to Safety

Stay back at least 10 metres (33 feet) from any fallen power line or exposed underground cable.

2. Look up and live

Look up, check and keep equipment clear of overhead power lines.

3. Know your limits

When using equipment in the vicinity of power lines, always maintain the limits of approach: from 3-7 metres (10-20 feet) depending on the voltage.

4. Don't hang around operating equipment

Stay at least 10 metres (33 feet) from operating equipment, in case it contacts an energized line.

5. Shuffle or hop - Don't Step

If your vehicle makes contact with an energized line remain inside until help arrives. If you must get out due to fire, jump out with your feet together. Then shuffle away, keeping both feet close together. Never contact the ground and your vehicle at the same time.

6. Call before you dig

To avoid contacting underground power lines, before you dig, call One Call at (800) 400-2255

For futher details click here
7. Don't become a victim

Always call local emergency personnel when someone is injured in an electrical accident.