Our commitment to the Environment

Program Overview Objectives

... a greener horizon® is a culture being cultivated at Horizon Utilities Corporation. It is built around the premise of Horizon working towards an attainable and green future. The program provides environmental benefits, demonstrates strong stewardship, provides economic benefits, illustrates innovation and can be applied by other local distribution companies. The program began with a systematic internal assessment to identify the areas in which we could introduce the most meaningful impact, in the short and long term. We also wanted to share environmental opportunities with our customers through proactive Conservation and Demand Management (CDM) offerings. As a company we are striving to establish our environmental standards against international standards and be one of the most respected local distribution companies in the country.

Online customer service

Horizon is committed to harnessing technology to better serve our customers as well as benefit the environment. One way we do so is by encouraging our customers to move to paperless billings. In 2010, the number of customers who viewed their account information online grew by more than 25 per cent to more than 46,000, or 20 per cent of Horizon's residential customers. In addition, more than 9,000 customers receive a paperless statement, which translates into 55,000 fewer pieces of paper issued in a year, with an equal reduction in the number of envelopes, and a savings in postage of approximately $32,000. This growth can be attributed in part to the Horizon Time-Of-Use (TOU) Road Shows that inform and demonstrate to customers and the public how they can view their online consumption with our web presentment tool, thereby eliminating the need for a paper statement; the CDM event teams; and direct mail pieces that highlight for customers the 24/7 options that are available. The online customer can receive their bill, see their TOU consumption, visit Smart Meter Lane, see Horizon Utilities promotions, check conservation tips, and email directly to Horizon, all without using a single sheet of paper.

Hybrids & Fleet Management

Horizon Utilities continues its commitment to the environment and building a sustainable organization by focusing on vehicle and facilities equipment emission reduction efforts. By the end of 2010, 10 per cent of Horizon's fleet was comprised of hybrid vehicles - one of the largest fleets of hybrid vehicles of any LDC in Ontario. Hybrid electric vehicles combine a conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system to achieve better fuel economy and reducing emissions.

One of the 2010 additions was a tandem axle, single bucket hybrid electrical plug-in vehicle to support our St. Catharines service center. This is the first vehicle of its kind in Horizon's fleet, and one of the first of its kind in Ontario. This bucket truck can operate the bucket-boom, emergency warning lights, and cab heating and cooling systems for up to six hours at the job site on battery power alone. This system will eliminate the need for idling, reducing fuel consumption and emissions. In 2010, Horizon also took possession of its second conventional hybrid single bucket truck and procured two more Ford Escape hybrid trucks to complement its overall fleet.

Throughout 2011, Horizon will be monitoring the performance of this vehicle technology and continuing to assess other technologies as they become available to support its commitment in building a more sustainable fleet.