Louis Voisine, manager of GIS and distribution records, is responsible for the operation and maintenance of Hydro Ottawa's GIS and OMS, as well as all distribution records. In this role, Voisine updates asset data in the GIS, responds to system issues, coordinates software enhancements and manages a dedicated group of employees who produce drawings for new construction. He has more than 23 years of electricity industry experience in distribution system planning, design, construction and operation, as well as in regulatory affairs and customer service. Voisine is a professional engineer with a degree in power engineering from the University of New Brunswick. He is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario. louisvoisine@hydroottawa.com

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PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE AWARD

Hydro Ottawa Limited was recognized as one of the best-run utilities in the province of Ontario, winning the Electricity Distributors Association's (EDA) prestigious 2007 Local Distribution Company Performance Excellence Award, sponsored by Ontario Power Generation.

Hydro Ottawa received this honor based on a year of significant accomplishments, some of which are listed below. Created in 2006, the award is presented to a member of the EDA that has distinguished itself among its fellow members for performance excellence in five categories:

1. Occupational health and safety

   In 2007, Hydro Ottawa employees achieved a 25% reduction in lost-time injuries and a 55% reduction in total days lost due to injuries.

2. Operational excellence

   In 2007, Hydro Ottawa achieved its second-best system reliability results in the company's history, a record that compares favorably not just in Ontario, but also across the country. Hydro Ottawa ranked second nationally in its peer category in the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction Study.

   Hydro Ottawa has been a leader in the implementation of the province of Ontario's Smart Meter program from the beginning, and continued to solidify that position in 2007. Of the 175,000 smart meters installed by year-end, 145,000 were delivering data to Hydro Ottawa's customer information system for billing.

3. Financial operations

   Hydro Ottawa maintained its record as one of the lowest-cost distributors in Ontario on a per-customer basis, with some of the lowest rates in the province.

4. Conservation and demand management

   The year 2007 also saw Hydro Ottawa's own ground-breaking Fridge and Freezer Bounty program take on new proportions, as the program was adopted and rolled out province-wide by the Ontario Power Authority as the Great Refrigerator Roundup. Since the introduction of the original program, Hydro Ottawa customers have retired 8000 old fridges and freezers. In 2007, Hydro Ottawa was awarded the Ontario Clean Air Alliance's Peak Buster Award for a 7.2% (101.6-MW) year-over-year peak demand reduction, placing it second among large utilities and fourth province-wide.

5. Contribution to the community

   Through the United Way/Centraide Ottawa Winter Warmth Program, Hydro Ottawa provides financial assistance to low-income families living at or below the poverty line who are struggling to pay their electricity bill. In 2006/2007, a total of 85 households and 286 individuals were assisted through Hydro Ottawa's involvement. A total of 149 households and 467 individuals were assisted during the longer 2007/2008 winter season.

Hydro Ottawa's partnership with United Way has also led to the utility's involvement in the Ottawa School Breakfast Program. Hydro Ottawa's 2007 donation of $58,000 helped provide 8800 students in 132 Ottawa schools with a nutritious meal each morning.

Hydro Ottawa also plays an active role in educating children about electrical safety and energy conservation, through free presentations at elementary schools in its service territory. In 2007, 45 schools were visited and more than 19,000 students learned valuable lessons about using electricity safely and wisely.