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Friday, 10 January 2014 at 14:31

Woodstock takes top marks again for energy reduction in the province

When it comes to reducing energy consumption, Woodstock is by far tops in the province.

The city is being recognized by the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, who credits Woodstock for shattering targets set for energy reduction.

The targets are set by the Ontario Energy Board, and Woodstock beat the mark at a rate of 152% over the last 2-years.

Our closest competition, Chapleau Public Utilities, hit 109%, with other more recognizable municipalities like Guelph, Stratford and Cambridge at just over 100%.

By contrast, Hydro One had only reached 45% of its target by the end of 2012. 

Woodstock Hydro Operations Manager Jay Heaman says it's a proud achievement that's shared across the city.  "We have quite a trend going in the County with Southwest Oxford winning a provincial award, we see the County and city doing a lot of retrofit activity and the businesses here really seem to be stepping up to the plate.  So, the credit really goes to the people in the community."

Heaman believes there's a "culture of conservation" that has been developed here over the years.  "I think we've been doing it here for 20-years.  It started here in 1990 with the pre-pay system and those folks at that time really learned about conservation and being aware of what you consume."

Unfortunately, the province forced Smart Meters onto all power utilities which ended the popular pay-as-you-go hydro system around 2007.

But you haven't heard the last of Woodstock being a front runner in conservation.  The OEB's energy reduction targets are for 2011-2014.

Heaman adds Woodstock Hydro's working on a "micro-grid" project in the White's Lane Alley that will feature a renewable energy with an energy storage unit, alongside their electric car charging stations.

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