April 7, 2010

PowerStream opens new operations centre to serve York Region
Consolidation of two separate work locations under a single roof expected to improve efficiencies

MARKHAM, ON ~ At an official opening event held today at PowerStream’s new South Operations Centre, company officials said they expect their new state-of-the-art and environmentally-friendly facility will result in improved efficiencies in field services that will further enhance the utility’s ability to provide its York Region customers with safe and reliable electricity.

The event, featuring Canadian hockey legend Paul Henderson as a keynote speaker, gave PowerStream the opportunity to showcase the 107,214 square foot building to more than 200 employees, invited guests and the media as another example of the utility’s ongoing commitment to both customer service excellence and environmental stewardship.

The facility has enabled PowerStream to streamline its field service operations through the consolidation of two separate work locations under a single roof. More than 150 employees, previously located at either the City of Vaughan’s Joint Operations Centre or the Cochrane Road site facility in Markham, were relocated to the South Operations Centre at the beginning of March.

Town of Markham Mayor, Frank Scarpitti, who also serves on PowerStream’s Board of Directors as Vice Chair, added that the company’s objectives in developing its plan for the South Operations Centre included more than just realizing operational efficiencies.

Since PowerStream is recognized as a corporate leader in environmental stewardship and the delivery of conservation programs within its service territory, the Board of Directors believes it is important to ensure that the design and construction of the South Operations Centre is consistent with this reputation,” Scarpitti said. “That’s why we have targeted this facility to be the company’s second LEED^® gold certified building.”

In September 2008, PowerStream’s head office in Vaughan was certified as a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold building by the Canada Green Building Council.

“This facility, adjacent to Highway 407, will ensure PowerStream customers in Markham and surrounding area continue to have high quality customer care and service.”

Some of the South Operations Centre’s LEED^® features include a white roof to help keep the building cooler during the summer and warmer during the winter months, HVAC systems free of harmful gases, drought-resistant plants and shrubbery and an array of solar panels that can generate up to 16.5 kW of electricity. The new facility also has a water reservoir that will collect and store run-off rain water, funneling it into the wash bay, toilets and urinals.

In addition to efficiencies that will be gained and the building’s environmental considerations, Brian Bentz, PowerStream’s President and CEO, commented on another benefit for the company in having its field staff in York Region working out of a single location.

“One of our five corporate values is teamwork and the belief that open communications and working together brings out the best in all of us,” Bentz said. “The consolidation of two previously separated employee groups at the South Operations Centre will result in a more cohesive field operations team.”

BACKGROUNDER: PowerStream LEEDing by example again with new Ops Centre

NEWS RELEASE: Paul Henderson speaks to PowerStream staff on the importance of teamwork

About LEED^®
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED^®) Green Building Rating System™ encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria.

LEED^® is a third-party certification program and an internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. It provides building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance.

About PowerStream Inc.
PowerStream is the second largest municipally-owned electricity distribution company in Ontario, providing service to more than 320,000 customers residing or owning a business in communities located immediately north of Toronto and in Central Ontario. The communities served include Alliston, Aurora, Barrie, Beeton, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Markham, Penetanguishene, Richmond Hill, Thornton, Tottenham and Vaughan. PowerStream is an incorporated entity, jointly owned by the City of Barrie, the City of Vaughan and the Town of Markham.

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Media Contact
Eric Fagen
Director, Corporate Communications
PowerStream Inc.
Office Phone: 905-532-4522
Media Line (24/7): 905-532-4400
Email: eric.fagen@powerstream.ca