PowerStream Recognized for 'Performance Excellence'

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 29, 2011) - PowerStream, the local distribution company (LDC) which provides service to customers residing or owning a business in several communities located immediately north of Toronto and in Central Ontario, was recognized by its industry peers Monday evening at the Annual General Meeting of the Electricity Distributors Association (EDA) held at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel.

The EDA presented PowerStream officials with its LDC Performance Excellence Award, an award sponsored by Ontario Power Generation, in recognition of the company's outstanding performance during 2010 in areas such as occupational health & safety, operations, finance, conservation & demand management (CDM) and contributions to the community.

The presentation of the award was made before an audience of representatives from Ontario's electricity distribution sector. Also present at the event was Ontario Minister of Energy, Brad Duguid.

"PowerStream's Board of Directors are extremely proud of our company's many accomplishments over the years but most importantly, we take a deep sense of pride in how we continue to provide customers with safe, reliable and efficient electricity distribution services," said Town of Markham Mayor and PowerStream Board Chair, Frank Scarpitti. "The EDA's presentation of this prestigious award to us is a testament to the tremendous work being done by the company's management and staff."

The LDC Performance Excellence Award, sponsored by Ontario Power Generation, is presented by the EDA annually to a utility, which during the previous calendar year, has demonstrated excellence in its:

• overall approach to health & safety programming in the work environment;
• attention to key operational indicators such as reliability of service, emergency response restoration and customer service;
• overall financial performance based on results achieved against the utility's associated financial plan;
• documented results of conservation and demand management programs;
• specific programs undertaken to enhance the community the utility serves and which involves a combination of employee volunteerism and philanthropic/sponsorship support of charitable and not-for-profit initiatives.

Highlights from PowerStream's operations in 2010 included the completion of an evaluation of its Health & Safety management system resulting in improved systems and higher safety awareness among employees, improved service reliability indicators, higher customer satisfaction ratings as compared to the Ontario average, financial results that achieved better than the Ontario Energy Board allowed rate of return, innovative marketing of CDM programs that achieved significant results and the execution of a comprehensive sponsorship and donations program within the communities its services. Other notable achievements by PowerStream in 2010 were:

• Recognized as 'Energy Company of the Year' by the Ontario Energy Association
• Named 'Business of the Year' by the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce
• Achieved NQI Progressive Excellence Program Level 1
• Realized merger savings resulting from an amalgamation with Barrie Hydro
• Completed construction and took occupancy of a new South Operations Centre facility
• Completed construction and energized Fabro Transformer Station
• Added 7,720 new customers to PowerStream's distribution grid

"It is indeed an honour to be recognized by our peers in electricity distribution," said Brian Bentz, President and CEO, PowerStream. "What we have accomplished as an organization can only be achieved to the extent we have a Board of Directors that believes not only in the company's future vision for energy delivery, but also in its people. Luckily for us, we have both."

About PowerStream Inc.

PowerStream is the second largest municipally-owned electricity distribution company in Ontario, providing service to more than 330,000 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.

About the Electricity Distributors Association

The Electricity Distributors Association (EDA) is the voice of Ontario's local electricity distributors, the publicly and privately owned companies that safely and reliably deliver electricity to over 4.7 million Ontario homes, businesses and public institutions, representing the distribution of electricity to a population of over 13 million Ontarians.