Latest news with #AlectraUtilities
Ottawa Citizen
14-05-2025
- General
- Ottawa Citizen
Heads up! Alectra reminds residents to stay safe around powerlines
Article content MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Powerline Safety Week is here, and Alectra Utilities is urging the public to be extra cautious around powerlines, whether working on job sites or tackling spring projects at home. Article content Article content According to the Electrical Safety Authority, more than 40 per cent of Ontarians mistakenly believe that direct contact is required to get a shock or burn from a powerline. However, electricity can arc from the line to any object that comes within three metres, such as a ladder, branch or tool, and cause serious injury or death. Article content Article content 'Powerline Safety Week is an important time to remind everyone about the serious and frequently misunderstood risks that powerlines present,' said Patience Cathcart, Director of Data Science and Public Safety Officer, Electrical Safety Authority. 'Public safety is one of our highest priorities. By working together to raise awareness, we can help reduce the risk of accidents and protect lives.' Article content 'Ensuring the safety of Alectra employees, customers and the public remains our top priority,' said Chris Hudson, Senior Vice President, Network Operations at Alectra Utilities. 'Together, we can ensure an electrically safe and secure community for all.' Article content Every year, injuries and even fatalities occur when people inadvertently come into contact with overhead, often during routine activities like landscaping, digging, or operating equipment under overhead powerlines. Article content Here are six essential safety tips to always follow: Article content Look up and look out: Always maintain awareness of overhead powerlines when engaging in outdoor activities. Identify all powerlines, including those obscured by foliage, near residential and work areas. Stay back 3 meters from overhead powerlines: You do not have to touch a powerline to get a deadly shock. Electricity can jump or 'arc' to you or your tools if you get too close. Always keep a 3-metre gap between you, your tools and powerlines. Stay 10 metres from a downed powerline: There is no way of knowing if a powerline is live just by looking at it. Wires do not have to spark to indicate they are live. Always assume a downed powerline is energized and dangerous. Call 9-1-1 and the local utility immediately and ensure everyone stays at least 10 metres back—about the length of a school bus—from fallen powerlines. Call before you dig: Prioritize safety by contacting Ontario One Call at 1-800-400-2255 before initiating any excavation or construction project, ensuring the detection of underground utilities, including powerlines. The locate will only identify utility owned underground line. Customer owned underground lines will require a private locate. Be mindful of equipment: Avoid flying kites, drones, or other objects near powerlines, as even non-metallic items can conduct electricity, posing severe risks. Talk to your kids about powerline safety: Help children find safe places to play, away from utility poles and powerlines. Remind children never to climb trees near powerlines, since leaves and branches can hide the wires. Article content Serving more than one million homes and businesses in Ontario's Greater Golden Horseshoe area, Alectra Utilities is now the largest municipally-owned electric utility in Canada, based on the total number of customers served. We contribute to the economic growth and vibrancy of the 17 communities we serve by investing in essential energy infrastructure, delivering a safe and reliable supply of electricity, and providing innovative energy solutions. Our mission is to be an energy ally, helping our customers and the communities we serve to discover the possibilities of tomorrow's energy future. Article content
Hamilton Spectator
14-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Heads up! Alectra reminds residents to stay safe around powerlines
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Powerline Safety Week is here, and Alectra Utilities is urging the public to be extra cautious around powerlines, whether working on job sites or tackling spring projects at home. According to the Electrical Safety Authority, more than 40 per cent of Ontarians mistakenly believe that direct contact is required to get a shock or burn from a powerline. However, electricity can arc from the line to any object that comes within three metres, such as a ladder, branch or tool, and cause serious injury or death. 'Powerline Safety Week is an important time to remind everyone about the serious and frequently misunderstood risks that powerlines present,' said Patience Cathcart, Director of Data Science and Public Safety Officer, Electrical Safety Authority. 'Public safety is one of our highest priorities. By working together to raise awareness, we can help reduce the risk of accidents and protect lives.' 'Ensuring the safety of Alectra employees, customers and the public remains our top priority,' said Chris Hudson, Senior Vice President, Network Operations at Alectra Utilities. 'Together, we can ensure an electrically safe and secure community for all.' Every year, injuries and even fatalities occur when people inadvertently come into contact with overhead, often during routine activities like landscaping, digging, or operating equipment under overhead powerlines. Here are six essential safety tips to always follow: For more information about powerline safety, visit: Powerline Safety | Alectra Utilities . About Alectra Utilities Serving more than one million homes and businesses in Ontario's Greater Golden Horseshoe area, Alectra Utilities is now the largest municipally-owned electric utility in Canada, based on the total number of customers served. We contribute to the economic growth and vibrancy of the 17 communities we serve by investing in essential energy infrastructure, delivering a safe and reliable supply of electricity, and providing innovative energy solutions. Our mission is to be an energy ally, helping our customers and the communities we serve to discover the possibilities of tomorrow's energy future. X: Facebook: Instagram: LinkedIn: Bluesky: YouTube: Media Contact Ashley Trgachef, Media Spokesperson | Email: | Telephone: 416.402.5469 | 24/7 Media Line: 1-833-MEDIA-LN An image accompanying this announcement is available at
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Heads up! Alectra reminds residents to stay safe around powerlines
Powerline Safety MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Powerline Safety Week is here, and Alectra Utilities is urging the public to be extra cautious around powerlines, whether working on job sites or tackling spring projects at home. According to the Electrical Safety Authority, more than 40 per cent of Ontarians mistakenly believe that direct contact is required to get a shock or burn from a powerline. However, electricity can arc from the line to any object that comes within three metres, such as a ladder, branch or tool, and cause serious injury or death. 'Powerline Safety Week is an important time to remind everyone about the serious and frequently misunderstood risks that powerlines present,' said Patience Cathcart, Director of Data Science and Public Safety Officer, Electrical Safety Authority. 'Public safety is one of our highest priorities. By working together to raise awareness, we can help reduce the risk of accidents and protect lives.' 'Ensuring the safety of Alectra employees, customers and the public remains our top priority,' said Chris Hudson, Senior Vice President, Network Operations at Alectra Utilities. 'Together, we can ensure an electrically safe and secure community for all." Every year, injuries and even fatalities occur when people inadvertently come into contact with overhead, often during routine activities like landscaping, digging, or operating equipment under overhead powerlines. Here are six essential safety tips to always follow: Look up and look out: Always maintain awareness of overhead powerlines when engaging in outdoor activities. Identify all powerlines, including those obscured by foliage, near residential and work areas. Stay back 3 meters from overhead powerlines: You do not have to touch a powerline to get a deadly shock. Electricity can jump or 'arc' to you or your tools if you get too close. Always keep a 3-metre gap between you, your tools and powerlines. Stay 10 metres from a downed powerline: There is no way of knowing if a powerline is live just by looking at it. Wires do not have to spark to indicate they are live. Always assume a downed powerline is energized and dangerous. Call 9-1-1 and the local utility immediately and ensure everyone stays at least 10 metres back—about the length of a school bus—from fallen powerlines. Call before you dig: Prioritize safety by contacting Ontario One Call at 1-800-400-2255 before initiating any excavation or construction project, ensuring the detection of underground utilities, including powerlines. The locate will only identify utility owned underground line. Customer owned underground lines will require a private locate. Be mindful of equipment: Avoid flying kites, drones, or other objects near powerlines, as even non-metallic items can conduct electricity, posing severe risks. Talk to your kids about powerline safety: Help children find safe places to play, away from utility poles and powerlines. Remind children never to climb trees near powerlines, since leaves and branches can hide the wires. For more information about powerline safety, visit: Powerline Safety | Alectra Utilities. About Alectra Utilities Serving more than one million homes and businesses in Ontario's Greater Golden Horseshoe area, Alectra Utilities is now the largest municipally-owned electric utility in Canada, based on the total number of customers served. We contribute to the economic growth and vibrancy of the 17 communities we serve by investing in essential energy infrastructure, delivering a safe and reliable supply of electricity, and providing innovative energy solutions. Our mission is to be an energy ally, helping our customers and the communities we serve to discover the possibilities of tomorrow's energy future. X: Media Contact Ashley Trgachef, Media Spokesperson | Email: | Telephone: 416.402.5469 | 24/7 Media Line: 1-833-MEDIA-LN An image accompanying this announcement is available at
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alectra Utilities committed to seeking increased procurement of Canadian goods and materials for its electricity distribution operations
Alectra Utilities announcement on its commitment to seek increased Canadian procurement of goods and materials for its electricity distribution operations MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alectra Utilities (Alectra) announced today its commitment to prioritizing Canadian businesses, suppliers, and vendors through its procurement processes for equipment and services for its electricity grid. Alectra Utilities is the largest municipally owned electricity utility in Canada based on the number of customers served, totalling approximately 1.1 million homes and businesses and a population of approximately three million people. In 2024, Alectra Utilities invested more than $297 million in net distribution capital, including labour and materials, with approximately 86.2 per cent of these purchases directed to Canadian providers. Looking ahead, Alectra plans to more than double its capital spending by 2031. This will fund essential grid renewal and replacement of aging equipment, grid expansion to accommodate increases in electricity demand caused by organic growth, and modernization to expedite remote power restoration operations and communications to customers during outages. This increase in capital spending provides an opportunity to seek and prioritize Canadian vendors where possible and where the reliability and safety of the distribution system will be maintained. 'With the current increases to United States trade tariffs and the economic uncertainties that these changes are causing, it is more important than ever to strengthen our domestic supply chains where we can," said Brian Bentz, President and Chief Executive Officer, Alectra Inc. 'We are committed to cost-effective procurement that prioritizes Canadian suppliers, strengthens our economy, and supports the well-being of our communities. By sourcing Canadian whenever possible, Alectra Utilities is reinforcing its commitment to helping build a resilient supply chain while continuing to deliver safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to our customers.' '$11 trillion has been wiped from the stock markets since the U.S. President's inauguration–a key indicator that we need to continue to stand up against Trump's unjustified tariffs and bolster a Team Canada approach to strengthen our economy here at home,' said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. 'Ontario has what the world needs and we are leading the way, with full support of the energy sector including Alectra, stepping up with a Canada-First procurement policy. I have made clear to utilities across Ontario to buy Canadian and prioritize domestic supply chains, creating more Canadian jobs and helping us in the fight against unfair U.S. tariffs.' For more information about Alectra Utilities, visit About Alectra Utilities Serving more than one million homes and businesses and approximately three million people in Ontario's Greater Golden Horseshoe area, Alectra Utilities is the largest municipally-owned electric utility in Canada, based on the total number of customers served. We contribute to the economic growth and vibrancy of the 17 communities we serve by investing in essential energy infrastructure, delivering a safe and reliable supply of electricity, and providing innovative energy solutions. Our mission is to be an energy ally, helping our customers and the communities we serve to discover the possibilities of tomorrow's energy future. Twitter: Media Contact Ashley Trgachef, Media Spokesperson, Telephone: 416.402.5469 | 24/7 Media Line: 1-833-MEDIA-LN A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Important Advisory: Barrie ice storm power restoration update
BARRIE, Ontario, March 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alectra Utilities advises that due to severe damage to trees and electricity infrastructure, power restoration in the downtown core of Barrie will not be completed by Monday morning. Alectra crews will be working overnight and through the morning to restore power, however businesses and residents in the downtown area are advised that electricity service will not be available in all downtown core locations and should plan accordingly while emergency crews clear debris and repair powerlines in the area. About Alectra Utilities Serving more than one million homes and businesses and approximately three million people in Ontario's Greater Golden Horseshoe area, Alectra Utilities is the largest municipally-owned electric utility in Canada, based on the total number of customers served. We contribute to the economic growth and vibrancy of the 17 communities we serve by investing in essential energy infrastructure, delivering a safe and reliable supply of electricity, and providing innovative energy solutions. Our mission is to be an energy ally, helping our customers and the communities we serve to discover the possibilities of tomorrow's energy future. Twitter: Media Contact Ashley Trgachef, Media Spokesperson | Email: | Telephone: 416.402.5469 | 24/7 Media Line: 1-833-MEDIA-LN Sign in to access your portfolio
