"Go Green with PowerStream" is not just a call to action for the second largest municipally-owned electricity distribution company in Ontario. It is a statement of the utility's commitment to environmental leadership that is continuously being demonstrated to the more than 320,000 customers the company serves in communities immediately north of Toronto and in Central Ontario.
After delivering a comprehensive suite of conservation programs to customers residing or doing business in its service territory over the past few years, PowerStream’s commitment to the environment has expanded to include several sustainable initiatives and is now an integral part of the company’s business practices. The utility’s stated Vision "is to be a socially responsible company, committed to the environment and sustainable growth, leading the way into the future with boldness, innovation and best in class performance."
PowerStream's initiatives and achievements in sustainability include:
- Construction of a LEED gold certified head office
- Implementation of an employee vanpool program
- “Smart Commute Employer of the Year” award winner for North Toronto, Vaughan
- Ontario Clean Air Alliance's "PeakBuster Utility Challenge" award winner
- Sponsorship of conservation and sustainability business awards for five Chambers of Commerce – Aurora, Barrie, Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan
PowerStream's Leaders Program application, at this time, covers the following three facilities in York Region:
- Head Office (161 Cityview Boulevard, Vaughan)
- Joint Operations Centre (2800 Rutherford Road, Vaughan)
- Cochrane Operations Centre (550 Cochrane Drive, Markham)
As of January 1, 2009, PowerStream’s electricity distribution system consisted of the following components:
- Overhead circuit wires – 2,595 km
- Underground cable – 5,061 km
- Transformer stations – 10
- Municipal substations – 55
- Transformers (PCB and Non-PCB) – 41,306
- Switchgear – 1,547
- Poles and pole structures - 43,849
Jointly owned by the City of Vaughan, the Town of Markham and the City of Barrie, PowerStream also provides service to customers in the communities of Alliston, Aurora, Beeton, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Penetanguishene, Richmond Hill, Thornton and Tottenham.
