Richmond Hill
April 09, 2009 By: Adam Mc Lean www.yorkregion.com
Earth Hour brings 27 per cent drop in Richmond Hill power use
A single hour in the dark brought some shining results throughout the Town of Richmond Hill during this year's 60-minute Earth Hour event.
On Saturday night, between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m., reduced lighting within municipal buildings, businesses and households caused a 27 per cent or 43 megawatts drop in electricity consumption throughout Richmond Hill.
This was the town's second year being actively involved in Earth Hour and this year's results cast an impressive shadow over last year's results.
Earth Hour 2008 brought a small reduction of 3.58 per cent in town-wide electricity usage. Statistically, Earth Hour 2009 was nearly eight times more successful than last year and town politicians are saying these impressive results are a direct result of community awareness and involvement.
"We're thrilled with the amount of electricity Richmond Hill saved during Earth Hour. It's quite a jump from last year. It is such an amazing number we had to make sure we double checked," Mayor Dave Barrow stated.
"We put out a call to our community, including residents, organizations and businesses, and they responded by sending us this very important message. The majority of the 27 per cent is due to residents. Now it is up to us at the town to keep pace with the expectations of our residents," he added.
In support of Earth Hour 2009, the town focused its energy on a public awareness and participation campaign, which looks to have effectively grabbed the attention of the community.
Stories and ads appeared in The Liberal leading up to the event, plus the town created and distributed posters around the community, and used its website to raise awareness about climate change and the fight against global warming.
Community members were also invited to let everyone know how they were planning to spend their time with the lights out and share their Earth Hour ideas by filling out an online form.
The 27 per cent drop in electricity use is proof of a green awareness and the impressive response from residents will no doubt be making some other municipalities green with envy.
Richmond Hill can carry Earth Hour bragging rights among neighbouring municipalities for the next 12 months.One of nine municipalities served by electricity distributers PowerStream, Richmond Hill's statistics easily eclipsed those of neighbouring towns, including Aurora, Barrie, Markham and Vaughan.
During Earth Hour, PowerStream reported a 10 per cent energy reduction territory wide. Richmond Hill's reduction rate was more than double the next closest PowerStream-served municipality.
"I am very proud of all of our residents and we want the community to support us in our continued commitment to the environment by taking action every day, not just for one hour," Mayor Barrow said.
"I think residents view Earth Hour as a chance to get back to basics and go back to their roots. It can be a revelation for some to do without their computer, television and lighting for an hour or more and this impressive response has set the bar high in Richmond Hill.
"We invite residents to get involved in future clean-up and tree-planting events, practise water conservation and, of course, turn off the lights when they're not needed," Mayor Barrow added, stating he spent his Earth Hour at a social event at the Sheraton Hotel on Hwy. 7.
Mayor Barrow assured that emergency lighting was in use where possible at the event, "the lights were down except for the LED screen behind the Elvis impersonator," Mayor Barrow said laughing.
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