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Hydro One undertakes forestry tree-trimming and brush removal program in Little Current area to improve power reliability

June 27, 2006 — Hydro One is clearing brush and vegetation under its power lines and trimming trees in the Little Current area to improve reliability of its system. The project, involving 18 forestry staff and several bucket trucks, also includes brush removal in Sheguiandah and surrounding area.

Work began in early June and will continue throughout the summer.

"Trees and brush pose a significant threat to power lines so this program should significantly reduce unplanned power outages and improve supply reliability," explained Robert Ranger, Hydro One Forestry Trades Supervisor. "We remove only those branches and hazardous trees that pose a threat to our system, and every effort will be made to leave compatible low-growing vegetation."

Ranger said Hydro One is investing substantially in a much more robust Forestry program. "We're conducting extensive vegetation management programs along our lines throughout the province. Our goal is to get back to an eight year clearing cycle for all our lines, and customers should see a significant decline in the number and frequency of tree-related outages."

Over the past five years Hydro One has invested about $4.5 billion in capital projects and maintenance to sustain and upgrade its high-voltage transmission and low-voltage distribution systems throughout the province. It plans to invest an additional $5.5 billion in system maintenance and upgrades over the next five years.

Hydro One delivers electricity safely, reliably and responsibly to homes and businesses across the province of Ontario and owns and operates Ontario's 28,000 kilometre high-voltage transmission network that delivers electricity to large industrial customers and municipal utilities, and a 125,000 kilometre low-voltage distribution system that serves about 1.3 million end-use customers and smaller municipal utilities in the province. Hydro One is wholly owned by the Ontario Government.

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For more information and to make arrangements for photography, contact Hydro One Media Relations 24 hours a day at 1-877-506-7584 (toll-free in Ontario only) or 416-345-6868. Our Web site is www.HydroOne.com.