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Cornerstone Hydro Electric Concepts

CHEC and Utility Collaborative Services (UCS) Join Forces

June 6, 2018

CHEC expands its service offering with the addition of UCS’s billing services

June 6, 2018 Orangeville, ON – Cornerstone Hydro Electric Concepts (CHEC) is pleased to announce the new collaboration between Utility Collaborative Services (UCS) and the CHEC Association as of June 1, 2018 . UCS’s portfolio will now be part of CHEC’s already extensive service offering.

“We’re pleased to be able to combine efforts with UCS and welcome the opportunity to work together to enhance operational efficiencies to our members,” said CHEC President, John Sherin. “CHEC and UCS both share a passion for advancing utility efficiency for small to medium sized LDC’s. UCS adds to our base of services going forward and our expanded team is committed to delivering the services and support our members need.”

UCS has traditionally provided Ontario LDCs with dedicated CIS and billing support, as well as training of staff with respect to back end office systems. UCS has become the “go to” resource for resolving complex issues and effectively managing CIS upgrades. This added area of expertise will further expand the support already provided by CHEC in Finance & Regulatory, Conservation and Demand Management, Operations, and Communications.

“Being members of both these organizations has allowed us to share best practices and realize significant cost efficiencies across our organization,” said Ruth Tyrrell, CCO of Orangeville Hydro and a Director on the Board for UCS and CHEC.  “By bringing them under one roof we’ll be able to further reduce costs and leverage their shared expertise.”

Both organizations are based on a foundation of collaboration and information sharing that has allowed members to effectively adapt to the changing electrical distribution industry. The expanded core of support will allow them to continue to streamline operations and be the trusted energy partner for their customers.

“Our focus is to provide the best support we can to our members and to add value to their organizations,” said John Walsh, Chair of the CHEC Board of Directors. “As we move forward we expect to be able to leverage the obvious synergies and take advantage of the emerging opportunities in the electrical distribution industry.”

About CHEC

CHEC is a collaborative association for 17 small Local Distribution Companies in Ontario. By sharing experience, knowledge and resources CHEC helps its members remain as active members of their communities, deliver value to their shareholders, provide safe, efficient, and cost effective electricity distribution to their customers, and prepare for the energy future. The current members of CHEC are Centre Wellington Hydro Ltd., Collus PowerStream, Grimsby Power, InnPower Corp., Lakefront Utilities Inc., Lakeland Power Distribution Ltd., Midland Power Utility Corp., Niagara–on- the- Lake Hydro, Orangeville Hydro Ltd., Orillia Power Corp., Ottawa River Power Corporation, Renfrew Hydro Inc., Rideau St. Lawrence Distribution Inc., Tillsonburg Hydro, Wasaga Distribution Inc., Wellington North Power Inc., and West Coast Huron Energy Inc.