Orangeville Hydro is sure its customers have heard, read articles or seen programs or movies that feature the consequences of climate change and probably wondered what they could do to play their part, or help to contribute to a solution.

It may be even more poignant now with the Climate Change Conference taking place in Bali, where Canada was named number 53 out of 56 countries for taking action against climate change.

In the past few months, Orangeville Hydro Services in collaboration with the community group Power Up Renewable Energy (PURE) have been investigating how they might effectively demystify the 'green' business world by assisting and supporting the consumer in achieving their 'green' aspirations, helping them become informed and linking them to the appropriate service or product provider by offering a 'green' "one-stop-shop".

Businesses offering energy audits, 'green' architectural services, 'green' construction, 'green' construction supplies, energy conservation, energy reduction upgrades, and renewable energy based installations, e.g. solar heating, solar electricity generation, and wind power systems, are not that well known and sometimes hard to locate.

The business model being investigated by Orangeville Hydro Services and PURE provides a readily accessible bridge between the consumer and the product and service provider community, perhaps analogous to a travel agency, bringing the 'demand side' and the 'supply side' together.

In November, the Orangeville Hydro Services/PURE team contacted over 150 businesses offering the services and products mentioned above.

The response has been most encouraging with better than 50% response rate and better than 96% wishing to pursue an affiliation.

The utility was delighted to note that during a recent public radio broadcast David Suzuki stated that a resource such as this is required to help the public at-large connect to those who can provide the services and products that will assist in combating the consequences of climate change.

Locally, Dr Ron Dembo, President and CEO of Zerofootprint (www.zerofootprint.net) and a resident of Mulmur, recently gave a presentation in Orangeville on climate change and its consequences.

He suggested that climate change should be viewed as World War 3. His firm has developed an 'eco-footprint calculator' that can assess the ecofootprint of an individual and compile the information for a location or an area, for example, Headwaters.

To access and use the calculator visit: www.zerofootprint. net/calculator/he adwaters

Orangeville Hydro, during the course of the next billing cycle, is conducting a survey of its customers to better understand the consumer interest in taking advantage of such a 'one stop shop' business, and if so, develop it in such a way that it meets the needs of the consumer.

Orangeville Hydro customers should look for the survey in their upcoming hydro bill and Orangeville Hydro Services will be most appreciative if customers would complete the survey and return it to the Orangeville Hydro offices at 400 C Line, Orangeville, L9W 2Z5.

Others outside of the Orangeville Hydro billing areas who would like to provide their input and complete the survey, or anyone who has questions regarding the survey can contact Amy Proctor-Long at 519 942 8000 ext 235.

It has always been the goal of Orangeville Hydro to provide safe, reliable, efficient delivery of electrical energy within the town of Orangeville while being accountable to our shareholders....the citizens of Orangeville.

Power up Renewable Energy is a non-profit cooperative with a mission to create a "community based energy strategy" in Dufferin County and beyond, established on the principles of conservation, sustainable energy generation and responsible energy use.