FortisBC and Shaw Cable Provide Live Osprey Nest VideoKelowna, BC – June 5, 2009 - FortisBC and Shaw Communications have partnered to provide a close-up look at Ospreys in a nest relocated as part of FortisBC’s Osprey nest management program. “Our customers have shown considerable interest in our Osprey nest management program which relocates threatened nests from atop power poles to safer sites. Since Ospreys return to the same nest each year, we worked with Shaw Communications and a registered professional biologist earlier this spring to install a camera above an existing nest platform before the birds returned for the nesting season,” said Michael Mulcahy, FortisBC’s Vice President of Customer and Corporate Services. “The camera is now online and provides live video to the FortisBC website allowing a unique view of the Osprey’s nesting activities. The nest is home to a pair of adult Ospreys and 3 eggs right now.” The Osprey pair returned to their nest on Benvoulin Road in Kelowna in early May 2009. Their usual routine is to build up their nest adding new materials, lay their eggs, and then hatch and raise new chicks each year. FortisBC relocated this nest from a nearby utility pole in 2007 to protect the Osprey from risk of electrocution. The Osprey pair has continued to return to this nest each spring. Osprey will typically nest between May and September and migrate south for the winter. The Osprey nest management program is part of FortisBC’s commitment to environmentally-responsible business practices. The Company protects Osprey by actively discouraging nest building on energized power poles and providing alternative nesting platforms for the birds. Under the supervision of a registered professional biologist, and following the Ministry of Environment’s permit conditions, Osprey nests are removed from energized poles and relocated to alternative nesting platforms on new poles erected nearby. FortisBC’s success with the program has seen more than 40 nest poles installed throughout the southern interior of BC. The program protects birds from electrocution and improves electrical safety and reliability. Birds nesting on energized poles can damage the electrical equipment, causing power outages or fire when nest debris falls on power lines. For more information or to watch the live video of the Osprey nest, visit the FortisBC website at www.fortisbc.com. The video will also be available on Shaw digital cable channel 166 throughout the Okanagan. About FortisBC Inc. FortisBC Inc. is an integrated regulated electric utility based in Kelowna, British Columbia. Focused on the safe delivery of reliable and cost-effective electricity, FortisBC serves approximately 158,000 customers directly and indirectly through wholesale utilities in the southern interior of B.C. FortisBC owns and operates four regulated hydroelectric generating plants and approximately 7,000 kilometres of transmission and distribution power lines. FortisBC employs over 500 people in British Columbia and is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Fortis Inc., the largest investor-owned distribution utility in Canada. Fortis Inc. shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade under the symbol FTS. Additional information can be accessed at www.fortisinc.com or www.sedar.com . For further information contact: |
 
If you have a larger house and aren't using one or more rooms, be sure to lower the heat to those rooms by closing the vents or turning down the heaters. Check your basement and attic to ensure you're not heating areas that aren't occupied.  |