FortisBC urges customers to switch off for Earth Hour 2009

Kelowna, BC – March 20, 2009: Want some bright ideas on how to enjoy the dark? Join
millions of people around the globe and turn out your lights in celebration of Earth Hour on
Saturday, March 28 at 8:30 p.m.

In 2007 the city of Sydney, Australia started the Earth Hour movement and in 2008 the
movement went world-wide to increase awareness about the need to conserve energy and
demonstrate how one small step taken by millions of people can make a world of difference.
Over 50 million people participated around the world last year, including 10 million
Canadians in more than 150 cities across the country.

"Earth Hour demonstrates that each individual action is important and adds up to make a big
difference in conserving energy,” said Michael Mulcahy, FortisBC Vice President of
Customer and Corporate Services. “We encourage our customers to participate.”

FortisBC is proud to be a part of this global awareness campaign and encourages residents
and businesses to turn out the lights – or to take it even further and unplug unnecessary
appliances TVs, computers and cell phone chargers – for one hour at 8:30 p.m. on March
28.

Instead enjoy the time with family or friends over a game or candle-lit dinner. Go for a walk
and enjoy the stars. Put a glow stick on your dogs leash and take him along. Play a night
game of shinny with a glow-in-the-dark puck. Or just enjoy some time of peace and quiet. Be
creative and have some fun.

The City of Castlegar also has put out a challenge to Trail and Nelson to see which area
achieves the most participation by its residents in switching off for one hour. Already
hundreds of cities in more than 80 countries have already pledged support for Earth Hour,
including such Canadian cities as Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax.

FortisBC will monitor the amount of energy used during Earth Hour and compare the results
to an average day for the same time period to calculate the savings. However, what's more
important than the actual energy saved for one hour by residents and businesses who turn
off their lights is the exercise of thinking about energy that's used regularly, but perhaps
unnecessarily, and starting to think about conservation every day.

To show support, residents and businesses can log their show of support for Earth Hour at
www.earthhourcanada.org.

FortisBC PowerSense is committed to helping customers conserve energy and get the most
out of their energy dollar by providing both financial incentives and advice on energy
efficient technologies and practices. Since it began in 1989, FortisBC PowerSense has
helped southern interior customers save over 329 million kWhs, enough energy to power
more than 25,000 homes each year.

What can you do?

Make a difference by conserving energy every day. When spreading the Earth Hour
message, don't forget to encourage your friends, family and colleagues to turn off
unnecessary lights and appliances every day of the year. Other energy-saving tips include:

    • Install energy efficient lighting such as compact fluorescent lights that use 75 p
      cent less electricity compared to regular incandescent bulbs.
    • If you are buying new appliances or electronics like a TV, be sure it’s ENERGY
      STAR®-rated
    • Unplug your second fridge and save up to $100 per year
    • Wash and rinse your clothes in cold water
    • Unplug chargers when not in use and don’t leave computers and other electro on standby for long periods
    • Use full loads when using your washing machine or dishwasher

      •  

    For more energy-saving tips, visit www.fortisbc.com or call FortisBC PowerSense at 1-866-
    4FORTIS (1-866-436-7847).

    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 over 157,000 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 kilometers 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:
    Jodie Foster Sexsmith
    Community Relations and Media Advisor
    FortisBC
    Tel: (250) 469-8007 or Cellular (250) 718-1718