To mitigate the dangers associated with SF6, efforts are underway to minimize its usage, improve containment and leak prevention measures, promote recycling and proper disposal, and develop alternative insulation technologies with lower environmental impacts. Governments, industries, and research organizations are actively working towards reducing SF6 emissions and transitioning to more sustainable solutions to address its environmental and health concerns.

If you are like many companies and are forced to research alternatives to your wooden distribution utility poles due to the lack of availability, or if you are looking for a sustainable, more environmentally friendly, lower lifecycle cost alternative, then we can highly recommend Valmont®’s steel poles - they don't rot, they don't get infested with bugs, and they don't require constant maintenance.

Pentachlorophenol, PCP - better known in the trade as Penta has been used extensively in the past for preserving utility poles, however, its use is on a severe decline due to its high toxicity and slow biodegradation. Penta is a possible carcinogen and is in fact banned in most countries. On October 4th, 2022 Health Canada published a ‘Re-evaluation Note’ as an update to inform the public of the cancellation of all products containing pentachlorophenol.

The shortage of wooden utility poles has become a growing concern in recent years. With the increased demand for sustainable building materials and the impact of climate change on forest ecosystems, the supply of wooden utility poles has become limited. This shortage has caused delays in infrastructure projects, increased costs, and prompted a search for alternative materials. Many companies are now exploring the use of steel utility poles as a sustainable and durable solution. Valmont’s steel poles don't rot, don't get infested with bugs, and they don't require constant maintenance.

Energy efficiency is a central pillar of Ontario's Long Term Energy Plan (LTEP). Additionally, utilities are provided with conservation incentives and targets as part of Ontario's 2015-2020 Conservation First Framework (CFF).  Under the update to the LTEP released in the fall of 2017, utilities can now count savings generated from In Front of the Meter Conservation (IFMC) towards these targets.

"Ontario’s 2017 Long-Term Energy Plan is principally focused on the consumer while ensuring a reliable and innovative energy system. Delivering Fairness and Choice makes an important commitment: we will strive to make energy more affordable, and give customers more choices in their energy use, ensuring that Ontarians and their families continue to be at the center of everything we do."

Glenn Thibeault
Minister of Energy