Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is the policy with respect to the privacy of personal information?

 

The website www.takecharenl.ca collects, maintains and uses customer information in order to provide energy conservation product information and programs. Both Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro respect the privacy of their customers and recognize the need to protect their confidential information. Both Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro maintain the confidentiality of any information customers provide, and in handling such information, comply with, in the case of Newfoundland Power, the Protection of Personal Information and Electronic Documents Act; and, in the case of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, with the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Both Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro endeavor to keep customer information current and accurate, and to safeguard it from unauthorized access. Except as required by law, both Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro do not disclose customer information to third parties.

 

 

What is Personal Information?

 

Personal information refers to information (whether factual or subjective) about an identifiable individual, regardless of the format in which it is recorded. Personal information collected and recorded by www.takecharenl.ca will be used for the purpose of: contest participation and program participation.

 

For the purposes of this Policy, personal information does include information about residents of Newfoundland and Labrador that can lead to the identification of an individual. It does not include generic customer information where specific individuals cannot be identified.

 

 

Does www.takechargenl.ca ask for personal information through this Website?

 

Users of this website can submit contest entries and enroll in various energy conservation programs. Utilizing these features may require the user to complete a form. During this process the user may be required to provide contact information (such as name, address, telephone number, email address, etc.), and Newfoundland Power or Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro account information and demographic information.

 

 

How does www.takechargenl.ca use the personal information it collects?

 

Using www.takechargenl.ca Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro will collect, use and disclose personal information for the following purposes:
 

• establishing and maintaining a customer relationship for the delivery of energy conservation services and programs in accordance with the provisions of the Public Utilities Act, including keeping records of the customer relationship;
• researching and developing new products and/or programs to better serve customers; and,
• ensuring compliance with regulatory, legal or other applicable legislation and establishing and maintaining a supplier relationship to support the acquisition of materials and services necessary for the delivery of electrical services in accordance with the provisions of the Public Utilities Act.

 

 

Does Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro share personal information with outside parties? If so, with whom?

 

Under normal circumstances, Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro will not use personal information for any other purpose than that which was intended as outlined above, unless it obtains fresh consent from the customer.

 

Special circumstances where personal information may be collected, used or disclosed without the customer’s consent or knowledge would be in accordance with the provisions of the governing legislation such as: in compliance with a subpoena or other court order; or, otherwise in accordance with the law. Other examples include situations where it would be clearly in the interests of the customer, but where consent cannot be obtained in a timely manner, or in the case of an emergency where the life, health or security of the customer or supplier is threatened or otherwise at risk.

 

 

Will Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro use personal information for direct mailings?

 

Newfoundland Power and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro may send you information about energy conservation programs or offerings that may be of interest to you.

 

 

Does www.takechargenl.ca use “cookies”?

 

A “cookie” is a file of information that a website can send to your computer when you link to that site. Most browsers provide a simple procedure that will enable you to control whether you want to receive “cookies” by notifying you when a website is about to send a “cookie” file. “Cookies” are often used to recognize repeat users, track usage patterns and make other activities easier when you revisit a site. A “cookie” does not extract personal information about you.

 

In order to complete certain transactions, www.takechargenl.ca may need to confirm who you are. This is done by asking you to enter your login id and password before letting you access certain pages on the website.

 

To save you time, you have the option of saving this information on your own personal computer so you do not have to retype it again. When you indicate you wish to save this information a file called a “cookie” is sent to your computer. This is very common on commercial websites, however it is important you understand the security implications of using cookies. To prevent someone who has access to your computer from accessing your personal information on the www.takechargenl.ca website, it is recommended that you do not save your login information.

 

 

Does www.takechargenl.ca record the Internet Protocol addresses?

 

An Internet Protocol (IP) address uniquely identifies your computer when you are connected to the Internet. The website www.takechargenl.ca captures your IP address when you link to its website. IP addresses are used to analyze trends, administer the website, track user’s movement within the website and gather broad demographic information for combined use. Your IP address is not linked to personally identifiable information.