Hydro One presents counter-proposal on seasonal rate

By Chad Ingram


Hydro One has presented a counter-proposal to the Ontario Energy Board as it asks the province’s energy regulator to reconsider a plan to scrap a special rate class for seasonal residences.


As previously reported since 2015 the OEB has given direction that it intends to eliminate the rate class for cottage properties the plan to re-categorize those properties as either medium-density (R1) or low-density (R2) classes depending upon location. Bills in the R2 class are higher since they entail greater delivery fees and Hydro One has said that plan would negatively impact some 54 per cent of its seasona l customers with their bills increasing substantially.


“We submitted a proposal to the OEB about an alternate way to handle this” Imran Merali vice president of customer service for Hydro One told the Echo. According to Merali while the OEB plan would see bills for its seasonal rate customers increase about $1000 a year the proposal Hydro One has submitted to the OEB would see that increase reduced to approximately $65 per annum.


“We really want to get the message out to our customers that we’re advocating on their behalf” said Merali adding Hydro One is also hoping customers will get involved .


An updated section on the utility’s website allows customers to review Hydro One’s report to the OEB and have frequently-asked questions answered. It can be found at https://www.hydroone.com/about/regulatory/oeb-applications/seasonal-rates .


The number for Hydro One’s customer contact centre is 1-888-664-9376. The OEB will be conducting a formal review of the proposal. The OEB can be contacted by phone at 1-877-632-2727 or through its website at www.oeb.ca .