The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) is holding a community meeting in Fergus to give consumers the opportunity to participate in the OEB’s review of Centre Wellington Hydro’s recent application to increase its electricity distribution rates.
The utility has applied to the OEB to increase its distribution rates by approximately $2.55 per month for a typical residential customer.
The meeting is Sept. 21, at the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex in Fergus. Doors open at 6pm and presentations will begin at 6:30pm.
The meeting is part of the OEB’s commitment to engage, empower and protect consumers. Community meetings offer the opportunity for consumers to learn more about why their utility is asking for a change in rates to cover the costs of serving customers.
Consumers can also find out more about how they can have a say in the review process, before, during and after the meeting.
OEB Registrar Kristi Sebalj, states that "all Ontario utilities, including Centre Wellington Hydro, must apply to the OEB if they want to change their distribution rates. These are the rates that utilities charge for delivering electricity to homes and businesses. These are different from the electricity prices that cover the cost of the electricity that you use, which appears on the “electricity” line of your bill."
“The OEB helps control costs for all consumers,” says Sebalj, “by reviewing and testing the requested rate change through an open, robust and inclusive rate review process. We work hard to hold utilities accountable for effectiveness and efficiency in their performance, keeping rates as low as possible while making sure utilities have what they need to keep the lights on.”
Consumers are invited to make brief presentations and participate in the question-and-answer period. Consumers wishing to make a presentation are invited to email registrar@oeb.ca or call 1-877-632-2727 (toll-free). The meeting is scheduled to end at 8:30pm.
“We encourage all Centre Wellington Hydro customers to come to the meeting and learn more about the application,” says Sebalj. “The OEB will review the application to make sure Centre Wellington Hydro’s costs are justified and appropriate."
The OEB has just begun reviewing this rate application. The review will take about six to nine months and provides opportunities for consumers, stakeholders and other interested parties to participate.
For more information, consumers can call 1-855-831-8151 (toll-free) or visit the OEB’s website at www.oeb.ca, where they can also review the Centre Wellington Hydro Rate application before the meeting.
