If you have a cottage or summer home in the province, your hydro rates could skyrocket if the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) follows through on getting rid of the seasonal rate class.
Hydro One says that would mean more than half of all seasonal customers would see an increase on their hydro bills and some could see their bills double over the next few years.
Imran Merali, Vice President of Customer Service at Hydro One, says the OEB asked the utility company to look into eliminating the seasonal rate back in 2015.
He says if the rate class were to be axed, customers would be “migrated to other classes, based on their density.”
“For about half of our seasonal customers, their rates would go up by approximately $1000 a year,” explained Merali.
Merali says Hydro One has presented an “alternative” to the OEB.
He says the Hydro One plan would keep the seasonal rate class intact, but fix or cap the distribution (or delivery) rates starting in 2021.”
“Ultimately, under the Hydro One proposal, half of our customers would see increases of $65 per year,” said Merali. “So rather than $1000 a year, it would be about $65.”
According to Merali, the OEB hasn’t responded to the alternative plan as of yet, but Hydro One is encouraging customers to get involved.
He says you’ll be able to voice your opinion to the OEB, once they kick off “a formal process in the coming months to evaluate the proposal.”
Click here to learn more about the Hydro One plan.
If they axe the seasonal rate ate they acing the rural delivery charge too..our seasonal home isnt even on water or down off main road and we get charged rural and seasonal unlike our neighbors who live next door and are yearly.its ridiculous…