Electricity rates going up again

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 15, 2016

SIMCOE- Electricity rates are on the rise again.

Effective May 1, on-peak rates – which run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. – will increase by 0.5¢ per kilowatt-hour to 18¢/kwh. Mid-peak and off-peak are also increasing, and will be 13.2¢/kwh and 7.7¢/kwh. The increase is expected to equate to $3 per month.

“Three dollars per month for electricity, $5 for natural gas – this government is nickel and diming the people of Ontario to death,” said Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett.

This increase brings the increase in the on-peak rate to close to 80 per cent since Smart Meters were introduced in 2010.

The Ontario Energy Board blamed the increase on the mild winter and less-than-expected energy consumption. “They blame low consumption from mild winter – those who heat with electricity are hit coming and going,” Barrett commented.

He was also concerned that with Ontario having the highest electricity prices in North America, it could scare away potential new business and industry, while making it difficult for existing businesses to compete on a global scale.

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For more information contact MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org