Hydro Rates

Effective November 1, 2010 Hydro rates for those not on Smart Meters will be as follows; .064 cents per kwh for the first 1000 kwh and .074 cents per kwh for all kwhs over 1000 kwhs. Please!!!! make a note of the so called charitable cutback by Hydro as follows; .064 cents per kwh down from. .o65 cents per kwh for the first 1000 kwh as a substitute for the first 800 kwhs used per month and .074 cents per kwh down from .075 cents per kwh for all kwhs over 1000 kwhs used per month. According to the hydro residential customers using 800 kwhs per month will see a decrease amount of $ 2.80 per month on one's hydro bill. I happen to disagree with this decrease amount of $2.80 by showing as an example my most recent hydro bill as follows; My bill before the November 1, 2010 was 315 kwhs @.065 cents per kwh =$20.40 and the HST on that same bill before the decrease was $ 6.52. I took this same bill and substituted the new November 1, 2010 rates as follows; 315 kwhs @.064 cents per kwh = $20.16 and the HST would be $6.48. The total bill before the new rate was $56.71 where as the total bill using the new rate would be $56.33. The total difference in my case would be $.38 cents. Now I checked the delivery charges etc with rates supplied to me by the hydro and I don't believe there would be any changes in my final saving of $.38 cents.

Since the Hydro was so charitable with their decreases lets look at those rates on smart meters for peak periods in the upcoming winter from November 1, 2010 to April 30, 2011.

The peak period demands are more often than not 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. which as all know are when we have need of heat if you have electric heating. This is where we get hit between the eyes because the Hydro charges 9.9 cent per kwh used, lowered the rate for off-peak to 5.1 cents per kwh used from 5.3 cents per kwh used, and changed the rate for mid peak from .8 cents per kwh used to 8.1 cents per kwh used. The Hydro did nothing to the peak period rates and left it at 9.9 cents per kwh used in the time periods when one requires heat to keep warm if you have electric heating. I am forewarning all folks with electric heat if you want to be warm this winter be set to pay the price if one has a smart meter.

The Liberal party must get rid of the HST on electricity and be awake of the fact electricity is a prerequisite of life and not a luxury especially for all seniors who are on fixed incomes.