You may be aware that Hydro One’s (H1) delivery rates for Seasonal Class (SC) customers, (most Ontario cottage owners) are currently under review by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB). Recently there has been some misinformation circulated, to the effect that if the SC was eliminated, then Hydro rates would double for 80,000 SC customers. We believe some clarification is in order.

H1 has 3 residential rate groups that are determined based on density zones i.e. Urban - UR, Rural –R1 and Remote- R2, & 1 special customer group called Seasonal Class (SC) which is not determined by a density zone but rather on criteria such as how many nights one sleeps in their cottage per year & how many houses they own etc. All SC customers are located within the 3 residential zones & therefore are situated in many cases next door to permanent residents who have significantly lower  delivery rates for the same amount of power. Most cottage owners fall into the SC category. Today, SC rates are up to twice the rates for permanent residents in R1, R2 & UR density zones & well above H1’s costs to service them.

The Balsam Lake Coalition (BLC) is an intervenor group at the OEB & has argued against this unfair rate structure for 9-10 years. In March 2015 the OEB agreed with BLC and ordered H1 to eliminate the SC & move the customers to their respective, residential density zones. H1 has used a variety of procedural arguments & tactics to delay implementation of OEB’s elimination order until the present day (over 5 years). The OEB has proposed to hear input, at a future hearing, from all interested parties for the final outcome and/or elimination of the SC. BLC will continue to advocate for fair & equitable rates for all SC customers.

Be informed- contact the OEB or BLC for further information.

OEB: tel.- 1-877-632-2727;  416-314-2455;   Email – publicinformation@oeb.ca

Read Hydro One's submission:

 Hydro One's October 15, 2020 Report

BLC: Email – balsamlakecoalition@gmail.com

Balsam Lake Coalition