Critics say Hydro One is seeking permission to use prepaid meters, a move that will only hurt low-
Revenue customers.
In a lengthy proposal to the Ontario Energy Commission on rate increases, Hydro One included a pitch for an "installation prepayment form" that required the customer to pay first before obtaining any electricity, peter Tabuns, a New Democrat, saidToronto-Danforth).
Tabuns, an energy critic at his party, said: "Everywhere they use prepaid electricity meters, they hurt struggling families . " He asked the government to ban the use of prepaid electricity meters, like
Hydro One executives and Energy Minister Glenn tibeott insist that the meter is optional if approved.
Thibeault told reporters that the task of the energy committee is to "consider the best interests of the raters, so we leave the decision to apply for a rating to OEB.
He added: "No matter what the type of meter is, there will be no power outage in winter.
The proposal made by Hydro One to OEB states that "in the case of arrears, a way to allow customers to control power consumption and minimize the financial risks of the Hydro one network, is by using the prepaid meter.
Prepaid meters are an energy meter that requires users to pay for energy before use.
This is done through smart cards, tokens, or keys that can be "recharged" through a smartphone app or online at the corner store ".
"For customers with higher collection risks, the introduction of this type of meter will minimize financial risks.
Use a prepaid meter to pay the electricity bill in advance.
Power off once the prepaid amount runs out-
Until the customer can load the meter with more points.
Ferio Pugliese, executive vice president, Hydro One
The president of customer service and corporate affairs said, "there is absolutely no pressure on customers to do so," and that just gives them more options.
The meter, he said, is "an option that we propose in the rate filing as another potential option when the customer selects the meter.
Pugliese compares it to customers who choose to pay for the same bill, "in this case, they don't like the fluctuation of the bill, so they pay a fixed fee.
In this case, he said, it may appeal to those who are "likely to be in a different income cycle, who like to advance all expenses in advance or over a period of time ".
Thibeault says hunters with camps in the fall may like to see something like this --they can opt-
Electricity supply for two months.
However, he also said that the demand for the meter is still just an idea.
"At the end of the day, we have a long way to go before approval," Thibeault said . ".
"It's just an idea at 2,000-page document.
But Tabuns believes that electricity meters will circumvent the rule of preventing power outages.
Holiday in winter.
"Hydro One installation of advance water meters will bypass the disconnection rules in Ontario," Tabuns said . ".
"Hydro One does not have to disconnect anyone;
If the customer does not power the meter, the power supply will be cut off automatically.
Thibeault also noted that according to Hydro One's document, future rate hikes will not exceed "inflation costs for the next four years" and will meet the government's commitment to reduce the water and electricity bill by 25.
Toronto StarHydro One is seeking permission to use prepaid meters, a move that critics say will only hurt low-
Revenue customers.
In a lengthy proposal to the Ontario Energy Commission on rate increases, Hydro One included a pitch for an "installation prepayment form" that required the customer to pay first before obtaining any electricity, peter Tabuns, a New Democrat, saidToronto-Danforth).
Tabuns, an energy critic at his party, said: "Everywhere they use prepaid electricity meters, they hurt struggling families . " He asked the government to ban the use of prepaid electricity meters, like
Hydro One executives and Energy Minister Glenn tibeott insist that the meter is optional if approved.
Thibeault told reporters that the task of the energy committee is to "consider the best interests of the raters, so we leave the decision to apply for a rating to OEB.
He added: "No matter what the type of meter is, there will be no power outage in winter.
The proposal made by Hydro One to OEB states that "in the case of arrears, a way to allow customers to control power consumption and minimize the financial risks of the Hydro one network, is by using the prepaid meter.
Prepaid meters are an energy meter that requires users to pay for energy before use.
This is done through smart cards, tokens, or keys that can be "recharged" through a smartphone app or online at the corner store ".
"For customers with higher collection risks, the introduction of this type of meter will minimize financial risks.
Use a prepaid meter to pay the electricity bill in advance.
Power off once the prepaid amount runs out-
Until the customer can load the meter with more points.
Ferio Pugliese, executive vice president, Hydro One
The president of customer service and corporate affairs said, "there is absolutely no pressure on customers to do so," and that just gives them more options.
The meter, he said, is "an option that we propose in the rate filing as another potential option when the customer selects the meter.
Pugliese compares it to customers who choose to pay for the same bill, "in this case, they don't like the fluctuation of the bill, so they pay a fixed fee.
In this case, he said, it may appeal to those who are "likely to be in a different income cycle, who like to advance all expenses in advance or over a period of time ".
Thibeault says hunters with camps in the fall may like to see something like this --they can opt-
Electricity supply for two months.
However, he also said that the demand for the meter is still just an idea.
"At the end of the day, we have a long way to go before approval," Thibeault said . ".
"It's just an idea at 2,000-page document.
But Tabuns believes that electricity meters will circumvent the rule of preventing power outages.
Holiday in winter.
"Hydro One installation of advance water meters will bypass the disconnection rules in Ontario," Tabuns said . ".
"Hydro One does not have to disconnect anyone;
If the customer does not power the meter, the power supply will be cut off automatically.
Thibeault also noted that according to Hydro One's document, future rate hikes will not exceed "inflation costs for the next four years" and will meet the government's commitment to reduce the water and electricity bill by 25.
Toronto StarHydro One is seeking permission to use prepaid meters, a move that critics say will only hurt low-
Revenue customers.
In a lengthy proposal to the Ontario Energy Commission on rate increases, Hydro One included a pitch for an "installation prepayment form" that required the customer to pay first before obtaining any electricity, peter Tabuns, a New Democrat, saidToronto-Danforth).
Tabuns, an energy critic at his party, said: "Everywhere they use prepaid electricity meters, they hurt struggling families . " He asked the government to ban the use of prepaid electricity meters, like
Hydro One executives and Energy Minister Glenn tibeott insist that the meter is optional if approved.
Thibeault told reporters that the task of the energy committee is to "consider the best interests of the raters, so we leave the decision to apply for a rating to OEB.
He added: "No matter what the type of meter is, there will be no power outage in winter.
The proposal made by Hydro One to OEB states that "in the case of arrears, a way to allow customers to control power consumption and minimize the financial risks of the Hydro one network, is by using the prepaid meter.
Prepaid meters are an energy meter that requires users to pay for energy before use.
This is done through smart cards, tokens, or keys that can be "recharged" through a smartphone app or online at the corner store ".
"For customers with higher collection risks, the introduction of this type of meter will minimize financial risks.
Use a prepaid meter to pay the electricity bill in advance.
Power off once the prepaid amount runs out-
Until the customer can load the meter with more points.
Ferio Pugliese, executive vice president, Hydro One
The president of customer service and corporate affairs said, "there is absolutely no pressure on customers to do so," and that just gives them more options.
The meter, he said, is "an option that we propose in the rate filing as another potential option when the customer selects the meter.
Pugliese compares it to customers who choose to pay for the same bill, "in this case, they don't like the fluctuation of the bill, so they pay a fixed fee.
In this case, he said, it may appeal to those who are "likely to be in a different income cycle, who like to advance all expenses in advance or over a period of time ".
Thibeault says hunters with camps in the fall may like to see something like this --they can opt-
Electricity supply for two months.
However, he also said that the demand for the meter is still just an idea.
"At the end of the day, we have a long way to go before approval," Thibeault said . ".
"It's just an idea at 2,000-page document.
But Tabuns believes that electricity meters will circumvent the rule of preventing power outages.
Holiday in winter.
"Hydro One installation of advance water meters will bypass the disconnection rules in Ontario," Tabuns said . ".
"Hydro One does not have to disconnect anyone;
If the customer does not power the meter, the power supply will be cut off automatically.
Thibeault also noted that according to Hydro One's document, future rate hikes will not exceed "inflation costs for the next four years" and will meet the government's commitment to reduce the water and electricity bill by 25.