While I am impressed that there was a timely response, I don’t feel like my concerns were adequately addressed.
Thank you for taking the time to send your email regarding the cost of hydro. I value your input, and your concerns are important to me.
Over the past decade, Ontario electricity consumers have helped cover the costs associated with removing dirty coal-fired generation from our electricity system. While the move to cleaner energy has saved more than $4 billion a year in health and other costs associated with smog and pollution from coal, we recognize that the result has been increased costs.
My colleagues in the Ontario government and I have listened to and have heard your concerns. We understand that electricity costs have stretched family budgets.
That is why we introduced legislation that would save families, farms and small businesses eight per cent on their electricity bills. This results in an average savings of about $130 annually or $11 each month. Rural consumers would receive an additional benefit from decreased rural delivery charges. Combined with the eight per cent rebate, eligible rural customers would save $540 a year or $45 each month. And we are proposing to expand the Industrial Conservation Initiative, empowering businesses to shift their consumption away from peak periods and save money.
In addition, we announced on September 27 that our government will suspend large renewable energy procurement, which will save electricity consumers an average of approximately $2.45 per month on their electricity bills.
These measures build on our ongoing commitment to reduce energy bills while maintaining reliability for all consumers. And while we see these as important steps, we recognize there is more we need to look at. Ensuring a clean, reliable and affordable supply of electricity for Ontario families, farms and businesses remains a core responsibility for our government – and a key way to build Ontario up.
Thanks once again for raising this issue with me. Please accept my best wishes.
Kathleen Wynne
Premier of Ontario