NEWS RELEASE
PUC INC.
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As announced in early January, PUC Distribution is in the process of filing its Cost of Service application with the Ontario Energy Board (OEB). The Cost of Service application occurs every five years and determines what each electric utility can charge for its distribution rate. PUC officially filed its application with the OEB on March 29, 2018.
In an effort to keep customers informed and involved in the progress of its Cost of Service application, PUC would like to invite customers to an upcoming Community Meeting hosted by the OEB. The Community Meeting is scheduled for June 19, 2018, at the Royal Canadian Legion. The meeting will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
During the meeting, the OEB will deliver a presentation outlining the rate-setting process, and the role they play in it. After which, PUC will provide customers with a presentation outlining its Cost of Service application and its impact on customers.
The evening will conclude with a Question and Answer period, where customers will have the opportunity to ask both OEB and PUC representatives, questions on the process and the proposed rate increase.
How This Affects You
In this application, PUC is applying to the OEB for approval to increase its distribution rate by $6.98 per month resulting in a net increase of $1.94 per month for the average provincial customer consuming 750 kWh per month.
The difference between the OEB advertised distribution rate increase of $6.98 and the $1.94 total bill increase is due to a combination of regulatory changes, and a number of benefits specific to Sault Ste. Marie.
For an average PUC customer of 910 kWh, the distribution rate change will result in a $0.62 per month increase. “The reason our customers won’t see the full amount is primarily due to the number of solar farms connected to our system, resulting in a credit to a customers’ account which reduces the overall bill impact. In fact, one-third of PUC Residential customers will actually see a decrease in their monthly bill,” says, Andrew Belsito, PUC Rates and Regulatory Affairs Officer.
“As you can see in the chart, the average PUC residential customer using 910 kWhs will see a $0.62 increase if the application is approved,” says, Belsito. “If customers would like to know how this proposed increase could impact their bill, they can call Customer Care at 705-759-6522 and our staff can give them their total projected bill impact, with the credits applied.”
“We completely understand the concerns customers have over the price of electricity, and we take them seriously. This is why we work hard to control our portion of the bill and keep our costs as low as possible,” says Giordan Zin, PUC Supervisor of Community Engagement. “However it’s critical that we ensure responsible investments are made to maintain and upgrade our community’s electrical distribution assets.”
|
Residential Customer (monthly usage) |
Total Bill (Electric) |
Distribution Increase |
Total Bill Increase /Decrease |
Total Bill Impact % |
|
750 kWhs |
$106.27 |
$6.98 |
$1.94 |
1.86% |
|
910 kWhs* |
$123.20 |
$6.77 |
$0.62 |
0.51% |
|
985 kWhs |
$131.14 |
$6.67 |
$0.00 |
0.00% |
|
1,500 kWhs |
$185.65 |
$6.00 |
-$4.24 |
-2.23% |
* PUC average monthly consumption for a residential customer (2 year running average)
“Customers looking for more information on the PUC’s Cost of Service Application process, and the proposed rate increase, are encouraged to come to the OEB’s Community Meeting scheduled for June 19, at the Royal Canadian Legion,” says Rob Brewer, PUC President and CEO. “We want to help our customers stay informed, and we feel the best way to do that is with an open dialogue about the state of our utility and our plans for the future.”
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