The Ontario Energy Board has not only extended the ban on disconnections for non-payment during the COVID-19 pandemic but also widened the scope of the ban itself.
On March 19, the OEB extended the winter ban on electricity disconnections to July 31. Amidst all the other news, this fact might have been missed.
The OEB also announced the ban on disconnections would also be applied to low-volume, small business customers to help them cope with the loss of business during the COVID-19 situation.
As of March 24, households, farms and small businesses who pay time-of-use electricity rates have been charged off-peak rates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
As per direction from the province, Greater Sudbury Hydro automatically applies the lowest off-peak rate of 10.1 cents per kilowatt/hour (kWh) to all consumers in the Regulated Price Plan (RPP) for electricity used from March 24 onward.
The estimated impact on the average monthly residential bill will be approximately $16/month, or $24 over the 45-day period. For small business customers with monthly consumption of 10,000 kWh, the reduction would be about $308/month or $462 over the 45-day period.
Greater Sudbury Hydro will continue to work with customers who are having financial trouble.
If anyone is having trouble paying their bill, they should be proactive and start the conversation. Whether a residential or commercial customer, GSH wants to help customers get through this.
Email [email protected] or contact via forms online at gsuinc.ca or sudburyhydro.com. Phone: 705-675-7536 or 705-753-2341 (weekdays 8:30 a.m. - 4:25 p.m.)
