Climbing electricity rates continue to be a topic of discussion around council tables.
Saugeen Shores council heard from both sides, as the representatives from the Independent Electricity System Operator explained changes to the grid and the costs of keeping the province powered.
Vice President of Conservation and Corporate Relations Terry Young says 10 years ago, the province did not have enough electricity to meet peak demand but can now reliably ensure there's enough power even when hot and humid weather drives up demand.
He says rebuilding the grid and adding new generation has come with a price.
"We've put in tens of thousands of mega watts of new generation, we've introduced new conservation programs, all of those things are having their desired effect," says Young. "But you know, when we do that stuff, there are costs associated with it."
He says even though electricity prices are climbing, conservation will help you save money relative to what you would have owed without conservation efforts.
Young acknowledges there are people struggling to keep up with their hydro bills, and says there are programs like the Ontario Electricity Support Program to help with lower-income families.
United Way of Bruce Grey Executive Director Francesca Dobbyn says she's not buying what the IESO is selling.
She says people who come to the United Way for help with their bills are automatically enrolled in every possible subsidy program and it's barely making a dent in most bills.
Dobbyn says some people are conserving electricity to such extremes that it's impacting their mental health, and their hydro bills are still increasing.
Dobbyn says they will continue to seek meetings with provincial politicians and bureaucrats with the hope of improving subsidy programs for those in need, pointing out most people find OESP does not help lower hydro bills, it just mitigates the most recent increase.
She says the United Way will be active this fall in seeking donations for the winter heating season, but admits there's concern for their donation pool because even those who donate to the United Way are having trouble keeping up with their own bills.
"When the donor themselves is facing that hydro bill, it's hard for them to make a donation because they have to pay their hydro bill, as well," says Dobbyn.
