Milverton Foodtown's expensive energy retrofit resulted in a 30% increase in its hydro bill.
Perth Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece says Foodtown's owner Mike Carter installed energy efficient lighting, new efficient freezers and new refrigerators.
He invested tens of thousands of dollars to become more efficient, and expected a lower hydro bill.
In an email signed by “Jessica” at Hydro One, the utility offered the following explanation for Carter’s higher hydro bills:
“On an annual basis, a review of consumption is conducted in order to ensure that accounts are billing with the correct service type.”
It went on to explain that the reduced hydro usaged prompted the utility to switch his business from its “General Service Demand” to “General Service Energy” billing category.
Pettapiece shares Carter’s frustration, saying his experience is another example of the Liberal government’s “totally inept” hydro policy.
Pettapiece stood in the Ontario Legislature on Thursday to ask, “Having done all the right things—having invested tens of thousands of dollars to become more efficient—does the premier agree that Mike should expect a lower hydro bill?”
With her energy minister not in the legislature while facing bribery allegations, Premier Kathleen Wynne referred the issue to Brad Duguid, the minister of economic development and growth. The question went unanswered.
“Instead of admitting the problem, the minister’s response was more Liberal spin,” Pettapiece said. “It was arrogant, out-of-touch, and completely dismissed my constituent’s concerns.”
Last Saturday, the premier admitted the Liberal government had “made a mistake” by allowing electricity rates to soar. She made the remarks at the Liberal Party’s annual meeting in Ottawa.
