A Smart Meter (BlackburnNews.com file photo by Melanie Irwin)A Smart Meter (BlackburnNews.com file photo by Melanie Irwin)
Sarnia

Monthly Hydro Bills Take Effect In 2017

Bluewater Power customers are being reminded of the move to a monthly billing cycle beginning in 2017.

The Ontario Energy Board mandated the change from bi-monthly billing in an announcement last April.

It's estimated it could cost the local utility an extra $200,000 a year for postage alone.

Bluewater Power CEO Janice McMichael-Dennis says it's a good time to sign up for e-billing.

"Producing that extra bill on paper, and the stamp alone, we will go from approximately 270,000 bills in a year to about 500,000," says McMichael-Dennis. "If we can encourage e-billing that's wonderful. It's also a great time to encourage the 'my account,' which is a Bluewater Power tool you can look on the next day and see your electricity consumption specific to hours for your household."

Bluewater Power also distributes water bills for Sarnia, Petrolia, and Watford and those will now be arriving monthly as well.

McMichael-Dennis is hopeful the change will help residents with their monthly budgets.

You can find more information and sign up at www.bluewaterpower.com.

Bluewater Power has 36,000 customers in Sarnia, Point Edward, Petrolia, Oil Springs, Alvinston and Watford.

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