Provincial program offers break to hydro users
As the mercury drops, a provincewide program remains in place to help pay hydro bills.
The Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) is offered by electric utilities and regulated by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB). It targets low-income electricity consumers in Ontario who are experiencing difficulties keeping their hydro bills paid up.Offered on a year-round basis or until the available funds are exhausted, LEAP is intended to supplement other existing financial support programs.
"The funding being provided though LEAP will help individuals and families who require assistance to keep their account current with us," said Power-Stream chairman Frank Scarpitti, who's also Markham's mayor. "LEAP has enabled us to broaden our reach to those in need when compared to other support programs that were previously in place."
LEAP was launched across the province last year.
PowerStream's Eric Fagen says the initial amount of 2011 funding disbursed to PowerStream customers in Barrie and Simcoe County, through the United Way of Greater Simcoe County, was $40,932.
It provided assistance to 95 households.
But as a result of the late-payment penalty (LPP) class-action settlement reached between all Ontario utilities and the suit plaintiffs early this year, an additional $27,500 in funding was provided to the United Way of Greater Simcoe County in December.
"A report on the disbursement of these funds is not available at this time, but based on the current LEAP criteria, maximum of $500-$600 per eligible customer, it is estimated that approximately another 55 households will receive assistance through this additional funding," Fagen said.
For LEAP in 2012, Power-Stream has issued $41,142 to the local United Way, which can also apply to the United Way of Toronto for an additional $27,500 in 2012 from the LPP funds by applying to Toronto's United Way, which is administering the money and releasing it during a five-year period.
Offering LEAP through social service agencies provides those in need with an array of other community services that are also available, such as employment and credit counselling, food and clothing banks.
To ensure LEAP funds support individuals in need, applications are assessed by the designated intake agencies based on criteria established by the OEB.
Customers must directly contact the designated agencies to apply for LEAP funding. Power-Stream customers living in Barrie and Simcoe County should contact 705- 726-2301, ext. 30.
Each agency will review applications on a case-by-case basis to determine customers' eligibility.
Working with the Ontario Power Authority, PowerStream continues to offer saveONenergy' conservation programs to help all its customers better manage their electricity costs.
Information on these programs are available through its website at www.power-stream.ca.
PowerStream bills could be heading down in the new year.
PowerStream has a distribution rate application currently before the OEB that, if approved, Fagen said will see a slight decrease in rates for its Barrie and Simcoe county customers effective May 1, 2012.
A residential customer using 800 kilowatt hours per month will see a $0.87 (2.4%) decrease in the delivery line and a decrease of $0.89 (0.8%) on the total monthly bill.
A general service customer using 2,000 kWh per month will see a $0.11 (0.2%) decrease in the delivery line and a decrease of $0.12 (0.04%) on the total monthly bill.
PowerStream is the second-largest municipally owned electricity distribution company in Ontario, providing service to more than 335,000 customers residing or owning a business in communities located immediately north of Toronto and in central Ontario.
Communities served include Alliston, Aurora, Barrie, Beeton, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Markham, Penetanguishene, Richmond Hill, Thornton, Tottenham and Vaughan.
PowerStream is jointly owned by Barrie, Vaughan and Markham.
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