ONTARIO -- The Ontario Ministry of Energy will be cutting electricity rates as Ontarians spend more time at home as a result of current public health measures.
The Ontario government will be providing 21 days of electricity-rate relief, which is consistent with what they believe is the length of time the province will be in modified Step Two public health measures. As of 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 18 electricity prices are lowered to the off-peak rate of 8.2 cents per kilowatt-hour-which represents less than half the on-peak rate-24 hours per day.
“Effective today, families and small businesses will benefit from 21 days of electricity rate relief as our government implements the off-peak rate,” said Todd Smith, Minister of Energy. “The off-peak rate, which is less than half the on-peak rate, will provide immediate savings as Ontarians spend more time at home and work together to slow the spread of the Omicron variant.”
Ontarians apparently will not have to do anything to benefit from the rate cut. Rather, it will automatically be applied to both the “Time-of-Use ad Tiered rate plans on their bill”, who pay regulated rated set by the Ontario Energy Board.
This off-peak rate will enhance existing government programs including the Ontario Electricity Rebate, which “ provides a 17 per cent rebate on the subtotal of the electricity bill of eligible customers including households, small businesses and farms.”
In today’s announcement, Minister Smith thanks local Distribution Companies, and the Ontario Energy Board who have worked quickly to ensure this off-peak rate is applied automatically to Ontarian’s bills.