Changes are coming to your electricity, water and sewer bills as of January 1, 2016.

Changes to your electricity bill:

• For most residential customers, the Debt Retirement Charge (DRC) will no longer be charged on electricity consumed as of January 2016, saving the average customer $70 each year. The DRC line will still appear on residential bills but the amount shown will be $0 for most residential consumers. The DRC will still apply to commercial and industrial customers’ bills.
• The 5-year Ontario Clean Energy Benefit (OCEB) reduced customers’ electricity bills by up to 10% while the province transitioned to clean energy sources and new infrastructure. This program will conclude at the end of December, 2015, as planned.
• There is a new assistance program for low-income households, the Ontario Electricity Support Program. Households must apply to receive the OESP. Utilities Kingston is working with Kingston Community Health Centres to assist customers.
• On November 26, 2015, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) provided a Decision and Rate Order on an application by Kingston Hydro Corporation for permission to charge certain distribution rates to its customers from 2016 to 2020.
  For a typical residential customer consuming 800 kWh a month, this Decision results in a change to distribution charges of 7.91% in 2016, -15.20% in 2017, 0.56% in 2018, 0.44% in 2019 and 2.41% in 2020. The impact on the total bill for the 2016 test year is an increase of 3.17%.

Total impact on the electricity bill:

The total monthly bill impact for a typical residential customer (consuming 800 kWh per month) is an increase of $9.39 or 6.91 per cent. The increase includes the four changes described above, and compares January 1, 2016 rates to May 1, 2015 (which was the last time Kingston Hydro distribution rates were adjusted).

The comparison includes the effect of the OCEB program ending, which has for the past five years reduced residential and small business customer bills by up to 10 per cent.

View a detailed chart (PDF) comparing bill impact for a residential time-of-use customer from May 1, 2015 to January 1, 2016. If you require this information in an alternate format, please email info@utilitieskingston.com.

In the past, distribution rates were reviewed and adjusted for May 1 of each year. Beginning in 2016, Kingston Hydro’s distribution rate adjustments will align with the start of the calendar year – January 1. 

Further information:

Where to get more information on changes to your electricity bill:

• This resource from Ontario’s Ministry of Finance explains why Ontarians pay the debt retirement charge and when it ends.
• This resource from the Ministry of Energy provides an overview of the clean energy benefit, its purpose, who qualified, the amount of savings and information on the termination of the program.
• This resource from the Ontario Energy Board provides information on Ontario Electricity Support Program eligibility, the amount of assistance qualified customers could receive and details on the application process.
• The Decision and Rate Order on an application by Kingston Hydro Corporation for permission to charge certain distribution rates to its customers from 2016 to 2020. is available from the OEB website.

Changes to your water and wastewater bills:

On February 3, 2015, the council of the City of Kingston approved the four-year rate schedules for the water and wastewater utilities (read more). In 2016, the average monthly water/wastewater residential bill will increase by 2.6 per cent or $2.20.

Contact us:

For one-on-one assistance on saving water, energy and money, contact the Utilities Kingston conservation team. Just phone 613-546-0000 and say ‘Conservation’.

Reach our customer services centre Monday to Friday, from 8 AM to 5 PM at 613-546-0000.