On December 2, 2013, the Liberal government of Ontario issued an update on its Long-Term Energy Plan. It is a summary of consultations that took place over the summer and represents the government’s projections of energy pricing.

Utilities Kingston is providing the information below to help customers understand electricity pricing and programs that are available through the utility to reduce costs.

Electricity Pricing

Electricity pricing is made up by several components:

• The costs to generate electricity including green energy contracts
• The cost to transmit the electricity through high voltage lines
• Dept retirement charge, regulatory charges
• And finally, the cost to distribute electricity locally

Only the costs to distribute locally are controlled by Kingston Hydro and these represent about 22 per cent of the bill.

The employees of Utilities Kingston operate, manage and maintain Kingston Hydro infrastructure in conjunction with other utilities that include water, sewer, and natural gas. This unique multi-utility model allows Utilities Kingston to lower the cost of delivering services.

Kingston Hydro has an application before the Ontario Energy Board to decrease its portion of the rates by approximately $1.67 per month as of May 2014.

Get more information about electricity prices from a recent article.

Low Income Assistance

The Low Income Emergency Assistance Program (LEAP) was introduced in 2011 by the Ontario Energy Board. Through this program, Utilities Kingston customers, who are facing disconnection of gas or electricity, are eligible for up to $500 to assist with paying utility bills.

In 2012, Kingston Hydro provided $15,600 to 54 electric customers for an average assistance of $245.55, while the municipal gas utility provided $10,000 to 44 customers for an average assistance of $193.18.

Additionally, the Kingston Hydro saveONenergy Home Assistance Program offers free in-home electricity assessments and installation of free electricity saving measures. Last year, we helped over 350 customers achieve a 10 per cent average reduction in electricity use. Qualifying tenants and homeowners could receive conservation education, new fridges, light bulbs, draft proofing and home insulation. To learn more call 613-893-427, email homeassistance@kingstonhydro.com, or visit www.kingstonhydro.saveonenergy.ca/homeassistance

Conserving Electricity

The Utilities Kingston conservation team can help customers save water, energy and money.
Visit our web page on electricity conservation or speak with a conservation advisor directly by calling 613-546-0000 and saying ‘conservation’.

Consumer Information

To learn how Ontario's electricity system works, visit the Ministry of Energy’s new webpage emPOWERme.