News

New customer service rules for low-income electricity customers TORONTO, March 30 /CNW/ - The Ontario Energy Board has announced new customer service rules for eligible low-income residential electricity customers that will take effect October 1, 2011.

Some of the new rules include:

• Allowing eligible low-income customers to ask for security deposits to be waived or returned;
• Allowing eligible low-income customers to request an equalized billing amount without enrolling in an automatic withdrawal payment plan;
• Providing enhanced arrears repayment agreements with more flexible terms

Eligible low-income customers are qualified, based on their income level, by a social service or government agency that partners with the electricity utility to assess eligibility.

Other rules applicable to all residential customers are also being announced. Rules related to load control devices will take effect July 1, 2011 and additional equal billing or payment options will take effect October 1, 2011.

These changes are part of a broader set of code amendments to enhance customer service rules for all residential customers. They are also part of the Board's Low-Income Energy Assistance Program.

For more information please refer to the low-income customer service rules backgrounder at http://www.ontarioenergyboard.ca/OEB/_Documents/Press+Releases/bckgrndr_lowincome.pdf.

The Ontario Energy Board regulates the province's electricity and natural gas sectors in the public interest. It envisions a viable and efficient energy sector with informed consumers and works toward this vision through regulation that is effective, fair and transparent.

For more information on the Board, please visit our web site at www,ontarioenergyboard.ca or contact the Consumer Relations Centre at 416-314-2455 or toll-free at 1-877- 632-2727.