Hydro's odious 'debt retirement fund' ("rip off") to end in 2016...

After it's collected a few extra billion from already burdened consumers.

But there's a catch.

"Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli announced Wednesday that his government will retire the Debt Repayment Charge (DRC) on hydro bills starting on Jan. 1 2016, an annual savings of just under $70," according to ANTONELLA ARTUSO, QMI AGENCY, for Sun news. [See the full story at: http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/politics/archives/2014/04/20140423-131935.html. 

But at the same time, the government intends to bring an end to the Ontario Clean Energy Benefit (OCEB) which takes 10% off bills, adding about $180 to the average family's hydro bill.

Chiarelli also announced a new program funded by ratepayers to help low-income earners in the province with the cost of electricity -- another $11 more a year on the average hydro bill. Mind you, the intent of this program is to help families with an income of less than $40,000 pay for their electricity, so how it will translate for singles is as yet uncertain.

Therefore, the typical Ontario residential hydro consumer can expect to see their bills leap by roughly $120 a year in 2016.

It's a cynical Chiarelli, Wynne, Sandra Pupatello, Roseanne Leclair, Bernard Lord, shell game (the various 'lords-a-leaping' of energy), and as usual the hapless consumer is the net loser.

Once again I say: If you're as fed up with this charade as I am, here is the man to complain to:

Hon. Bob Chiarelli
Ministry of Energy
4^th Floor, Hearst Block
900 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario M7A 2E1

Tel: 416-327-6758
Fax: 416-327-6754

e-mail: bchiarelli@mpp.co@liberal.ola.org 

And if you want to go directly to the top, here is Kathleen Wynne's coordinates:

Hon Kathleen O. Wynne,
Room 281, Main Legislative Building, Queen's Park
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1A1
Tel. 416-325-1941
Fax. 416-325-9895
email: wynne.mkpp@liberal.ola.org 

Enough is enough!