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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2002-06-19, Page 2$-THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Jun. 27, 2001 LAWN QUESTIONS? Call. .. %Oka 524-2424 HURON MASSAGE CLINIC Janine Lavole, 13.8c; WIT For appt. Thurs. Fri. & Sat. call 527-0780 Total Image II ONTARIO ENERGY BOARD FESTIVAL HYDRO INC. ELECTRICITY RATE CHANGE NOTICE OF APPLICATION AND NOTICE OF WRITTEN HEARING Particulars of the Application Festival Hydro Inc. (the "Utility" or "Festival Hydro"), formerly Stratford Public Utilities Commission, must unbundle electricity rates into electricity distribution rates and rates for power and other charges in order to meet the requirements of new legislation. The Utility has filed its submissions with the Ontario Energy Board (the "Board") with respect to rates for the distribution of electricity. The Utility will, at a future date, file its submissions for rates for the provision of regulated power supply (Standard Supply Service or "SSS") and other non-competitive electricity distribution rates related to the transmission of electricity and services provided by the Independent Electricity Market Operator to the Utility ("other non-competitive electricity distribution rates"). In this phase of this proceeding, the Board will approve or fix just and reasonable rates for the distribution of electricity under subsection 78(3) of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998. The Board will approve rates for SSS and other non- competitive electricity distribution rates under subsection 78(3) of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 in a subsequent phase (or phases). The Board has issued an Electricity Distribution Rate Handbook (the "Rate Handbook"), which stipulates that the distribution rate component of the electricity bill must be sub -divided into a fixed monthly charge and a variable charge. This rate restructuring, while having no overall impact on the Utility's revenues, may result in individual customer rate changes. The Rate Handbook also allows a utility to apply for a change in its distribution rates in order to earn up to a market based rate of return after tax. The Rate Handbook was revised on November 3, 2000 incorporating the provisions of the RP -2000-0069 Decision with Reasons, Concerning certain matters relating to the June 7, 2000 Directive by the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology. The RP -2000-0069 Decision indicated that the Utilities would be able to earn market based returns but would have to phase-in any increase in rates over three years to lessen the rate impact on consumers. Merger and Rate Harmonization Plan On September 22, 2000, the City of Stratford and the Town of St. Marys filed an application (RP -2000-0119) with the Board, pursuant to subsection 86 (2) of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998, seeking an order or orders of the Board granting leave for the City of Stratford to purchase all the issued and outstanding shares of a corporation to be held by the Town of St. Marys in a corporation to be established by the Town of St. Marys under a transfer by-law pursuant to section 142 of the Electricity Act. 1998, and that would own and operate the electric distribution assets presently managed by the St. Marys Public Utilities Commission within the boundaries of the Town of St. Marys. In addition, a number of applications were filed between October 20, 2000 and November 7, 2000 (inclusive) by the City of Stratford and affected municipalities seeking an order or orders of the Board granting leave to acquire the voting securities of certain of the incorporated electricity distribution companies operating in the surrounding area. These companies are: Hensel) Public Utilities Commission (RP -2000-0140), Seaforth Public Utilities Commission (RP -2000-0141), Brussels Public Utilities Commission (RP -2000-0143), Zurich Hydro Electric System (RP -2000-0144) and Dashwood Hydro Electric System (RP -2000-0188). The above applications were approved by the Board on May 28, 2001. Festival Hydro Inc. has proposed a rate harmonization plan for, the seven former service territories. Festival Hydro has applied for a rate of retum on common equity of 9.88%. The Utility's selection of this rate of return on common equity results in an additional $1,981,028 from all seven former utilities to be recovered in rates over a three year period. In the first year of the phase-in plan the Utility will recover $660,343 of this amount. The incremental revenue requirement is exclusive of Payments in Lieu of Taxes. The bill impacts due to the unbundling, incremental revenue and the proposed rate harmonization plan in the first year are shown below, for Residential and General Service <50kW customers. The first column shows the impact of the unbundling and incremental revenue on stand-alone utility rates compared to current rates, as if no merger had taken place. The second column shows the harmonized rates compared to the stand-alone rates and the final column compares the harmonized rates to the current rates. Residential Customer using 1000 kWh per month Service Territory Stand -Alone Utility Compared to Current Rates Stratford Seaforth Zurich St. Marys Hensall Brussels Dashwood 3.5% -0.7% 0.9% 1.3% -0.1% 1.2% 0.1°%° general Service Customer using 2000 kWh per month Service Territory Stratford Seaforth Zurich St. Marys Hensall Brussels Dashwood Stand -Alone Utility Compared to Current Rates 4.5% 5.2% 0.5% -0.2% -1.3% -0.5% -0.2% Impact of Harmonized Rate Proposal 0.0% 0.2% 1.2% 0.0% 0.6% -0.2% Impact of Harmonized Rate Proposal -0.2% -12.6% 5.2% 4.4% 7.8% -1.1% 0.2% Proposed Harmonized Rates Compared to Current Rates 3.5% -0.5% 2.1% 1.3% 0.5% 0.6% 0.0% Proposed Harmonized Rates Compared to Current Rates 4.3% -8.0% 5.7% 4.2% 6.4% -1.6% 0.0% Due to rate restructuring, individual customer impacts may be higher or lower depending on a customer's electricity consumption. How to Participate It you wish to participate in this proceeding you must, within 14 calendar days of the publication of this Notice, file a letter with the Board stating whether you wish to intervene, observe, or comment on Phase One, or subsequent phases of this proceeding. For information in how to intervene in, observe or comment on the submissions, please contact the Board's Customers Service Centre at 1-877-632-2727 or by e-mail at Boardsec@oeb.gov.on.ca. Please reference Board file number RP -2000- 0253. You may also visit the frequently asked questions (FAOS) section of the Board's Web site at www,oeb.gov.on,Ca Raring If no person intervenes and requests a hearing, the Board intends to determine the application without a hearing. If any person requests a hearing, the Board intends to proceed by way of a written hearing unless the applicant or any intervenor satisfies the Board that there is good reason not to proceed by way of a written hearing. A request for a hearing must be made within 14 calendar days of the publication of this Notice. How To See The Applicant's Pre -filed Evidence Copies of the submissions of Festival Hydro Inc. are available for inspection al the Board's offices, and at the office of the Utility in Stratford. If you intend to intervene in the proceeding, the Utility upon request is required to give you a copy of its submissions with respect to that phase of the proceeding in which you intend to intervene. IMPORTANT IF YOU DO NOT FILE A LETTER OF INTERVENTION OR A LETTER OF COMMENT, OR IF YOU DO NOT FILE WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS OR PROVIDE REASONS FOR NOT HOLDING A WRITTEN HEARING, THE BOARD MAY PROCEED WITHOUT YOUR PARTICIPATION AND YOU WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO ANY FURTHER NOTICE OF THE PROCEEDING. Addresses Ontario Energy Board P.O. Box 2319 2300 Yonge Street 26th Floor Toronto, Ontario M4P 1E4 Attn: Mr. Paul B. Pudge Board Secretary 1-888-632-6273 (Toll Free) 416-440-7656 (Fax) DATED at Toronto June 21, 2001 ONTARIO ENERGY BOARD Festival Hydro Inc. 187 Erie Street P.O. Box 397 Stratford, Ontario N5A 6T5 Attn: P.G. Switzer President Telephone: 519-271-4700 Fax: 519-271-7204 Peter •'Dell Assist t Board Secretary Inside look...at volunteering More youth needed, says Volunteer Huron From Page 1 might know the sports to come out and help. "It is tough," he said, adding it gets even harder when there are travel teams, a situation minor soccer is not facing this year. When teams play in travel leagues, Nesbitt said it's hard to even get parents to volunteer. "Hockey's becoming even worse. You have to have a police check. There's so much red tape," said Nesbitt. Seaforth Minor Hockey president Gerry McLaughlin refused to comment on the volunteer situation within the local hockey program. But Ritsema said red tape can be a deterrence to recruiting volunteers. Becoming a volunteer now is more like applying for a job. Ritsema works within the Alzheimer's Society which carefully screens its potential volunteers who have to fill out application forms as part of the process. "Volunteerism is becoming more professional," she said, adding organizations such as the Alzheimer's Society, that use volunteers, have to have policies governing how volunteers are used and what they can do. "We screen them, we train then and we motivate them," she said of the process that is similar to hiring an employee. While she said it can be a deterrence to some people interested in volunteering, she also said it can be good to have a more formal process to help keep it all professional. "It's important to recruit the right people for your organization," said Ritsema. She said people understand this is "a changing world" and background checks are important for everyone's safety now. She also said the people who do choose to volunteer usually do it to give something back to their communities but she also said, with the professional Scott Hilgendorff photo Anita Kreutzwiser has been a hospital volunteer for three years. As young person in the community, she has found her efforts to help patients at the hospital a rewarding experience. attitudes that go along with it now, volunteering is great for building a resume. She said this can be particularly important for young people, a resource volunteer organizations having trouble tapping into. "I think the challenge is getting our young people involved. A large portion of our volunteers are elderly or retired," she said. are potential career opportunities. She hopes the provincial government's recent mandate that all students must contribute 40 hours of volunteer service before they can graduate high school will. help encourage some youth to continue to participate. As the current volunteer population continues to age and demands for volunteers Quoted 'I think the challenge is getting our young people involved,' -- Cathy Ritsema, Volunteer Huron "It says a lot on a resume and gives them a flavour of what is out there," she said of the importance for young people to get involved. As it becomes more professional, Ritsema said volunteering can help young people, or anyone, develop new skills and check out increases as overnment services are cut. Ritsema hopes a younger generation will begin to see the importance of volunteering through the high school requirement and begin to till the void.. "The word out there is, we need more volunteers." said Ritsema. Volunteer Betty Glanville takes a break to be with family and avoid getting burned out By Scott Hilgendorff Expositor Editor Betty Glanville wouldn't call herself a victim of volunteer burnout. Shc scaled back her efforts before that could happen. "Sometimes you've got to do that to get reorganized," shc said. While running a 550 acre farm and doing custom farm work with her husband Ken, Betty is described as a phenomenal volunteer by Seaforth Agricultural Society president Gord Glenn. "If there's an extra hour in the day, she finds time to use it." said Glenn. "I just have the highest appreciation for everything she has done there." The agricultural society is where Betty has done most of her scaling hack. She no longer serves as a society director or as president of the fall fair's homecraft September's annual fall fair. She has already been pounding the pavement in search of prize donations for this year's winners. Sundays, she works in the nursery at Cavan United Church. volunteers in a John Deere club running a souvenir booth at a show in Drayton and earlier this month helped sell tickets and prepare food for the 1,500 people who came to the Kinhurn Forresters' annual barbecue. "I enjoy it immensely. You meet so many people." said Betty. "Being a volunteer gives you an outlook on the community." Being a volunteer can also he demanding. Until last year. the fall fair was traditionally held in October. during harvest. one of the busiest times of year for a farmer. "I've conte home from the fair to run the grain huggy." said Glanville. "We put in long days." Despite the demands. Betty said, "I like to he involved. Quoted 'If there's an . extra hour in the day, she finds time to use it,'-- Gord Glenn, Seaforth Agricultural Society president. division and is not helping out at this weekend's tractor elimination draw and dance, one of the society's largest events that attracts hundreds of people from across the province. "I 'stopped before I did get burned out," said Betty, who knew this summer was going to he filled with family events from an 80th birthday for Ken's mother to showers and other family gatherings. "I wanted to be a part of it," said Betty, recognizing that if she stayed as heavily involved with the agricultural society as she normally is, she wouldn't be able to enjoy a summer with her family. And Betty enjoys being a volunteer so much shc still maintains a long list of volunteer duties despite concerns about burning out. "I still enjoy the agricultural society very much," she said, with plans to continue helping with thc homecraft exhibits at this You get a lot out of the community if you put something hack in. Every person should do at (east one small voluntccr job." She said it's important to teach children to voluntccr to help ensure there will be a new generation of people who know the significant impact their help can have on their communities. "You learn so much about your community and thc people involved." she said. "I don't think thc younger ones know how many people it takes to get soccer and hroomhall to happen," she said. drawing from experience as a former minor baseball voluntccr. Shc said volunteers are needed everywhere including thc agricultural society, which hosts several large events in the community including the fair, tractor draw and farm toy. doll show and craft sale.