GUELPH, ONTARIO — (Marketwire) — 01/18/12 — Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc. would like to reassure its customers that the safety and reliability of its electricity network is not at risk. “Ontario–s electricity distribution utilities have been providing customers with a safe and reliable supply of electricity for more than 100 years,” notes Barry Chuddy, CEO of Guelph Hydro Inc. “While it is true that some utilities in Ontario will require extraordinary funding for capital expenditures over the next few years to refurbish or replace aging infrastructure, others such as Guelph Hydro, have robust, well-maintained networks that will only need a manageable amount of capital investment.”
Along with many other utilities in Ontario, Guelph Hydro agrees that major changes in the energy industry have resulted in the need to streamline some regulatory processes such as the procedure utilities are required to follow to apply for rate changes or funding for capital improvements. However, the regulatory burden on Guelph Hydro will not prevent it from distributing safe, reliable power to its customers.
“Ontario is served by 78 local electricity distribution companies operating in a wide range of environments,” points out Jim Keech, Chair of the Electricity Distributors Association (EDA), noting that the density of a utility–s customer base, the age of the assets, and historic investment and depreciation patterns all impact the frequency and duration of outages. “Utilities require a flexible regulatory framework that takes all utility requirements, including major infrastructure renewal, into account.”
“We take the trust the public places in us to deliver electricity safely and reliably to their homes and businesses very, very seriously,” says Chuddy. “We certainly don–t want our customers to suffer from any undue anxiety caused by news reports that suggest the reliability of the electricity network is in jeopardy. We do, however, support any efforts by government, agencies, associations, utilities or others to work together to review regulatory processes with the goal of creating a more efficient and cost-effective regulatory framework for the electricity sector that will bring added value to consumers.”
Two white papers, entitled The Case for Reform – How regulatory streamlining could benefit consumers and Electricity is the Answer: The EDA–s Roadmap for Delivering Ontario–s Electric Future published by the EDA in 2011 are available at .
About Guelph Hydro
Winner of the Ontario Energy Association Large Company of the Year award, Guelph Hydro Inc. is helping to create a reliable, diversified and sustainable energy supply to ensure the long-term competitiveness and prosperity of the communities it serves. The company is 100 per cent owned by the City of Guelph.
Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc. is the local electricity distribution company that delivers electricity safely and reliably to 50,000 customers in Guelph and Rockwood, Ontario. Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc. provides essential infrastructure for the communities served to grow and prosper, and promotes energy conservation to customers. The company is 100 per cent owned by Guelph Hydro Inc.
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Contacts:
Media Contact: Guelph Hydro Inc.
Sandy Manners
Director of Corporate Communications
519.837.4703 or Cell: 226.218.0157