Hydro cuts may be on the way, but the root of the problem still isn’t being addressed. That’s the message from Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Norm Miller, who says the issue comes down to the Green Energy Act. He says the Wynne Liberals have been signing, and continue to sign, renewable energy contracts at a loss of $1 billion every year. Miller says that program gives long-term contracts to private producers of wind and solar energy, well above market value, sometimes even giving it away.
Miller says to really get to the root of the problem of the high electricity costs, the government needs to stop signing renewable energy contracts, and review the ones that have already been signed.
He also notes some other steps need to be taken as well, like looking at the salaries of Hydro One employees. He says the head of the company is making around $4 million a year, 10 times more than Hydro Quebec and BC Hydro. Miller says the ongoing sale of Hydro One also needs to be stopped.
Miller has been lobbying for cuts on delivery charges as well. He says it’s unfair that the fees are so high, and it will be nice to see some relief for homeowners in the area.
The Wynne Liberals announced a 17 per cent cut to Hydro bills this morning, on top of the 8 per cent rebate introduced in January. That number could be higher for low-income families, and rural customers. Miller says that means paying about $40 billion in interest over the next 30 years, to finance the Hydro bill subsidy.