Toronto—Regardless of where deregulation and privatization of electricity has been implemented, the competitive market experiment for hydro has meant higher rates and unreliable service. In the United States were deregulation has proved a huge economic blunder, 22 states are now re-regulating the industry.
Despite the dismal experiences of other jurisdictions, the Ontario Tory government plans to forge ahead with opening the electricity market to competition and the outright sell-off of Hydro One.
The Ontario Electricity Coalition (OEC) a province-wide grassroots group opposed to electricity deregulation and privatization is travelling the province holding public forums detailing the facts about electricity reform and developing community-based campaigns to short circuit the hydro sell-off. In Windsor the OEC has found a groundswell of support from local residents and have are working in partnership with the Citizen’s Environment Alliance.
The Windsor area forum is scheduled for:
Saturday February 23
12:30pm - 3:30pm
University of Windsor, Ambassador Auditorium
CAW Student Centre
“There are many local residents, who understand that forcing competition in the electricity sector will not only mean higher rates for residential customers but will hurt local industries such auto manufacturing, the staple of the Windsor economy,” says Paul Kahnert with the OEC.
To find out more about the OEC visit our website at electricitycoalition.org.
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For more information please contact:
Paul Kahnert, OEC Spokesperson
(416) 407-0077
Dr. Keith Stewart, Toronto Environmental Alliance
(416) 596-0660
Stella Yeadon, OEC Communications
(416) 578-8774