"We need to get people reconnected and those limiters off!" was Francesca Dobbyn's first reaction to a major announcement from the Ontario Energy Board (OEB)  today.  The Executive Director of the United Way of Bruce Grey has worked tirelessly not only for residents of Grey and Bruce but those all over Ontario who have lost their electricity service because they have been unable to pay.

The new rules mean reconnection for those who have been cut off for non-payment and the removal of load-limiting devices.  No residential services will be disconnected, at least until April 30 this year.

The OEB intends to launch a comprehensive review of customer service rules for both electricity and natural gas in the near future. More enduring rules relating to disconnection, among other matters, will be developed through this review.

The specifics of today's announcement are as follows:

i. Until April 30, 2017, no electricity distributor may disconnect a residential customer solely on the grounds of non-payment or issue a disconnection notice to a residential customer solely on the grounds of non-payment.

ii. Until April 30, 2017, no electricity distributor may install a load limiting device in respect of a residential customer's premises solely by reason that the customer is in arrears on the payment of their electricity bill.

iii. All residential customers who have had their service disconnected solely by reason of non-payment or who have had their service restricted through a load limiting device must be reconnected or have their service fully restored as soon as possible, and any otherwise applicable reconnection charge or charge for the removal of a load limiting device must be waived. As must Collection of Account charges that could otherwise be charged during the period of the disconnection ban.

iv. Electricity distributors will report to the OEB on their progress in reconnecting or restoring full service to residential customers as set out in paragraph (iii).

v. Electricity distributors must continue to respect all applicable safety requirements or standards.