May 31, 2022

Sent by email to:

To:  Registrar, @oeb.ca
        Mr. D.Gpic - gapicd@milton hydro.com

Re: EB-2022-0049 Cost Of Service Rate Application 
       2023 Electricity Distribution Rates
       Response to Mr. Gapic's letter of May 26, 2023

Mr. Gapic appears to be seeking more information about NCCC(Nassagaweya Community Consultation Committee).  The following will  bring more information to the submission for intervenor status:

Nassagaweya was created in 1819 and originally was part of Halton County.  In 1974 the township became part of the Regional Municipality of Halton.  The name is derived from the Mississauga word nazhesahgewayyong, meaning river with two outlets.  This refers to the fact that the watercourse drains to both Lake Ontrio and the Grand River System.   Nassagaweya Consultation Committee(NCCC) derived its name from its rich cultural past.  It was formed back in 1996.

NCCC is made up of representatives from the community, local and regional councillors, police and fire departments.   NCCC is involved in local projects, hosting local meetings and concerned residents bring issues to the Committee who advocate on their behalf.  I am a member and have advocated at local and regional Councils for many years.

Our Committee, before the pandemic. had monthly scheduled meetings, but due to the pandemic, this was not possible.  The OEB can identify with the difficulties of having meetings, even as we come out of the pandemic,  as can be seen with OEB's approval for Milton Hydro to cancel the important mandatory local  Public Meeting. NCCC is in the process of planning  meetings.  One requested item on the agenda is the current Milton Hydro request for an increase of 4.18% which will have a negative impact on both residential and business customers.

This application which is before the OEB, although submitted in April of 2022, has "roots" going back to the Fall of 2021 with the Customer Engagement Survey.  Participating as an intervenor will allow important information from this time to be brought forward to the hearing.  It will:

a) allow much needed examination of The Customer Engagement Survey, submitted as supportive material 
b) provide an opportunity to bring clarity to  the ambiguous statements  in the submission
c) illustrate  the  negative impact which a huge  increase  will have on local customers and
    businesses 
d) examine whether there are any direct benefits, from this huge increase, for Milton Hydro customers
e) discuss  alternate methods to achieve the current goals set out by Milton Hydro while ameliorating  unfair and
    punitive increases in the proposed hydro rates
      
These perspectives can only be brought forward by the local community and hydro customers,  who are familiar with past and present events and issues surrounding this increase.    I cannot think of anyone more qualified to have a "substantial interest" then from  community input from Milton Hydro customers who will be most impacted by this submission.
 
Although there are other intervenors, they may not be aware of local issues in regard to Milton Hydro's operations and whether  the "needs" as outlined in the application justify a huge increase in the cost of hydro.      

A request has been made for an oral hearing, since  greater clarity can be achieved in a back and forth dialogue. This kind of hearing provides flexibility which will enhance understanding between the parties involved.  In person would be preferable, or a electronic hearing could be used.   

It is difficult to understand why Mr. Gapic is so dismissive of local intervenor representation at this hearing.  Does he think that local concerns are not important?

J.O.L. Shewchun