Message: D08-37964

From: BoardSec
To: Lillian Ing
Cc:
Sent: 2008-10-31 at 11:06 AM
Received: 2008-10-31 at 11:06 AM
Subject: FW: File no. EB-2008-0272, Hydro One Networks Inc.



______________________
John Pickernell
Assistant Board Secretary
Ontario Energy Board
416-440-7605
Fax: 416-440-7656
Website: www.oeb.gov.on.ca
Official Correspondence: BoardSec@oeb.gov.on.ca

Address:
P.O. Box 2319
2300 Yonge Street 27th Floor
Toronto, ON
M4P 1E4
______________________


-----Original Message-----
From: Judy Bernstein [mailto:bernstj@algonquincollege.com]
Sent: October 31, 2008 1:03 AM
To: BoardSec
Cc: Judy Bernstein
Subject: File no. EB-2008-0272, Hydro One Networks Inc.

From: Judy Bernstein
24 Central Ave.,
Ottawa, Ontario.
K2p 0m9 613 233 2625 (home phone)
bernstj@algonquincollege.com (email)

Ms Kirsten Walli
Board Secretary Ontario Energy Board

It has come to my attention that yet another rate increase is being applied
for. The application refers to one which has already been approved. On top
of this, increases will occur, especially for Hydro clients who heat their
homes electrically, once Smart Meters are in use.

I am finding my hydro bills already prohibitive. I have an electric furnace
and have no choice but to use it during peak times during winter months,
otherwise I and my pipes will freeze. There is no consideration for
customers who heat homes using Hydro energy and I propose that there should
be. We cannot shut off our power as one can with lights or decide not to
take showers. The homes must be heated and at the proposed higher daytime
rates, our bills are going to be prohibitive. I cannot afford to change my
furnace to gas. I already turn down the heat during the day when at work and
at night once in bed but I cannot turn it off. I never use the air
conditioning. I have energy saving bulbs everywhere. There is nothing more
I can do other than move.

These increases are making it impossible to heat with Hydro. These increases
are going to drive away customers to cheaper energy resources not
necessarily environmentally more beneficial ones. I feel completely trapped.
My only alternative will be to sell my home.

I am to retire in a few years and then would have to heat my home at a
comfortable temperature during the day, rather than turn it down as I now
do. As a pensioner, home during the day, my smart meter would bill me at the
highest rates. I feel this is totally unjust.

I find the extra charges, (transmission charges?) very high already and now
everything will be higher. Seniors living in apartments heated by hydro will
be hit with huge rate increases as they have no option but to use hydro
during peak hours and have less tolerance for cold.

I would like to see accommodations for clients who heat with hydro once the
smartmeters are in use. They should be charged a lower rate.

I also feel that seniors should be subsidized in some way and should not be
forced to spend the day under blankets!

I am not in favour af any further rate increases. Financial times are
difficult now and this will add yet more to the financial burden that
residents are already coping with.

Please consider these points and suggestions at your proceedings.
Thank you

Judy Bernstein
--
Algonquin College, Career and College Prep. Dept., room J205
1385 Woodroffe Ave., Nepean, Ontario, K2G 1V8

phone: 613 727-4723, ext. 5714 Fax: 613 727- 7625