Author: Aly Hemraj

For customers who are having difficulties paying their utility bills, Oshawa PUC Networks Inc. has several ways to help.

We work closely with social agencies in the Durham Region area to offer assistance and ease the burden of paying utility bills for low income individuals and families in our local community, while helping to ensure we can continue to provide utility services to their homes. If you, or someone you know, are having difficulties paying utility bills, please consider the following assistance. 

Contact us

First and foremost, before falling behind on utility bill payments, contact us for assistance. We want to work with our customers to help. Call our Customer Service department at 905-723-4623, Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Emergency assistance for customers with past due amounts on bill

The Low Income Emergency Assistance Program (LEAP) offers assistance to customers who are struggling to pay their electricity bills. A one-time grant of up to $500 in emergency assistance for low-income customers ($600 if the home is heated electrically) is available to those who qualify. Call the Community Development Council of Durham at 905-686-2661 to see if you are eligible. We will suspend disconnection for 21 days if, at the time, we are notified you are being assessed for eligibility to receive emergency funding under the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP).

Monthly credit on the bill

The Ontario Electricity Support Program, or OESP, provides ongoing assistance directly on the bills of eligible low-income electricity consumers. Eligible customers can receive a $35 to $75 credit on their monthly electricity bill. If your home is electrically heated, or you rely on medical devices requiring a lot of power, OESP offers a higher level of assistance

Customers can apply online at OntarioElectricitySupport.ca, call OESP at 1-855-831-8151 or contact John Howard Society for application information and assistance at 905-579-8482.

Equal Payment Plans

Oshawa PUC Networks offer their customers the option of an equal billing plan. You will be billed an amount each month equal to the average of your bills from the last 12 months. We will review your equal monthly payment plan at least once a year to make sure you have not paid too much or too little. You have the choice of payment due dates of either the 5th, 15th or 25th of the month. You will have to sign to have your payments automatically withdrawn from you bank account.

Benefits:

This option helps you plan your monthly payments based on a consistent amount.

If you end up owing your utility more than the amount billed, the utility will collect those funds over a period of 12 months.

If your utility owes you, a credit will be applied to your account or you can get a refund cheque depending on the amount.

Arrears Management Program

Oshawa PUC Networks offers you the opportunity to go on an Arrears Payment Plan. The payment amount is calculated after:

  • Applying your security deposit (if you have one) to the total amount owed.
  • Charging you a down payment of up to 15 per cent of the total amount owed as well as additional service charges, such as a reconnection charge.

If you owe less than twice your average monthly bill, you will have at least five months to pay. If you owe more than twice your average monthly bill, then you will be given at least 10 months. Don’t fall behind on your payments. You are still responsible for paying your regular electricity bill and the payment plan. If you miss more than one payment, the local utility may cancel the payment plan.

Exception: You may not be able to enter into an arrears payment plan if you have already been on a plan in the last two years.

There are separate rules for low-income customers who want to enter into an arrears payment plan. Oshawa PUC Networks will waive security deposits, and allow longer payment times. If you owe less than twice your average monthly bill, you will have at least 8 months to pay. If you owe more than twice your average monthly bill, then you will be given at least 12 months.

saveONenergy Home Assistance Program

Offered by local utilities, this program provides free, energy efficient devices and products to qualified homeowners, tenants with no cost to lower future consumption. Some products include LED light bulbs, ENERGYSTAR certified ceiling fans, advanced power bars and more. Customers may also be eligible for a new, energy-efficient refrigerator or other appliance as well as a programmable thermostat, weather-stripping and extra insulation if they live in a home that is electrically heated. Call 1-877-688-5640 or email homeassistance@summerhill.com to see if you qualify. Learn more

Online help to save energy and money

Oshawa PUC Networks Inc. expects to rollout My EnergyXpert to customers by Winter 2018, and will present customers with free online energy audits and energy savings plans that will drive action towards achieving energy savings. Using information specific to your home, we can help you pin-point energy saving opportunities and take advantage of financial incentive programs. Visit our website for more energy saving ideas and coupons.

Affordability Fund Trust

The Government of Ontario established the Affordability Fund as part of the Ontario Fair Hydro Plan to assist electricity customers who do not qualify for low-income conservation programs and are unable to make energy efficiency improvements without financial assistance.  Eligible customers will benefit from upgrades to their home that will help make it more energy-efficient and in turn, will reduce their electricity bills over the long-term.  Individuals who qualify for the Home Assistance Program, Low-Income Energy Assistance Program and the Ontario Electricity Support Program are not eligible for the Affordability Fund.  For more information call 1-855-494-FUND (1-855-494-3863) or visit www.affordabilityfund.org.

Know your rights

The Ontario Energy Board developed a list of rules, including for payment plans and disconnection, to ensure all consumers across the province are treated fairly. Review customer service rules for electricity from the Ontario Energy Board to understand repayment options and arrangements, special rules for low-income customers, and more.

Further information

To speak one-on-one with a member of our team, call Customer Service at 905-723-4623, Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Further resources:

  • Connect with us on Twitter @OPUCN and Facebook or subscribe to our email list and receive regular energy saving tips and industry updates

Oshawa PUC Networks Inc. warns of phone scam targeting small businesses.

OPUCN would like to caution our customers to be aware of a scam which involves calls originating from an 800-number and involves targeting small businesses almost exclusively asking customers to purchase pre-paid cards to make payment to avoid disconnection of hydro service.

OPUCN notifies customers of outstanding balances ONLY through an automated phone call or hand delivered notice and customers are given time to make overdue payments.

  • OPUC Never asks you to pay by pre-paid credit card or wire transfer over the phone.
  • We NEVER threaten to disconnect you right away
  • If someone calls and threatens to disconnect you if you don’t make a payment right away by pre-paid credit card or wire transfer, SAY NO and HANG UP!
  • Never give your personal financial Information.

If you receive a call report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. This agency collects information on fraud and works closely with police to solve these crimes. You can also contact the Durham Regional Fraud Unit at 905-579-1520.

OSHAWA – Oshawa households and businesses can take credit for positive results in this past weekend’s Earth Hour event. Oshawa PUC Networks Inc. holds the distinction of being one of the few utilities that celebrated an increase in Earth Hour participation this year. Compared to the consumption leading up to Earth Hour Oshawa realized a 4.4% reduction in usage which equates to 6.03 megawatts of electricity savings. This is an increase from the 3.1% reduction in 2016.[/gdlr_column]

These results further display Oshawa’s active participation in energy conservation initiatives. We are proud of our customer’s effort to contribute to Earth Hour and demonstrating our collective commitment to increasing energy awareness and its impact on climate change. Thank you Oshawa.

Click here if you would like to get more information on energy conversation.

Ivano Labricciosa
President & CEO
Oshawa Power & Utilities Corporation
“Proudly Serving Oshawa With A Lifetime of Power”

On March 2, 2017, the Government of Ontario announced several measures it will be implementing as part of a relief plan to lower electricity bills for Ontario residential customers by an average of 25%. The measures announced will also benefit many small businesses.

Referred to as Ontario’s Fair Hydro Plan, it includes:

  • the 8% rebate that came into effect on January 1, 2017;
  • increases in funding amounts for eligible participants in the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP);
  • the establishment of an Affordability Fund to help further support energy-efficiency initiatives; and,
  • holding electricity price increases over the next four years to the rate of inflation.

Initial changes to take effect on May 1, 2017 will be reflected on customer bills starting this summer. More details are expected as new legislation is introduced in the weeks ahead. We will keep you informed of the changes.

For additional information on the Fair Hydro Plan announcement, read the Government of Ontario news release at https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2017/03/ontario-cutting-electricity-bills-by-25-per-cent.html

Oshawa Power encourages customers to be prepared in the event of power outages

OSHAWA, ON – Monday, January 17, 2017 – The weather forecast from Environment Canada for Oshawa PUC Networks Inc. is includes the possibility of Freezing Rain accumulation of 2 to 5 mm on untreated surfaces for the Oshawa service area starting on Tuesday morning continuing through to Wednesday morning. Oshawa PUC Networks Inc. will continue to monitor storm models and weather forecasts and is preparing for the forecasted branches or electrical wires that could break under the weight of ice, by ensuring line crews and staff are available to respond. Oshawa PUC Networks Inc. will optimize the electrical distribution system prior to the Freezing Rain as a mitigation strategy. Our Emergency Response Team has met to prepare for possible outages in Oshawa.

Oshawa PUC Networks Inc. is encouraging customers to be prepared for power outages before the power goes out. Emergency Management Ontario and local emergency responders recommend that residents prepare and plan to be self-sufficient for 72 hours in an emergency situation. Please make sure that you have flashlights and batteries available.   Do not use charcoal or a gas barbecue, camping heating equipment or portage generators indoors as they produce deadly carbon monoxide gas. Down hydro lines are considered live, contact our 24/7 telephone number (905) 723-4623 and refer to outage maps on our website at www.oshawapower.ca/outages. Follow us on Twitter or Facebook @oshawapower for updates.

Before you leave home, please do a walkthrough of your home or business just as you would when going on vacation and make sure all appliances are turned off such as stoves, ovens, coffeemakers, etc.

Stay safe and informed

Just like you, we’re keeping a close eye on the weather. We’re ready to respond if it causes damage and outages in the Oshawa area. Whenever severe weather threatens, it’s important to stay safe and informed.

Quote from Roger Ersil, Manager Metering and Operations, “Our systems have been checked and we are ready to detect and respond to power outages.”

In the event of a power failure, our outage notification system will call you during the allowable telecommunication hours set out by the Government of Canada (CRTC).  The recorded message will let you know that we are aware of a power outage at your home or business and that crews have been dispatched.  Please provide OPUCN with your most up to date contact information if you would like to receive a call.  This can be done by contacting us or by calling 905-723-4623.

Oshawa, ON…On November 14, 2016 the City of Oshawa experienced a power outage that affected approximately 18,000 customers in the north east quadrant of the City. The outage started at approximately 6:00 p.m. and Oshawa Power crews worked tirelessly throughout the evening to safely restore power to all customers by 11:15 p.m.

“The Oshawa Power crews pulled together and did not stop working until power was safely restored to every customer affected by the outage”, said Ivano Labricciosa, President and CEO of Oshawa Power. “It is tremendous efforts like this one that show our commitment to the residents of Oshawa.”

The root cause of the outage was a 44,000 volt overhead conductor splice failure that caused a live power line to come down at the corners of Mary Street and Taunton Road. In the process of making the site safe and restoring power, we experienced a second event as a 44,000 volt switch failed on an adjacent circuit at the main Wilson Substation at Rossland Road extending the duration of the outage.

Oshawa Power has implemented new customer facing technology solutions such as an on-line website customer portal, live outage reporting and tracking map and a twitter social media account that provide timely 24 hour customer information. During the outage, there was a significant spike in Oshawa customers seeking real-time updates on the status and restoration time for outages with over 50,000 impressions from these various communication channels.

About Oshawa Power and Utilities Corporation
Oshawa Power and Utilities Corporation (Oshawa Power) is the holding company for a diversified group of four subsidiaries involved in energy distribution, telecom ventures, clean power generation and solar energy generation. Through its subsidiaries OPUC provides: safe, reliable and efficient electricity distribution services to over 57,000 customers; develops, constructs and operates clean and green energy generation assets in Ontario; and provides a reliable dark fibre optics communications network within Oshawa and the Region of Durham. OPUC is wholly owned by the Corporation of The City of Oshawa.

Media Contact:
Nadeige Carter
905-439-1917; ncarter@opuc.on.ca
www.oshawapower.ca

Oshawa PUCN’s network relies on approximately 11,000 poles to provide power to our customers. Over time these poles can weaken due to poor weather conditions, insects, birds and wildlife. In order to maintain the reliability and safety of our poles and network, OPUC has contracted PoleCare International to perform a city wide inspection of all of our poles. These pole inspections are planned to be completed by the fall.

As early as the end of June 2016, your mail delivery may be interrupted or delayed by a possible labour disruption at Canada Post.  While this labour disruption may be delayed or avoided at any time, here are some important things to keep in mind as it pertains to your Oshawa PUC Networks bill:

  1. You are still responsible for paying your bill by the payment due date. To avoid potential late payment charges, make the switch to eBilling to receive your monthly bill by email notification when your bill is ready.  Visit http://opuc.on.ca/residential/ebill/
  1. Even though your bill won’t be delivered by mail, you can still login to download or print a PDF copy of your bill at any time at https://ecareets.opuc.on.ca/myDSM/login.asp
  1. Because Canada Post will not be making deliveries during a labour disruption, we will be unable to accept payment by mail. For payment options visit http://opuc.on.ca/residential/bill-information/payment-options/.  This same information can be found on the back of your electricity bill under Payment Methods.