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PAGE 4THE CANADIAN STATESMAN. FEBRUARY 13.2002 Hydro price hike in spring Smoking bylaw gaining support in Durham Region V .L 1. " munitmnK in IVtt'rhornin'h which all view drinkine as more of a récréai HYDRO from page I 5.69 cents per kw/li for the next three years. Based on a usage of 1,000 kw/li per month (slightly more than the average average household usage), the cost will rise from the current S43 per month to $57 a month. Electricity production accounts for about 47 per cent of the average residential bill with the remainder remainder of the bill accounting for distribution distribution and other charges, says Mr. Armstrong. On the electricity distribution component. component. Vcridian is asking for an increase increase that would add another seven per cent to the overall bill. The increase increase would move the company toward toward a market rate of return and allow it to compensate for new regulations regarding latc-chargc payments. It will also include a mandatory debt-retirement debt-retirement charge to be paid to the Ontario Ontario government toward $7.8 million of Ontario Hydro's stranded debt, says Mr. Armstrong. Mr. Pospisil says it is important for people to understand Ontario's electricity electricity rates have been frozen by the government since 1993. The artificially artificially low rate, capped to help the economy economy recover from the recession of the early nineties, increased Ontario Hydro debt by $8 billion between 1993 and 1998. This was added on to $30 billion in debt created between 1983 and 1993, he says. Had the monopoly monopoly been allowed to continue and rates allowed to increase unchecked, electricity rates, the debt, or both would be much higher than today, he suggests. "When you ask where we're going you have to understand where we're coming from." he says, noting the freeze could not continue indefinitely. While Ontario is headed toward a competitive market. Mr. Pospisil insists insists it will still be heavily regulated through the OEB and there arc no factors factors that point to strong market volatility. "On the supply side we have a really really nice margin." between the amount of electricity available and the demand, says Mr. Pospisil who adds, "the demand here is easy to predict." and there is no California-type situation situation in Ontario's future, he believes. In other markets in states near Ontario's Ontario's borders, the open market continues continues to offer low rates, lie says. In fact, residents who choose to buy their energy through the spot market, instead of settling on a fixed rate, will still have some protection from heavy price fluctuation, Mr. Pospisil says. Ontario Power Generation Generation (OPG), the energy provider for about 75 per cent of Ontario's electricity electricity will initially have a cap on its profits and residents who pay high prices on the spot market through the first year may receive a rebate at the end of the year from OPG. In the end, residents will have to decide for themselves whether to run with the market or settle on a higher fixed rate they can count on, says Mr. Armstrong who likens it to fixing in a set mortgage rate or going with a variable variable rate. ' "Vcridian Connections is not advocating advocating to go one way or the other," he says. For some, security is key but "those who feel they'd rather take a gamble may just want to ride the spot market," he concludes. SMORIXG from pane I believers in supporting the local economy." economy." said Ms. Stroud. Second-hand smoke in local restaurants is driving her and her husband out of the municipality to dine. "We visit a number of different restaurants in Peterborough which all seem to continue to thrive even with a total smoking ban in place." she said. Mr. Komarnieki noted the couple would not be opposed to an exemption to the bylaw for bars. "Eating is something something that you do on a regular basis. We view drinking as more of a recreational activity or entertainment which you can choose to do or not," he said. Ciarington council has referred the Region's request to municipal staff to report report back to council. Ciarington must give the Region an answer by Feb. 28. Veridian Connections Update: Proposed Adjustment to Electricity Distribution Rates Newspaper award mominations NEWSPAPER from page 1 crime reporter has allowed us to deliver deliver a number of excellent investigative pieces to our readers in the past year including a feature on a 50-year-old unsolved murder, an interview with a member of the newly-formed Oshawa chapter of the Hells Angels, and an expose expose on how the mental health system tracks patients found not criminally responsible responsible for their actions." Other nominees include: • Cartoonist Tim Dolighan, This Week, for a commentary on the tracking tracking of people found not criminally responsible responsible for their actions; • Reporter Joe Chin, This Week, Best Business and Finance Story, for a ' story on the steel industry in Ontario; 1 • Reporter Brian McNair, This Week, nominated for Best Sport and Recreation Story, for a story on why more young referees are calling it quits. This Week has also been nominated for Best Community Service for the Durham Regional Spelling Bee. Now entering its third year, the Bee was named Ontario's Best Community Service project at last year's awards. Additional nominees for the Durham division are: • Reporter Jennifer Stone, The Canadian Statesman, nominated for Education Writing for a story on schoolyard bullies; • Columnist Neil Crone, Uxbridge Times-Journal, for Humour Columnist of the Year; • Reporter Lesley Bovie, Uxbridge Tribune, for Best Agricultural Story, for a feature on 4H clubs; • Photographer Jason Liebregts, Ajax & Pickering News Advertiser, Best Photo Layout, for a photo feature on the Ciarington Speed Skating Club; • Ron Pietroniro, Ajax & Pickering News Advertiser, Best Feature Photo. The News Advertiser is nominated for Best Retail Advertising Layout. The News Advertiser also placed in the top five for General Excellence, circulation over 25,000. This Week reporter Natalie Miller is nominated for Columnist of the Year for work she did last year for our sister paper, Peterborough This Week. To: Our Valued Customers in Ajax, Pickering. Ciarington and Uxbridge. I'm writing to advise you of a proposed adjustment to Veridian Connections' rates for electricity distribution services. A request for approval of this rate change has been submitted to the Ontario Energy Board. If authorized, new distribution rates will take effect on March 1, 2002. Why Arc Rates Being Adjusted? This rate adjustment is not unique to Vcridian Connections. It affects most of Ontario's electricity distributors, and is driven by government legislation that has changed our businesses from non-profit operations to commercial enterprises. While a commercial orientation for our business will promote greater efficiencies, it also introduces new costs. For example, we must now make payments equivalent to corporate income taxes - payments that will be used by the provincial government to retire the debt of the former Ontario Hydro. These new taxes account for over sixty percent of our proposed rate adjustment. The balance of the rate increase is required to establish a commercially viable business. How Will It Affect You? The impact of the rate adjustment will vary by customer type and consumption level. The monthly bill for a typical residential customer using 1,000 kWh's of electricity will increase from $91.69 to $98.14. This represents an increase of about 7% on the total electricity bill. Full details of the proposed new rates can be viewed on-line at www.veridian.on.ca. or in person at 55 Taunton Road East in Ajax. Our Commitment To You While our business in changing, our focus remains the same. We arc committed to providing our customers with the highest standard of service, at competitive distribution rates. And, as we are locally owned and operated, you can count on us to continue our tradition of support to the communities that we serve. Yours truly, '&ryr>+<- John Wiersma President and CEO VERIDIAN CONNECTIONS The power to make your community better. Sdrug mart CORRECTION NOTICE On page 1 of the Shoppers Drug Mart flyer in effect from Saturday February 9th, 2002 to Friday February 15, 2002 the advertisement for Anais Anais should have read Eau de Toilette (30mL). We apologize for any inconvenience. /Ai ^j) VV/rA.Li u. Ji I 77-.-A, ~ ii J 3, A) Vi 77ki C FINANCIAL SECURITY PLANNING D ( LETTERING SERVICES ) ( AUTO, fiSSiSnsiNG To have your flyers delivered by Durham's #1 Carrier Force! Call 579-4407 REACHING YOUR GOALS TAKES CAREFUL PLANNING That's why we're here to help. 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