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THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, NOVEMBER 13,2002 PAGE 3 < J www.durhamregion.com Hydro freeze welcomed by businesses Profits to offset increase BY JACQUIE MclNNES Staff Writer DURHAM - Durham residents and businesses are rejoicing at news of a retroactive freeze in hydro rates after the Province backed down on a plan to stop subsidizing electricity costs. "Our hydro bill was $3,500 for 60 days on our last bill," says Kathy Anyan, co-owner of Kings Court Catering and Einstein Restaurant in Bowmanville. "That's $700 to $800 more" than the company would have paid during the same period last year, she says. A rebate program and rate freeze for the next four years is very welcome, says Mrs. Anyan.'"It means I can pay other bills. It's not a big deal now with Christmas but in January and February when it's not really busy, it becomes a concern." Since 1994 Ontarians en joyed a freeze in hydro rates until the market opening May l. Consumers were then charged the real commodity commodity price for the first time in more than eight years. But with businesses and residents across Ontario balking at hydro bills that jumped significantly in the past few months, Premier Ernie Eves backtracked on the plan earlier this week, announcing the government would freeze rates at 4.3 cents per kilowatt/hour, approximately approximately the rate consumers consumers were paying prior to market opening. Since market opening, rates have fluctuated from under four cents per kilowatt/hour kilowatt/hour to more than eight cents with an average of 5.1 cents from May to the end of October. The biggest concerns concerns have come when consumers consumers received bills for the August and September periods periods when rates were ranging between six and eight cents, says Ted Gretzner, spokesman for the Independent Independent Market. Operator John O'Toole: 'I have a responsibility to my constituents and the calls I got were dealing primarily with people on fixed incomes.' (IMO). The commodity price for electricity makes up roughly half the electricity bill, with other ser vices including delivery and a service service charge to pay off the former Ontario Hydro's stranded debt comprising the remaining amount paid by the end user. Local MPPs say they too were hearing from constituents whose livelihood and quality of life was threatened by the increase in rates. "The freeze on the rates was very, very important to me. I have . a responsibility to my constituents and the calls I got were dealing primarily with people on fixed incomes," incomes," says Durham MPP John O'Toole. The MPP sits on the cabinet committee for energy and environment. "Now the consumer will only, pay 4.3 cents and the Province will pay the rest from the profits of Ontario Power Generation (OPG)," he says. Although OPG was privatized as part of the change in electricity delivery, the Province is still, the major shareholder, shareholder, says Mr. O'Toole. Now that the question of cost to the consumer is resolved, the issue still raising concern from critics, including the energy watchdog organization Ener- gyProbe, is the availability of supply. supply. One worry is that freezing rates will discourage investment by the private sector in new electricity electricity generation plants. That investment investment is needed to ensure Ontario Ontario has a stable supply of electricity. electricity. Currently the Province imports imports about 15 per cent of its electricity electricity during peak periods, says Mr. Gretzner, who notes Ontario's availability of electricity is the same as it was prior to the May market opening. However, he adds, the delay of the restart at the Pickering A reactors has had a negative effect on domestic supply. supply. Mr. O'Toole says market price will still be paid to generators, the only difference will be the amount showing up on consumers' bills because the government will be paying the difference. Also, in a further announcement announcement Tuesday, the government announced announced tax strategies to encourage encourage private sector investment including including rapid depreciation allowances allowances on capital investments. A third announcement is expected later this week regarding the governance governance of OPG, Mr. O'Toole said. "We are doing whatever it takes to protect the consumer," says Mr. O'Toole. "At the same time we must plan for a future with clean, sustainable power in support of the Kyoto targets." Canada is currently one partner in an international $ 12-billion research research project that could be located located in Durham Region. The aim of that research is to develop fusion as an alternative energy source for the future, mindful of Kyoto protocols. protocols. In the meantime, Mr. Gretzner says, the job of the IMO is to ensure ensure Ontario's lights remain turned on this winter. ATM vault robbed AJAX - A pair of crafty thieves who cleaned out an ATM bank vault on the weekend likely had inside knowledge, a police spokesman says. Durham Regional Police Police Sergeant Paul Malik said the bandits managed to gain access to the Sco- tiabank's ATM vault early Saturday morning causing "minimal damage" to the branch at 340 Harwood Ave. S. Officers responded to an alarm call at 12:45 a.m., but the culprits made a clean getaway. A witness saw two masked men running running from the bank. Police believe the same suspects may be responsible responsible for a rash of recent ATM thefts in the region and across the Greater Toronto Area in recent weeks. "It appears they had some inside knowledge" of the ATM security system, Sgt. Malik said, refusing to reveal the amount of money stolen. 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