New province-wide electricity customer service rules take effect

TORONTO, Dec. 31 /CNW/ - A number of changes to the rules around bill issuance and payment, disconnections, and security deposits take effect on January 1, 2011.

The changes include:

• clarifying what the minimum payment period is, when a bill is deemed paid, and when late payment charges can be applied;
• clarifying notification processes distributors must use prior to disconnecting a customer;
• implementing standards for disconnection procedures; and
• clarifying standards around how security deposits are calculated and how security deposits are to be used.

These changes are part of a broader set of Board Code amendments to enhance customer service rules for residential customers and create common standards for electricity utilities across the province.

The amendments, announced on July 2, 2010, flow from a Board-initiated consultation process concerning how electricity distributors provide service to their customers.

For more information please refer to the customer service rules backgrounder at http://www.oeb.gov.on.ca/OEB/_Documents/Press+Releases/bckgrndr_dsc.pdf.

The Ontario Energy Board regulates the province's electricity and natural gas sectors in the public interest. It envisions a viable and efficient energy sector with informed consumers and works toward this vision through regulation that is effective, fair and transparent. 

For more information on the Board, please visit our web site at www.oeb.gov.on.ca or contact the Consumer Relations Centre at 416-314-2455 or toll-free at 1-877- 632-2727.

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For further information: For further information:

Media Inquiries			Public Inquiries
Paul Crawford			416-314-2455
Ontario Energy Board			Or 1-877-632-2727
416-544-5171