October 15, 2002




Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology
Office of the Minister
Hearst Block
900 Bay Street
Toronto, ON
M7A 2E1

Attention: Honourable John Baird, Minister of Energy

Dear Minister Baird:

Re:  Power Costs in Ontario

On behalf of all of the customers in Ontario, especially those of the Ottawa River Power Corporation, we wish to express our appreciation to you and your government for the prompt action in the reduction of power costs.

As of your announcement at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 2002, power costs were reduced to 2.92 cents. Unfortunately, the rates did not remain at this low rate.  The rate, once again, rose to over 6 cents/kWh the following morning.

One competitive small General Service bill, prior to December, 2002, has risen from $322.00 per month to $453.00 per month.  This is an increase of over 40%.

This situation is far from being resolved. In 2003, the utilities are still being faced with extra charges, sanctioned by the Government (i.e. Electrical Safety Association, new low voltage charges).  These charges were never in existence before.

Our customers are demanding an answer to this question, "Where are the lower rates?"

I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,




Murray L. Moore
President

MLM/mtd

Cc:  Sean Conway, MPP
       Honorable Norm Sterling
       Charlie Macaluso, CEO, EDA
       Howard Hampton, Leader of the NDP
       Canadian Federation of Independent Business
       Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)     
       Pembroke Daily Observer, Almonte Gazette
       Eganville Leader, Cobden Sun