Facts you need to know about the new Ottawa River Power Corporation to help you make a well-informed decision

1. You don't have to switch

You now have the power to choose whether to rely on Ottawa River Power Corporation for your electricity supply, or to switch to one of the new electricity retailers licensed by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB). If you decide to switch now, signed contracts will take effect when the market officially opens up to competition (currently delayed due to Jim Wilson Minister of Energy).

It's your choice. There are no deadlines for switching and it will always be your option, not your obligation. So take the time to make informed choices.

2. Even if you do switch, we still deliver.

It doesn't matter whether you buy our standard supply electricity service, or you choose a licensed retailer for your electricity supply – Ottawa River Power Corporation will still distribute electricity directly to your home or business.

3. Rest assured that if something goes wrong – like a power outage – we're still here for you.'

We still own and maintain our local distribution wires, and we're responsible for ensuring safe, reliable delivery of your electricity.  So if you need us, you continue to call us at the same emergency phone.

4. The rate you pay for electricity delivery is regulated, regardless of which electricity retailer you choose.

In the new competitive marketplace, you can choose from a variety of retailers who may be offering you competitive pricing packages, as well as other products and services.  Or you can continue to buy your electricity supply from us at established regulated rates.  Regardless of your choice, we will still be responsible for delivering your electricity supply to you and charging you for that delivery service, as regulated by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB).

Questions

Q: Why the change in the electricity marketplace?

A: Quite simply, deregulation of the electricity industry breaks down the old electricity monopoly for the generation, transmission, distribution and retailing of electricity in Ontario. Companies that want to offer you a competing price for your electricity supply are free to do so.  This gives consumers that option, without compromising safe and reliable delivery of electricity to their homes or businesses.

*Your current bill is based on rates that had been established with all electricity service costs bundled together.  They appear as a monthly service charge and an energy charge calculated on your energy consumption.  This will change when the electricity market opens up to competition. At that time, your electricity service, and the rates you pay for them, will be 'unbundled' appearing as separate charges on your bill. 

Q:What does Ottawa River Power Corporation do?

A: We deliver your electricity, service your connection to our distribution system, and read your meter.  If you experience a power outage or emergency, you continue to call us.

Q:What services don't you provide?

A: Under the new rules set by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), we can only provide services related to electricity delivery. That means we are no longer permitted to provide equipment rentals such as water heaters or sell you home utility products. These will become the responsibilities of our sister company, Ottawa River Energy Solutions Inc.

Q: Why don't you offer these services anymore?

A: The OEB has directed all distributing utilities in the province to separate out services that will be regulated from those that will not be regulated. As a result, Ottawa River Power Corporation is only allowed to provide services related to electricity delivery

Q:Which services are unregulated and open to competition?

A: Unregulated services include electricity supply through licensed electricity retailers: water heater rental: power quality, street lighting, and home services are now open to competition.

Here's what you should know about

ELECTRICITY RETAILERS.

Electricity retailers may soon be competing to sell you your electricity. These new companies will be licensed by the Ontario Energy Board and are required to follow the OEB's Code of Conduct for Electricity Retailers.

Before you make a decision, become an informed consumer. Read all contracts before signing and don't give anyone your Ottawa River Power Corporation account number unless you are intending to contract with them to sell you electricity.

New electricity retailers may offer you competitive pricing packages, as well as other home utility products or services. Or you can continue to buy your electricity supply from us at regulated rates and service levels set by the OEB.

Remember, you don't have to switch, unless you want to. Selecting a new electricity retailer is an option, not an obligation. And even if you decide to switch Ottawa River Power will continue to deliver your electricity.