HORROR STORY #6

Dear Mr. Wakefield,

I to like yourself and many other Ontarians recently have received " a horrific Hydro Bill. Beyond comprehension really!

I received a phone call from them this morning informing me of my bill, at my camp, not residence was over $3500 dollars. They tried to explain to me this was because they have never read the meter at my camp since 2007. I have called in the meter reading several times over the past 3 years. What a croc this is!

Furthermore, the women from Hydro One Customer Service, Colleen, when asked why my meter was read last, she told me May 7th by someone from administration and my old meter was replaced on May 13, 2010. Shortly there after, I received my Statement, it was over $1,300 dollars!!!!!! I called to question the bill and the women said, if it is not paid by the 13th, "there will be an order to cut your power". So I paid it.

Today's bill, was insane and a shock to say the least. I don't know if this helps you or how I join your group or cause, but let me know.

-------------------

Hi. I have been following your blog for awhile now. I live in Northwestern Ont, in an area that has been hit hard by the recession, just like so many others. We are trying to bring attention to the rising hydro costs and was wondering what else we can do. We have had many people send letters to our MMP office (that was what we were told to do, to create a paper trail and get the ball rolling) We have created a facebook page were people have been sharing their stories. One person recieved a $1200 amortization bill (way more than their mortage payment). Families, and single mothers are scared of losing their children, because Hydro threatens to cut them off if they don't pay these big bills right away. So they are begging everyone they know for money so they don't lose their hydro, and have Children's Aid step in and take the children due to unfit living conditions. (no hydro)

Below is the link to the facebook page if you would like to check it out, and maybe give suggestions. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Join-the-fight-against-Hydro-1-rates/137968316227047

So I was wondering what else, and who else can we contact to get our plight noticed? You seemed to have been working on this for awhile now and any advice you can give me would be great. I was also thinking of contacting CBC and Global and explaining the story. Thanks in advance for any help, and I understand if you aren't able to get back to me due to time constraints.

----------------

Hi Richard, my friend Jacqui Laport sent me your email and website. I want to join in on whatever it takes to fix this. I am a single mom, big house, but all energy efficient and a ton of cash I have paid to do that, energy assessments and all. Went from 25% energy efficient to 78%. My kwh usage is generally around 300 to 500 per month. Two months ago they installed a smart meter, but havent started charging the peak hours as yet. I live in St. Thomas. My last bill was huge, and said I used 980 kwh. I called and they said oh its because its been hot, in July 2008 you used 720 kwh. I gave them that I guess, what do I know. I told them that yes I do use air, but I keep it hight like 76 or 77 to keep the bills down. there is just my son and myself. This month though, the kwh went to 1290! Its more than doubled, and its only since they have put this thing on. I can not afford my hydro!!!!! and I need your help.

----------------

I would like to be added to a list of people being ripped off. I have been paying double for two years. I though it was the energy my tenants were using. I have not had tenants for two months, bills were the same.

Did not change anything with my consumption or appliances, with new meter installed went from 66 kWh per day to 27.

When they checked my meter they said it was good. I demanded it to be checked in a lab.

I hope something can be done

----------------

Richard

I would like to thank you for your blog, and all your hard work keeping all of us informed. Richard I have just recieved my hydro bill from Enersource in Mississauga Ontario. My bill is billed every 65 days, I was shocked, angry and more angry with my recent bill, which was more than double my normal bill. My average bill is about $96 without taxes, this recent bill was at $223 without taxes. I understand all variables involved, yes it has been a very hot and humid summer thus far, yes I understand Dalton Mcliar HST included, and yes u understand my rate as of May 1 as risen from 5.6 cents to 6.5 for first 600kwh and 7.5 kWh thereafter. My usage for this past month was 1806kwh, where as a normal month usages varies from 600 kWh to 710kwh. Sure I have had the odd month in winter where I would be at 1002 kWh max. Therefore I am lost to how this month has been so much consumption, I have never come close to that usage in the 2 years I have been living here, I live in a condo townhome aproxx 1510 sq ft. Richard can you advise me on how to approach Enersource, and as well what more history do you need in order to proceed with your plans of action.

Thank You

-----------------------

DEAR MR. WAKEFIELD,

I READ YOUR BLOG AND WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON MY EXPERIENCE WITH HYDRO ONE.I ALSO LIVE IN KOMOKA AND MOVED HERE LAST YEAR INTO A SENIOR APT.COMPLEX,SMART METERS ALREADYIN HERE AS IT'S A NEW BUILDING.I LIVE IN A 1 BEDROOM NO LARGER THAN 600,SQUARE FT.,IT'S VERY SMALL.MY 1ST HYDRO BILL CAME 14 DAY'S AFTER I MOVED IN,IT WAS OVER 30.00 FOR THOSE 14 DAY'S,I CALLEDBUT LIKE EVERYONE ELSE I GET THE RUN AROUND.I HAVE NOW LIVED HERE 1 YR.AND 2 MONTHS AND MY HYDRO BILL HAS GONE UP TO THE PHENOMANAL PRICE OF 100.00 AMONTH THE LATEST ONE.THERE ARE 10,2 BEDROOM AND 10 1 BEDROOM,I AM PAYING THE MOST HYDRO OUT OF ALL 20.I HAVE EVERYTHING UNPLUGGED JUST APPLIANCES AND T.V.ARE PLUGGED IN,I NEVER TURN ON LIGHTS AS THEY HURT MY EYESJUST NECESSARY USAGE WHEN I NEED IT.IS THERE A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT GOING ON OR IS THERE ANYTHING BEING DONE ABOUT HYDRO ONE'SEXORBITANT BILLS,I HAVE READ MORE HORROR STORIES ON THE NET AND AM AFRAID I'M GOING TO GETONE OF THOSE 10OO,OO OR 2000,00 DOLLAR BILLS,OR EVEN 8OO,00 BEING ON A FIXED INCOME I WOULDHAVE TO DO WITHOUT HYDRO,OR NOT PAY RENT,OR CANCEL CABLE AND PHONE,THAT'S HOW TIGHT MY SITUATION ISWHAT IS GOING ON NOW ABOUT LOOKING INTO THESE SMART METERS?