Hydro Sale

Monday, 10 February 2014 05:56

Councillor Plant says everyone needs to keep an open mind when it comes to the possibility of selling Woodstock Hydro to Hydro One.

Despite many publicized issues at Hydro One, a sale of Woodstock Hydro to the province may be inevitable.

That from City Councillor Paul Plant who says the province has the ultimate control of who their competition is, the City doesn't.

Plant says residents need to realize you don't pay for hydro, you pay for the distribution of it.

"There's a lot more wire running from the generator to the substation then there is from the substation to the house so the increases that are going to happen are going to happen whether they own us or not. Those increases for that last 2 percent or whatever of the line, they're being addressed in the deal. Will people be paying less? It could happen but for a very short period. Will they being paying more? Not initially."

Plant says there are a number things being discussed between the City and Hydro One that cannot be discussed publicly but he says the City isn't just looking at it because it's a significant windfall of money.

He says everyone needs to keep an open mind at this point.

"Is this inevitable? If it is, what is the best way to approach it and if we approach it from the stand point of selling the asset, what is the best long term interest for the community, the employees and for the residents and rate payers?"

Plant says he has been asking for proper documentation on the issue of service as discussions continue between the City and Hydro One.

"There are problems but they have how many million customers and how many problems do they have? The ombudsman is supposed to be apolitical, nonpartisan. Even if you are, if someone keeps throwing stones at you, you're going to get a little upset now and then. Certainly in terms of the service levels, I've heard some issues not from residents so much as contractors that they have to wait awhile."

Plant says there are ways that could be resolved through their agreement but says a deal is not set in stone.

Plant says due to the pending municipal election, a decision will likely be made before June of this year.