Hydro Debate

Thursday, 15 May 2014 at 05:36

Over 300 Tillsonburg residents came out Wednesday night to discuss the future of hydro in the town.

TILLSONBURG -- A public meeting Wednesday night looked at reasons for and against selling or merging Tillsonburg Hydro with another utility.

The locally owned utility has been rumoured to be on the selling block since the Ministry of Energy in 2012 recommended a province-wide consolidation of local electricity companies, all part of an effort to improve cost-effectiveness and efficiency in the energy sector.

The crowd of over 300 who attended heard speeches over two plus hours on the future of what is one of the town's last remaining public assets.

Deputy Mayor Mark Renaud says council knows it's a burning issue in the community. Renaud, who has experience on Tillsonburg Hydro's board, recalled a common question from Wednesday's remarks -- "Is having a bigger utility serving a smaller community like Tillsonburg better?"

"It's something that I presented to the Ontario Energy Board back in 2004 when I said bigger isn't better. I think the people of Tillsonburg understand that, they have some to rely upon our energy system. They know what if there's ever a power outage, it's turned back on right away, it's very good customer service -- and because of that, they're somewhat shy about a merger or a sale."

Renaud says Tillsonburg Town Council doesn't have the moral authority to merge or sell Tillsonburg Hydro with an election coming up in the fall.

Some of those who spoke Wednesday evening included representatives from Erth Corporation, Tillsonburg Chamber of Commerce, and board members of Tillsonburg Hydro.

Councillor Marty Klein says he's been to a number of public meetings like Wednesday's and says whenever the issue involves something major which the public feels they have some ownership in -- people will turn out...

"This is one of the last remaining assets that this community owns and the people that are in this room tonight are the owners. I think it would be a little bit presumptuous of us to say, '...Well, you elected us, we'll make the decision, -- So I think we have to listen to them, and that's a big piece of the puzzle."

One of the scheduled speakers was former Tillsonburg Mayor Cam McKnight, who cautioned council against selling the local utility, saying even today, small can compete with big, and it almost always means better customer service.

Mayor Dave Beres says the turnout was on par with his expectations, and no matter what side of the issue speakers were on, everyone had the best interests of the community at heart.

"We're very pleased to see over 300 people attend tonight. The cross section of comments were pro, there were some con, there were some sales people, some people here in development that wanted to talk about how important it is to sustain the future of their development by working closer with their utilities."

Beres says Town staff will follow up Wednesday's meeting with a report to council on June 23rd.