THUNDER BAY, ON  –--  October 17, 2009  ---   The Ontario Energy Board has released the electricity commodity prices that will take effect on November 1, 2009. The new Regulated Price Plan (RPP) tiered prices will increase by 0.1 cent per kilowatt hour (kWh) to:

•  5.8 cents per kilowatt hour up to the first 1000 kWh per month
•  6.7 cents per kWh for monthly consumption above that threshold

The impact will be minimized because the increase will take place at the same time that
the winter threshold is implemented. From November 1 to April 30, RPP consumers
can use up to 1,000 kWh per month at the lower price instead of the 600 kWh per
month that is applied during the summer season. However, compared to last winter’s
rates, a residential household using 1,000 kWh per month will see an increase of $2.00.

Regulated Price Plan prices are reviewed semi-annually, in November and May. This
cost is found on the “electricity” line on residential consumer bills. Costs for electricity
are set by the province and passed on by Thunder Bay Hydro without any mark-up.

This only applies to consumers who buy their electricity from the province as opposed to
through a retailer.