WALKERTON – Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron-Bruce, and Bill Walker, MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, joined Energy Minister Todd Smith and Westario Power officials on Friday, Feb. 25 at the Best Western Plus in Walkerton for a preview of the new Green Button data that will allow families and businesses across Huron, Bruce and Grey counties to track and control their energy use and save money on monthly bills.
Smith opened by making a brief statement about what’s happening in the Ukraine.
“Everyone is thinking about Ukraine, including Premier Ford,” he said.
He then spoke proudly of the energy initiative that promises greater control and savings for users.
“Consumers felt helpless as they watched their bills soar. The gauntlet was dropped in November, and Jenny (Alfandary, president and CEO of Westario) was quick to take up the challenge,” said Smith.
“Families and businesses want to be in the driver’s seat when it comes to their energy bills. Green Button is part of our commitment to give consumers more choice when it comes to their energy use and will enable easy, quick and secure access to their consumption data through smartphone or computer apps so they can find customized tips to reduce energy use or switch electricity price plans to save money.”
“I’m pleased to announce that Green Button is coming to homes and businesses across our region,” said Thompson. “Giving local consumers access to their real-time energy consumption data means they can take immediate steps to reduce their energy usage, reduce their environmental footprint and save money all at the same time.”
“I congratulate the Westario team on being an early adopter of Ontario’s Green Button technology. Access to energy data will empower local consumers to monitor and manage their energy usage, make smarter decisions and reduce their monthly bills,” said Walker.
He commended Smith, Thompson and their team, saying, “They’re doing a fabulous job,” and he spoke of “more good things to come.”
“Many families and businesses are looking for ways to reduce energy costs,” said Randy Pettapiece, MPP for Perth-Wellington. “This initiative will give them another tool to do that.”
Green Button provides access to energy data, which, combined with smart home devices, can help consumers achieve substantial energy savings of up to 18 per cent, according to a press release. Ontario becomes the first province in Canada to mandate the standard.
Said Alfandary, “Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone at Westario Power. We made a strong commitment to modernizing our business and in creating a solution that empowers consumer choice, customers can reduce electricity costs so they can put their hard-earned money to work for them. Small and large businesses will also be able to use their consumption data to make strategic decisions focused on reducing costs and driving revenue.”
George Bridge, chair of the Westario board of directors, commented, “This is really good… our residents are going to get a really good thing happening.”
Teresa Sarkesian, president and CEO, Electricity Distributors Association, was present to offer her congratulations on “a significant milestone” that will help reduce both consumption and costs.
Brockton Mayor Chris Peabody, one of several local municipal leaders present for the announcement, said, “This is exciting news for the people of Brockton and Elmwood… people can save energy by combining their own smart home devices with consumption data.”
“Tracking energy use will allow people to use less, which will save them money and be better for the environment,” said Luke Charbonneau, mayor of Saugeen Shores. “It’s good for ratepayers all around.”
The press release stated that implementation of the Green Button standard comes as the Ontario government celebrates one year of providing consumers with Customer Choice rates. As of Nov. 1, 2020, most families, small businesses, and farms could select either a time-of-use (TOU) or tiered billing for their electricity usage. Over the past year, more than 280,000 Ontario electricity customers have used this choice to better manage their electricity bills by switching their pricing plan to one that is a better fit. Green Button gives families and businesses the information they need to better understand their energy use so they can make an informed decision on which price plan is right for them, helping them to lower their energy bills.
Green Button first became available in 2012, and prior to the new regulatory requirement. Offering it to customers was voluntary in Ontario for electricity and natural gas utilities. In 2015, London Hydro became the first Ontario utility to provide Green Button to their customers. Since its launch, 160,000 electricity and 106,000 water London Hydro customers have utilized Green Button.
Energy customers in Ontario who are served by utilities that have fully implemented Green Button have access to a wide range of applications that are tailored to their individual needs. As more utilities in Ontario implement Green Button, new applications are expected to be developed to serve all types of customers, including residential, commercial, and industrial energy users.
About Westario Power Inc.
Westario Power Inc. is community owned, supplying electricity to the communities of Clifford, Elmwood, Hanover, Harriston, Kincardine, Lucknow, Mildmay, Neustadt, Palmerston, Port Elgin, Ripley, Southampton, Teeswater, Walkerton and Wingham.
