Changes are in effect on your electricity, natural gas, water and sewer bills for 2017. Review this article to learn more and view all current utility rates.

Changes to your electricity bill

Several changes will take effect on your electricity bill in 2017. The total monthly bill impact for a typical residential customer (consuming 750 kWh per month) is a decrease of -$6.52 or -4.63 per cent.

Eight per cent government rebate

As of January 1, 2017, the Government of Ontario is introducing an eight per cent rebate under the Ontario Rebate for Electricity Consumers Act, 2016 equal to the provincial portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax on the bills of residential, farm, small business and other eligible customers.

This eight per cent rebate will start to appear on eligible electricity bills that reflect services received on or after January 1, 2017. Residential and small business customers will automatically be enrolled for the rebate.

Industrial, commercial, and institutional customers may also qualify for the rebate and should review our electricity rebate page to learn more.

Distribution rates

Kingston Hydro filed an application (EB-2016-0087) to implement the second year of its approved custom incentive rate-setting framework covering the period 2016-2020, for rates effective January 1, 2017. A final rate order was issued by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) on December 29, 2016.

For residential and small business customers, distribution charges roll up into the ‘Delivery’ line on the electricity bill, along with pass-through charges such as retail transmission and line loss. Distribution charges, as well as some pass-through charges within the ‘Delivery’ line, have changed. A typical residential customer with an average 750 kWh monthly consumption will see a $2.66 increase on the ‘Delivery’ line of their monthly bill.

Out of every dollar we collect from our customers, 19 cents stays local to operate and maintain the local electricity distribution system. The other 81 cents is paid to provincial entities. The distribution rate change applies to our 19 cent portion.

Rural and Remote Electricity Rate Protection

This rate offsets the higher cost of providing service to consumers in rural and remote areas of Ontario. All electricity ratepayers contribute to this. For residential and small business customers, this charge rolls up into the ‘Regulatory’ line on your electricity bill.

This rate will increase January 1, 2017. Residential customers with an average 750 kWh monthly consumption will see a 62 cent increase on their monthly bill.

Changes to water and wastewater bills

On February 3, 2015, the council of the City of Kingston approved the four-year rate schedules for the water and wastewater utilities (read more). In 2017, the average monthly water/wastewater residential bill will increase by 2.2 per cent or $1.95.

Changes to natural gas bills

Ontario government's cap and trade program takes effect January 1. As approved by the council of the City of Kingston, cap and trade will initially add about 3.5 cents per cubic metre of gas to your natural gas bill in 2017. Learn more.

Trouble paying your utility bill? We can help

For customers who are having difficulties paying their utility bills, Utilities Kingston has several ways to help. We work closely with social agencies in Kingston to offer assistance and ease the burden of paying utility bills for low-income individuals and families in our local community, while helping to ensure we can continue to provide utility services to their homes.

If you, or someone you know, are having difficulties paying utility bills, please review our article on this topic.