Reflections from Crumbly Acres: hurricane Sandy

Showing posts with label hurricane Sandy. Show all posts

Friday, 2 November 2012

Electricity Prices Switch to Time-Of-Use-Prices November 1st

Yes, so they say. We contacted Hydro, after practicing running the dishwasher at night, doing laundry on weekends, and were told that rural customers, like us, are not part of this transition. We continue to have our bill as an 'estimate' until it is specifically read by Hydro personnel.

It is an interesting concept. Our kids have their water heater on a timer, for example. It heats the water overnight, with cheaper rates, and they seldom run out during the day.
It is more difficult for people our age and older, who cannot schedule particular activities after-hours.

For the frail or ill, those getting family, or paid professional caregiving during the daytime, they are unable to schedule their Activities of Daily Living (ADLS) at anything but during peak hours.

Ontario – Effective today, most Hydro One customers in our province will be on Time-of-Use (TOU) pricing and will be taking advantage of the benefits of their smart meter. As part of the Ontario Energy Board’s Regulated Price Plan, TOU electricity prices are reviewed and adjusted every six months if necessary.

Regulated Price Plan Time-of-Use Price:

For more information about Time-of-Use prices, visit our TOU section or the OEB's website.

That said, in the recent mess of Hurricane Sandy, our Hydro crews are going to the US to help out those States involved in clean-ups. A big issue for NYC is the lack of electricity.

Even after a power outage in Central and Southern Ontario post-Sandy, with 200,000 Hydro customers out, Hydro got customers up and going. They rallied for our neighbours to the south. I often see them climbing the poles, doing repairs, or upgrading equipment. I was there when they put in new poles around a Habitat Build in Muskoka. Very tricky work.

Lift it up, lift it waaaaay up!

The hydro pole is put into place. Then the supports are drilled and wires attached. I wonder if their moms know what they do?!

Thursday, 1 November 2012

The aftermath of Hurricane Sandy

Yesterday the wind and clouds were wicked.

The cloud cover is amazing. The storm was 1000km across. Whipping the winds counter-clockwise, the radar is very interesting.
While the US is in a terrible mess, there is much US-based coverage. Wawa was devasted by the Pre-Sandy storm. We cannot forget them.
Northern Ontario has had snow, too.
Wawa Now | News & Updates
The highway through Wawa is a major transportation route, home to many.

We had big winds and big rain in S.E. Ontario, but nothing like the rest of the continent. On Wednesday, Hallowe'en day, we drove into the city. These are photos taken between Ottawa and Carleton Place.