Friends, council’s decision: to merge or not to merge- may be the most significant issue this term. In my view there is still a lot more awareness-raising to be done before the vote on December 13th… I urge you to check this opportunity for input out… and feel free to send me your views in advance of the meeting. I also urge you to consider a 5-minute delegation in support of your position. You have until the Friday at 10 am to notify [email protected] that you’d like to appear before council at our 6:30 meeting on the 13th. Thanks, James
New date: Facebook Live discussion about Guelph Hydro merger December 7
After more than a year of industry research, in-depth financial analysis, and community input, Guelph City Council is considering a merger between Guelph Hydro Electric Systems and Alectra.
We want to hear from you again as City Council prepares to make its decision on December 13.
Facebook Live Thursday,December 7, 6 p.m.
Visit the City’s Facebook Page on Thursday, December 7 at 6 p.m. and post your questions and comments during the live discussion with:
· Derrick Thomson, City of Guelph chief administrative officer
· Pankaj Sardana, Guelph Hydro chief executive officer
City Council meeting Wednesday, December 13, 6:30 p.m.
Guelph City Council will hear delegations and make its final decision about the proposed merger during an open meeting as the shareholder of Guelph Hydro..
To speak to Guelph City Council during the meeting, please register by Friday, December 8, 2017.
About the proposed Guelph Hydro-Alectra merger
Local ownership and dividends
Next year, in addition to its regular annual dividend, Guelph Hydro would pay the City a special dividend of $18.5 million.
Over the next 20 years, dividends payable to the City would be $10 million more than than they would be if Guelph Hydro continued operating alone.
The City would receive a 4.63% ownership interest in Alectra. Guelph would receive one permanent seat on Alectra’s board of directors and have the right to appoint an independent director. Learn more about who owns Alectra
The Guelph Hydro brand would be used for one year following the merger.
Electricity distribution rates
Electricity distribution rates are not expected to go down after a merger, but they wouldn’t go up as much as they would if the City maintained full ownership of Guelph Hydro.
Guelph and Rockwood customers would avoid an estimated 5% distribution rate increase in 2021, and another estimated 5% increase in 2026, and would also benefit from the savings expected from consolidating the two companies. Learn more about electricity distribution rates
Service and reliability
Alectra would meet or exceed service standards and reliability for electricity distribution customers in Guelph and Rockwood.
Protection from privatization
Alectra is 97% municipally-owned, with the remaining 3% owned by a subsidiary of OMERS (Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System). Alectra’s existing unanimous shareholders’ agreement is the result of extensive negotiation among its shareholders, none of whom planned to privatize.
Provisions in Alectra’s unanimous shareholder agreement, tax disincentives, and the municipal character of its shareholders are all protections against future privatization of the utility.
Green Energy & Technology Centre
Alectra would establish the Green Energy & Technology Centre at Guelph Hydro’s current location. The centre would be a platform for accelerating and integrating new and emerging energy technologies and help prepare Guelph’s local utility company to address Ontario’s changing energy landscape, and the global energy transformation already underway.
The GRE&T Centre would employ eight to ten people, and Alectra would invest $5 million in capital to convert parts of Guelph Hydro’s existing headquarters into demonstration areas, laboratories or showrooms. It would invest an additional $3 million annually to fund pilot projects, demonstrations, salaries, administration, marketing, and partnerships.
Jobs
Guelph Hydro’s current location would become a Southwest Operations Centre for at least 10 years.
Guelph Hydro employs about 130 people. Approximately 30 positions are expected to be addressed through attrition, voluntary retirement or voluntary separation, whenever possible. An equal number of positions would be offered relocation opportunities within Alectra starting in 2019, with the majority of moves occurring in 2020 and 2022.
Guelph Hydro employees will be treated equitably and with respect. Fair programs will be developed to support employees should they wish to transition from the organization voluntarily.
Ontario Energy Board approval
The merger would be submitted to the Ontario Energy Board for approval. Among other things, the board would have to be satisfied that the merger would not cause harm to consumers with respect to price; and adequacy, reliability and quality of electricity service.
Resources
City Council report and presentation for December 13 meeting
Energizing Tomorrow community survey results
Energizingtomorrow.ca: community questions and comments
About Alectra Utilities (print-friendly pdf)
Learn more. Ask us anything.
energizingtomorrow.ca
519-822-1260 extension 3481
[email protected]