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Midwestern

Ontario launches pilot program to lower energy costs for small and medium businesses

The Ontario government is launching a new pilot program which could lower electricity bills for small and medium-sized businesses.

The province wants to offer dynamic electricity pricing for retail stores, offices, and farms.

Energy Minister Todd Smith says helping to save businesses money should boost the economy and create jobs.

The pilots will test alternate pricing structures which would give participants incentive to shift electricity consumption to hours where electricity demand is low.

Small and medium-sized businesses, farms, and community centres that are included in the Class B electricity rate class and don’t have access to time-of-use or tiered rates may be eligible to participate in the new pilot program.

Ontario's Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) will partner with the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) on the project. The OEB plans to open applications for the program by the end of 2022.

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