MONTREAL - Hydro Quebec customers might have dodged a bullet with the Energy Board's decision Thursday to reduce rates by 0.5 percent but they could be under fire soon for the cost of new meters.
Hydro's request for a 1.7 percent increase was shot down but they had also filed in August for a separate hike to recoup the cost of installing new metres.
The hearings on how the new meters will be paid begin March 19.
Consumers can expect to be charged in one way or another for that technological upgrade in the next cost review.
The new meters can be read remotely, which has caused much objections among Hydro-Quebec unions, who see it costing jobs.
The union will be unveiling a study Monday which promises to demonstrate that the new meters are not cost effective.
