Ontario Energy Board accepts Assurance of Voluntary Compliance from Oshawa PUC Networks Inc.

The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) has accepted an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance (AVC) from licensed electricity distributor Oshawa PUC Networks Inc. (OPUC).

Under the terms of this AVC, OPUC acknowledges that a billing system error resulted in customers across all rate classes being charged more than certain OEB-approved charges. OPUC will pay an administrative monetary penalty of $10,000 and will provide a credit to its current customers.

More specifically, under the terms of this AVC, OPUC will provide a credit to current customers in an amount equivalent to four years of overcharges, totaling approximately $1,020,500. This will be paid through a one-time credit that will appear on customer bills within 90 days of the acceptance of this AVC by the OEB. At that time, OPUC will also provide an explanation to its customers in a form approved by the OEB. The billing system error that gave rise to the overcharging was fixed by OPUC for bills covering usage starting May 1, 2022.

Earlier this year, after a billing issue relating to the proration of certain charges came to the OEB’s attention, the OEB asked all electricity distributors to review their billing systems and advise the OEB if customers were being overcharged as a result of the same issue. OPUC reviewed its billing system and reported that it had been incorrectly prorating its fixed monthly charges and as a result overcharged its customers.

An AVC is a binding commitment by a regulated entity to take measures to rectify or prevent non-compliance. Failure to abide by the terms of an AVC can lead to enforcement action being taken by the OEB.

“All licensed electricity distributors must be rigorous in applying OEB-approved rates and calculating accurate billing amounts for their customers. Billing accuracy is foundational to customer trust and the OEB is assured that OPUC has fixed this billing issue.”

– Brian Hewson, Vice-President, Consumer Protection & Industry Performance

Additional Information and Resources

About the Ontario Energy Board

The OEB is the independent regulator of Ontario’s electricity and natural gas sectors. It protects the interests of consumers and supports the collective advancement of the people of Ontario. Its goal is to deliver public value through prudent regulation and independent adjudicative decision-making which contributes to Ontario’s economic, social and environmental development.

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