Local Chamber among group wanting province to curb power costs

The Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce is among a number of similar organizations calling on the province to tackle the issue of high electricity rates.  The reaction comes with the release of a report from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce that makes a few recommendations that government and energy agencies can do to lower energy costs and keeping businesses here.  In addition, opinion research done by the Leger group suggests that 81 percent of those Ontarians polled feel higher energy prices will affect the provincial economy and their own disposable income.  The figure rose to 90 percent who felt that way in Northern Ontario. In a release, chamber President Monica Dale mentioned that the rising cost of electricity long-term will add to the cost of doing business in Ontario.  She adds that the economy will suffer should those businesses leave the province for that reason.  Dale says electricity rates are important to the local economy and many Chamber businesses, adding several key industries are from the manufacturing sector.  This means that electricity accounts for a large part of production, resulting in huge production costs. Recommendations made in the report from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce include keeping the Debt Retirement Charge on residential bills until it has been retired and improving the transparency of electricity pricing and system cost drivers.  Another key suggestion made in the document is that the province should not  import hydroelectric power from Quebec to replace nuclear generation.  The report is online at www.ssmcoc.com.