Manitobans won’t have to open their wallets any wider to pay for electricity – at least this year.
In what some called a surprise move, the Public Utilities Board (PUB) has rejected Manitoba Hydro’s application for a 3.95 per cent rate hike effective April 1, 2015.
Hydro also wanted to boost rates 3.95 per cent on April 1, 2016, but a decision on that will wait until May or June, according to the Winnipeg Sun.
Opposition politicians, who have been making hay of rapidly rising electricity bills, applauded the PUB’s ruling.
“We are pleased the PUB has taken the side of Manitobans who pay the bills for NDP waste,” said Hydro critic Ralph Eichler in a press statement. “We see Hydro as an asset owned by all Manitobans that must be managed thoughtfully and it appears the PUB agrees with us on this.”
