The proposal also asks for a rate increase of 0.5 this year and 4.8 next year
Hydro One is considering allowing its customers to use pre-paid meters for their electricity use.
The proposal is contained within a massive Ontario Energy Board application, which also asks for a rate increase of 0.5% this year and 4.8% next year.
The application says the pre-paid meters would minimize Hydro One's financial risk by requiring customers to pay for energy before using it, in particular for customers who are deemed to be a high collection risk.
But Hydro One's Executive Vice President of Customer Care and Corporate Affairs says it would not be used as a collection tool.
Ferio Pugliese says if the OEB allows Hydro One to move forward with pre-paid meters, they would be offered to customers as a choice and wouldn't be forced upon anyone.
He also says, despite language in Hydro One's application, that customers would not be disconnected once their pre-payment ran out.
- with files from the Canadian Press