Energy board proposes stray voltage changes

TORONTO — The Ontario Energy Board has made proposed changes to how it handles stray voltage concerns on farms.

The proposed changes come one year after the energy board began consulting with affected farmers, such as Francois Cayer, of St. Albert, who says stray voltage has cost his dairy operation $1-million.

Interested parties have until Dec. 5 to submit comments to changes to the Distribution System Code. The proposed amendments would require electricity distributors to:

"Investigate farm stray voltage complaints using professionally qualified persons and they must follow a specified investigation procedure."

"Where a distribution system is found to contribute to stray voltage on a farm in excess of a specified threshold, the distributor must take steps to reduce stray voltage to acceptable pre-set levels.

Distributors serving livestock farm customers must prepare and make available a farm stray voltage ‘customer response procedure’ that sets out the process for responding to farm stray voltage inquiries and complaints from customers."

To comment on the proposed changes, go to website www.oeb.gov.on.ca or call 1-877-632-2727.