TORONTO — The Ontario Energy Board has elected to receive written submissions, rather than conducting an oral hearing into the proposed merger of the two largest municipal electrical utilities in northwestern Ontario.
An OEB spokesperson says it has told Thunder Bay Hydro and Kenora Hydro to submit their final arguments in writing on Oct.11, after which the OEB Panel will begin its decision-making process.
The utilities had expected a decision on their proposal by the end of September.
Mary Ellen Beninger of the OEB told Tbnewswatch that the board required further information "to supplement the original filing of the application" but there have been no "significant" delays in the process.
Beninger said the OEB still expects to announce its decision this fall.
A Thunder Bay Hydro spokesperson says "it's generally a good sign" for applicants when the OEB decides an oral hearing is not required.
The two utilities have said a merger will make them more efficient, ultimately benefiting their customers.
If the amalgamation goes ahead, the new utility company will be about 91 per cent owned by Thunder Bay, with Kenora owning the remainder.
