Rebates coming for Summerside power users

Reimbursement will apply to first 2,000 kilowatt-hours of usage

Summerside’s residential power customers will receive a refund on household electricity from the province.

A 10 per cent rebate will be applied to the first block – 2,000 kilowatts-hours – of electricity for the Summerside utility’s residential customers.

Effective July 16, the rebate was part of the plan laid out in the province’s 2018-19 operating budget. Government officals say it is intended to make it more affordable for Islanders to use lowcarbon energy sources.

Summerside Mayor Bill Martin said the city looks forward to residents sharing in the tangible benefits of the rebate.

“As a leader in smart energy solutions,” Martin said, “Summerside welcomes the provincial rebate as a down-to-earth component of big-picture energy thinking.

“This vision includes action on climate change, a transition to a low-carbon economy, energy efficiency support, and development of clean energy technologies.”

The rebate matches others announced for Maritime Electric residential customers. Other rebates came into effect on firewood May 14 and on July 1 for propane and wood pellets.

The electricity rebate is being implemented in conjunction with other climate change initiatives.

“Our province is committed to reducing energy use, and to reducing the impact of the energy we do use. These rebates help to move us in the right direction,” Energy Minister Paula Biggar said. “New rebates on electrical power will provide savings to Island homes while encouraging people to use electricity as a green power source.”

The rebate will continue for up to four years, which will help to encourage Islanders to seek-out cleaner energy that lowers the province’s carbon emissions.

For more information visit: princeedwardisland.ca/energyrebate or email energyrebate@gov. pe.ca.