March 2006 - Plumbing & HVAC

Industry NewsOnt. energy boardorders end togas bill monopolyBy Ron ShukerHVAC/R industry gatheringThe Ontario HVAC Coalition hasachieved a significant victory in itslong-running campaign to endexclusive access to the Enbridge Inc.natural gas utility bill in Ontario byDirect Energy Essential Home Services.In its decision released Feb. 9, theOntario Energy Board stated: “… aspart of its 2007 rates case (in the fall of2006), Enbridge must either come forwardwith a complete proposal regardingthird party access or it must set outhow it intends to ensure that its billingis separated from the billing of (DirectEnergy) by no later than Jan. 1, 2007.”The dispute centres around DirectEnergy’s exclusive ability to promote andbill for its HVAC services and equipmentin the Enbridge natural gas bill.While mildly disappointed that theBoard did not require immediatechanges, the coalition is pleased that theOEB went further in its decision thanexpected, requiring a complete separationof the bills.“We’re happy with the outcome andwe’ll just have to wait and see howEnbridge responds,” remarkedCoalition manager Martin Luymes.He added that Enbridge or DirectEnergy, or both, may still appeal thisdecision to the Ontario DivisionalCourt of Appeal. They have previouslyargued that the OEB does not havejurisdiction in this issue. The courtrejected that view in September, 2004.In its presentation to the OEB last fallthe Coalition had asked that either allinterested parties be allowed to includeCANADIAN COPPER & BRASSDEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATIONToll Free: 1-877-640-0946Fax: 416-391-3823E-mail: coppercanada@onramp.caWeb site: www.coppercanada.capromotional materials with the gas bill,or that access be restricted.Among its recommendations, theCoalition had urged that, “if (DirectEnergy) is not removed from the bill,then there should be restrictions, namelyremoving the logo, restricting thetext, moving its section to a less prominentplace, ending bill inserts, and providinga disclaimer regarding the relationshipbetween Enbridge and DirectEnergy Essential Home Services.”“We did not expect them to ask for acomplete separation. We thought thatthey would possibly order Enbridge totake out of the bill anything that wasn’tutility information,” reported Luymes.Practice must end: OEBHowever, in its decision the Board stated:“Under the current arrangements,Direct Energy will continue to haveeffectively exclusive access (to the gasbill). This is not appropriate and mustnot continue.“The Board does agree that any billaccess which is provided should be on anon-discriminatory basis, because theaccess is linked with the provision of aregulated service, namely the billing ofutility services.” The Coalition has beenpursuing the issue for the five years thatDirect Energy has enjoyed the exclusivearrangement. At the beginning of thehearing, Enbridge announced that theyhad extended the agreement for a furtherthree years.The Coalition’s long-term goal hasbeen to gain access to the gas bill forIn an age when renewable resources have never been more crucial, copperhas long been a leader.Copper has been used for more than 10,000 years, and it’s 100% recyclable.Virtually all products made from copper can be recycled. One of the mosthighly-visible uses of recycled copper is copper plumbing tube. So much sothat copper plumbing tube produced in Canada today is made upof more than 70% of recycled copper.Copper tube and fittings have provided dependable servicefor more than 70 years, and it’s estimated that over30 billion feet have been installed in plumbing systemsin houses and other buildings in North America.Contact us today for more information on copperplumbing systems.third parties, such as HVAC contractors,actively involved in the sale of naturalgas appliances.Enbridge has suggested that it mightchange its position. At last fall’s OEBhearings the utility indicated “that itwas supportive of providing access tothe (gas utility) bill for third parties.”However, it also made it clear that thesechanges would not take place for threeyears and that Direct Energy wouldcontinue its exclusive arrangement duringthat time.The OEB wasn’t certain that this wasa good idea and essentially left it up toEnbridge to make the case. “While theremay be benefits in terms of facilitatingthe purchase, financing or renting ofCopper... The Green ChoiceIt’s Old. It’s New. It’s Copper.Over 50,000 people packed the aisles at the AHR Expo in Chicago inJanuary. Please see our article on page 11.gas appliances, there may be adverseconsequences arising from customerconfusion,” the board reported.MandatorybackflowpreventionurgedSeveral groups and companies havebeen lobbying for years to makebackflow prevention and backflowvalve inspection mandatory in theOntario Plumbing Code. OntarioPlumbing Inspectors Association presidentDan Devlin told the group’s annualconference that “we have set up a taskgroup with just about everybody in thewater business” over the years to achievesuch a mandatory program. He has alsoattended meetings with the OntarioMinistry of the Environment and theMinistry of Municipal Affairs andHousing to press for such a program.“However, a serious cross-connectionwater contamination outbreak inStratford that affected many homes andbusinesses finally has government officialsactively looking at our proposal,”he told P&HVAC. The ministry hashired a consultant to review backflowprograms across Canada and in theU.S. to act as a guide to future decisions.“This is as close as I have seen toachieving this goal,” Devlin said.The Ontario Backflow PreventionAssociation held its annual educationalconference at the Region of Haltonoffices Nov. 16. The Ontario WaterWorks Association also has an activecross-connection control committee,reports Doug Dyer of Watts Industries.Circle Number 107 for More Information6 Plumbing & HVAC Product News – February/March 2006 www.plumbingandhvac.ca