EPCOR Utilities Inc. officially took on ownership of the town’s electricity distribution this month.
The utility was formerly owned by the town and PowerStream and was known as Collus PowerStream Corp.
The sale of the utility has been in the works for about a year, with the final vote to sell Collus coming from council on Oct. 23, 2017.
The Ontario Energy Board had to approve the sale and some conditions and did so on Aug. 30, 2018.
“We are committed to making the transition to EPCOR as seamless as possible for our customers, and are pleased to welcome our new employees,” said Stephen Stanley, EPCOR Senior Vice President, Commercial Services. “We look forward to becoming a strong part of the communities we now proudly serve.”
Most customers received a letter in the mail recently from EPCOR to explain payment changes where necessary.
According to a press release issued by the town this afternoon (Oct. 3), all employees of Collus PowerStream have joined the EPCOR team.
“EPCOR will be an anchor in our community for years to come, as a safe and reliable electricity provider and outstanding citizen. We are very confident in EPCOR’s approach and its commitment to operational excellence,” said Town of Collingwood Mayor Sandra Cooper in the press release.
There are currently 17,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Collingwood, Stayner, Creemore, and Thornbury that will receive service from EPCOR now that the sale is finalized.
EPCOR is an Edmonton-based distribution company that has expanded throughout Canada and the United States.
The town has entered into a long-term lease with EPCOR for the existing building where Collus operated on Stewart Road.
According to a press release from the town issued in August, the town will receive between $12.5 million and $13 million from the sale of its remaining 50 per cent Collus shares and a contribution of $150,000 toward the Waterfront Master Plan.
For more on the sale, click here.
