Advertisement

Ontario to require electricity, natural gas utility companies to give customers their data

File photo. Hydro lines. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

LONDON, Ont. — Ontario’s energy minister says that within the next two years most electricity and natural gas customers will get access to their usage data to help them save on their bills.

Todd Smith announced Monday that the province will require nearly all regulated Ontario electricity and natural gas utilities to enact the Green Button standard in 24 months.

That lets customers download their natural gas and hourly electricity data and authorize its transfer to apps that can analyze it and provide tips to reduce consumption and save money.

Smith says Ontario will become the first province in Canada to mandate the standard.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Green Button became available in 2012, but has not been mandatory.

Story continues below advertisement

London Hydro was the first Ontario utility to provide the data in 2015, and since then 160,000 electricity customers have used it.

Click to play video: 'Coronavirus: Ontario hydro rate cap ending'
Coronavirus: Ontario hydro rate cap ending

Sponsored content

AdChoices