Keep electricity rates steady, says Summerside business

The Summerside electric utility should not follow along with Maritime Electric's planned rate increase, says the Summerside Chamber of Commerce.

Maritime Electric, P.E.I.'s main electrical utility, will increase rates by 2.2 per cent this month. Summerside Electric generally follows Maritime Electric rates, but the local business community wants the utility to reconsider.

"That's a potential opportunity for the city to attract new businesses, if they were to have more attractive rates for incoming businesses," said chamber president Mark O'Keefe.

"The existing businesses in the community would also benefit."

Deputy mayor Bruce MacDougall said there's been no talk from council to forego the increase, even though it does have the power to say no.

"We would all love a reduction, but then again you've got to look at the city, and what's good for the city, what's good for the utility," said MacDougall.

It would be unfair, added MacDougall, to the 600 Summerside resident who are served by Maritime Electric to have different rates.

Any movement away from Maritime Electric rates would have to be approved by council, said MacDougall.

For mobile device users: Should Summerside Electric keep its rates in line with Maritime Electric's?