| With Vid: Essex County power failures spark anger, confusion Ed Clairmont believes intermittent power outages at his office and home have caused about $12,000 in damages over the past decade to computers and servers at his business in Tecumseh and to household appliances at his home less than two kilometres away in Lakeshore. He said the appliance repairman took the items apart and found fried components caused by frequent power outages. Row Expressway, west of Manning Road, says the situation is maddening because he's been unable to solve the issue with Hydro One. "You call Hydro One and they lie to you and say you are the only one," Clairmont said. He's been complaining for years and got some compensation for damaged goods a few years ago. "It's terrible for the people running on the treadmill," said Maria Meret, co-owner with her daughters of the all-woman exercise club. Meret, who lives off Lesperance about two kilometres to the west, experiences numerous momentary power outages at her home too. Clairmont said he's frustrated because he can't get answers. "Hydro One's feeder lines in Essex County average 15 to 20 kilometres in length," she said in an email. Air pollution is a factor given the proximity to steel mills and coal power plants. Bob Parent, who is a neighbour of Clairmont's on Ruggaber Drive in Lakeshore, said the powered flickered on and off on Wednesday, a bright sunny day. Hydro One spokeswoman Tiziana Baccega Rosa said there are a numerous reasons for power interruptions and that's why no utility in the world can guarantee a constant supply of electricity to its customers. Lines and equipment gets dusty and when this combines with bits of moisture, electricity can track and cause a brief outage or interruption. Baccega Rosa also said lightning, which is common in Windsor, can cause equipment failures. In response to his complaint to the Ministry of Energy, Clairmont was told to file a complaint with the Ontario Energy Board, which regulates the electricity industry. "It's very annoying. Clairmont, a financial adviser with an office south of E. MPP Taras Natyshak (NDP - Essex) said problems with the aging electrical system aren't new. He said he'll use his position on the legislature's quotes committee to urge Hydro One to repair and replace electrical infrastructure in Essex County. "It can be very frustrating," she said but the couple have not lost any appliances to the outages. There must have been a bird on the line because the excuses don't add up. He isn't alone in his power troubles. "Last week the power went out and they said it was due to the weather," Clairmont said. . With Vid: Essex County power failures spark anger, confusion |
Friday, 1 June 2012
With Vid: Essex County power failures spark anger, confusion
