Kingsville Council requests review of E.L.K Energy

By Mark Ribble

KINGSVILLE — Spurred by a motion put forth by Councillor Kimberly DeYong, Kingsville Council unanimously supported a request for a review of E.L.K. Energy’s services.

E.L.K. Energy provides electricity to Essex, Kingsville and Lakeshore. The utility is owned by the Town of Essex.

According to DeYong, service disruptions have been taking place more frequently in recent months and with more people working and learning from home, it brings yet another challenge during COVID.

Kingsville town administration has also reported failed attempts to get a user agreement with E.L.K., which would make the town aware when work is being done.

“It’s past time for the Town of Kingsville to take a more active advocacy role on behalf of our residents and businesses,” said DeYong.

DeYong’s motion has asked the Town of Essex to embark on a comprehensive review of the supply of electricity, why its supply is unreliable, and why E.L.K. is unresponsive to customer complaints and concerns.

The Town of Essex can do this through a unanimous shareholders resolution, according to the motion.

Her motion also states that if a satisfactory resolution isn’t reached within four months, council should look at other ways to make them accountable, such as taking the issue to the Ontario Energy Board.

Customer complaints range from spotty service and hydro flickers to E.L.K.’s lack of response to complaints from those customers.

And it hasn’t just been happening in Kingsville, as Essex residents have felt the same way.

In August, some residents of Harrow complained that flickers and interruptions had damaged their electric appliances.

“Everyone deserves reliable electrical service and E.L.K. needs to improve their customer service and communication efforts,” says DeYong.