There would be up to 10 times during peak periods of electricity consumption between June and September during which their thermostat would be adjusted two to four degrees.
The government says the adjustment would typically last for no more than three hours, wouldn’t be on weekends or holidays, and participants can opt out of any temperature change.
The Progressive Conservatives cancelled a number of energy conservation programs early in their first term in government, and critics have said their new $342-million suite of programs doesn’t replace what existed previously.
Energy Minister Todd Smith says Ontario’s electricity grid was in a different situation then, with a surplus of power that was sometimes being sold at a loss to neighbouring jurisdictions.
“The energy efficiency programs weren’t as important then as they certainly are now,” Smith said at a press conference Thursday.
“We have a lot more eligible customers, the technology is much better so it will be much more effective,” he said. “I think now is the right time to bring back the involvement of residential customers.”