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Ontario Hydro Energy Introduces An Innovative Bundled Energy and Communications Offer

Toronto, Canada, May 4, 2000 - Ontario Hydro Energy Inc. is entering the retail competitive electricity market with a single bill which consolidates home utility payments and a highly innovative comparative billing system.

For the first time, Ontario consumers will be able to choose from a combination of essential home services which include electricity, natural gas, long distance, cellular telephone, internet, water heating and others. All services will be competitively compared and invoiced according to the best rate.

Through the use of a specially developed comparative billing software, ‘Onsource’, which is Ontario Hydro Energy’s residential service, will compare each customer’s monthly invoice against the rates of key competitors and invoice the customer the best rate and lowest cost. These services will be bundled onto one convenient bill.

Later this month Onsource customers can sign up for long distance, electricity and water heater services, which will be included on one bill. The other services will be added to the Onsource offer quickly over the coming months.

"Deregulation in Ontario’s energy sector is intended to introduce competition and innovation," said Mike Miller, President and CEO of Ontario Hydro Energy. "Onsource is a demonstration of being at the cutting edge of innovation in delivering the best services at the best price. Ontario residents are looking for convenience and value but struggle with a cluttered market where offers are confusing and changing daily," said Miller.

"Onsource will do all the necessary homework and ensure each of our customers gets the best price amongst key competitors. We will actually show them their savings each month on one convenient bill," said Miller.

"Furthermore, with the Onsource service, we are committed to customer choice. The customer has control over which of the available services they choose," said Miller.

Other Onsource essential home services include:

• one stop shop for home upgrades including: water heater rental and servicing; window and door installation; home insulation; air conditioning installation and servicing; duct cleaning; air quality products and services; water purification services; satellite TV services; home security, electrical panel upgrades and other services to enhance home efficiency and life quality an informational website including a free comprehensive home efficiency audit that enables customers to assess their own home efficiency and savings on an ongoing basis.

"Onsource is dedicated to helping customers save time and money by offering a variety of innovative services the way customers want them, simply, quickly, with proof of the best rate of the key competitors on every bill, " said Miller.

Like many utilities that are going to do business in the newly deregulated energy market, Hydro One Inc. (formerly Ontario Hydro Services Company) has established an energy retailing company called Ontario Hydro Energy Inc.

Ontario Hydro Energy Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hydro One Inc., and, is in compliance with and licensed by the Ontario Energy Board. The unique Onsource comparative billing software and features, was developed with the Toronto-based Mosaic Group.

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