Latest news with #PUCServices
CBC
3 days ago
- Automotive
- CBC
Some EV owners in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., choosing to rent rather than buy charger, private utility says
Social Sharing Some Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., drivers who have opted to ditch their gas-powered car for an electric vehicle (EV) are choosing to rent a charger rather than buying, according to the private utility company PUC Services Inc. PUC says it launched its EV home charger rental program in October 2022, and there are currently 31 active participants. Noting that "EVs are not the most inexpensive vehicle out there," Jairus Patterson, PUC's manager of corporate communications, said the program offers a simple, reliable and trustworthy at-home charging option to people who have purchased EVs. "When you purchase [an EV], you do need to get a charger and this is a great way, an affordable way to help lower some costs, by renting a home charger from us," Patterson told CBC Sudbury. "We do know those [chargers] can [cost] upwards of $2,000 to $3,000 if you're going to purchase it yourself. Under the PUC program, EV drivers can have a charger installed at their home for a $35 monthly fee, which covers rental of the unit, a lifetime warranty and an installation credit. 'The uptick has been good' Patterson said the contract is "month-to-month," giving people the opportunity to opt out at any time in case they decide to install a permanent charger. "We have seen growth in the adoption of EV vehicles here in Sault Ste. Marie, and with our program, the uptick has been good," Patterson said. "We are seeing some people are going the route where they just want to buy it themselves and they don't want to rent it, so that's fine as well. But we are starting to see more and more people deciding to go the rental route." Devin Arthur, chapter president at the EV Society of Greater Sudbury, welcomes the program, which he says helps to encourage the adoption of EVs "Any way to make it easier for people to purchase an EV is a win, especially if you are purchasing a used EV as these purchases often do not come with a 'free' home charger install like a new vehicle would," Arthur wrote in an email to CBC News. In November the Ontario government announced it's building more than 1,300 new EV charging stations in small and medium-sized communities, marking a major milestone in the province's plan to increase access to EV chargers outside of large urban centres and support the electrification of transportation across the province. At the time, the government said the new charging stations will provide critical supporting infrastructure in communities across the province, including for EVs made in Ontario. "With more than 201,000 electric vehicles on the road in Ontario, we're putting shovels in the ground to build more charging stations and make life easier for drivers," said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification. "That includes a focus on smaller and underserved communities across our province where we are providing more certainty for parents and workers during their commutes." The chargers will be located at 270 sites across the province, such as arenas, hospitals, parks and recreation centres. This includes 190 charging stations in northern Ontario, providing drivers across the north with more options when travelling.
CTV News
29-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Sault police deploys plush canine unit
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is deploying a new type of canine unit to help comfort children who might be dealing with a stressful situation. (Supplied) The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is deploying a new type of canine unit to help comfort children who might be dealing with a stressful situation. The Sault Police Services Board has teamed up with PUC Services Inc. to purchase plush canines. The toys are modelled after real members of the Sault police canine unit – Hektor, Red and Ben. 'Obviously, police go to a lot of traumatic calls, and sometimes, unfortunately, youth are involved, specifically young children,' said police spokesman Lincoln Louttit. 'If this is something we can give them to help heal and help them recover, then I think it's a positive thing we can do for the community.' 'One of our guiding pillars that we have is when it comes to approving donation requests is healthy, safe and active lifestyles for children,' said PUC Services spokesman Jairus Patterson. 'We know these dogs are given to children who at times are probably dealing with a pretty traumatic situation. So, if they can just hold it and feel a little bit safer in that situation, why would we not do it?' Police said studies have shown stuffed animals can help kids cope with trauma, stress, fear and physical pain by providing emotional and physical comfort.
CBC
08-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., utility gets thanks for helping neighbours in northern Michigan
Social Sharing Despite current political tensions between Canada and the United States, Rob Brewer says he didn't think twice when he was asked to send a hydro crew south of the border to assist after a winter storm hammered parts of northern Michigan. Brewer is the president and CEO of PUC Services, the hydro and water utility for Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., which borders a town of the same name in Michigan's upper peninsula. "Sault, Michigan has been our neighbour for 108 years," he said. "There's gonna be some ups and downs with respect to political leadership and that kind of thing. But at the end of the day, you know, our kids play hockey together. We visit quite regularly in both directions… And so we get a call like that asking for help. We're going to go." Brewer said the Cloverland Electric Cooperative in Michigan requested his assistance when a winter storm hit the state in late March, which cut power to thousands of homes. PUC Services ended up sending a five-person crew south to help repair damaged power lines. "You hear stories with what's been going on with respect to the political side about people not being welcomed," Brewer said. "That has not been our experience. I can tell you it has just been phenomenal. I think the bonds we have are stronger than some of the current situation will impact." A thank you letter To show their appreciation, a group of residents from the affected area banded together to purchase ads in the Toronto Star and Sault Star newspapers to thank the utility workers from the Canadian Sault for their help. Patrick Shannon, a retired prosecutor from Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., was one of the people who signed the thank you letter. "The Ontario people coming over to assist was just an indication of how we work together," he said. Shannon's home is near the St. Marys River and he said he sees Canada whenever he looks out the window. He said his community has had close ties with its Canadian neighbours for over a century. "Fighting with Canada is stupid. It's just boneheaded," he said about the ongoing trade war between both countries. Margaret Doud, the longtime mayor of Mackinac Island, Mich., also signed the letter. "We want to continue to be great neighbors and we just wanted to make sure everyone in Canada knew that we appreciated their help," she said. Mackinac Island is a popular tourist destination and Doud said she worries tensions between both countries will impact the upcoming travel season. "We hope that it will be resolved and everything will get back to normal," she said. Rod Nelson, the retired CEO of the Mackinac Straits Health System, signed the letter and said he disagrees with his federal government's approach to Canada. "I think it's very sad that certain statements have been made by folks in Washington, D.C. about our Canadian friends," he said.
