Ontario Electricity Regulation Crisis Report Part 127: Poley McPoleface

With credit to Boaty McBoatface, it’s time for Toronto to have its own Poley McPoleface.

In part 126 of this series, I introduced initial documentation of a pole being replaced as part of Toronto Hydro’s so called “aging assets” replacement program.

To recap, Toronto Hydro, with approval from the Ontario Energy Board, is seven years into massive spending spree both agencies claim is required to replace aging assets. While it is true that Toronto Hydro has some aging assets that need replacement, much of the spending spree is being wasted.

The pole shown here is part of a project called the Scarlett ““ St. Clair Overhead Rebuild. Of Toronto Hydro’s over $400 million in capital spending this year, the Scarlett – St. Clair project is just a small part — only $1.68 million. Some of that project is focused on ripping out brand new equipment and replacing it with identical equipment. One example is this pole, photographed this February 24, February 29, and April 5.

Like replaced by like

Like replaced by like

Decapitation

Decapitation

Sound wood all the way up, as expected for after 4-5 yrs service

Sound wood all the way up, as expected for after 4-5 yrs service

Grabbing

Grabbing

Removing the stub

Removing the stub

Loading

Loading

Onto the garbage dolly

Onto the garbage dolly

The original pole’s identification stamp indicates that the replaced unit was Western Red Cedar, butt treated with pentachlorophenol, and produced by the manufacturer Stella-Jones in 2010.

Properly managed and regulated Ontario utilities once managed to keep this type of pole in service for between 30 and 60 plus years. These figures include all poles removed from service, including any damaged by vehicles or animals. None of these mishaps impinged this piece of infrastructure which was in mint condition prior to its demolition and replacement with identical equipment.

4 Comments

  1. Nothing more and nothing less, Toronto Hydro is purely a money making scam period

    ” Lets just pray the City of Toronto steps to the plate and sells Toronto Hydro to the private sector ”

    Then you will start to see accountability and the fair rate platform to rate payers within the city service boundaries…

    Till then just expect to get shafted and well till that time arrives…

    ” Scams and above guide line rate modification’s are just a Pension Payment Cash grab for each and everyone on Toronto Hydro’s payroll ”

    My Two Cents

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