TORONTO - Electricity rates are going up today.
A typical household using 800 kilowatt hours a month will see the "electricity" line on its hydro bill increase by nearly six dollars.
Consumers using smart meters -- or time-of-use pricing -- will see an increase of about four dollars.
The Ontario Energy Board says prices are rising as coal-fired generation declines and is replaced with natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy.
The Conservatives say the governing Liberals' expensive push into wind and solar power is the main culprit behind rising hydro rates.
The New Democrats say bills will climb even higher as the government refurbishes its nuclear fleet.
But Energy Minister Chris Bentley says green energy has little to do with increasing rates.
He says the hike mainly reflects the cost of upgrading Ontario's electricity system.
