AMPCO is a not-for-profit consumer interest advocacy organization that promotes the competitiveness of Ontario businesses by advocating for affordable and reliable supplies of electricity. AMPCO members represent a wide range of resource, manufacturing, and processing industries that use very large amounts of electrical energy.

As an AMPCO member, you will be making a commitment to address the most fundamental competitive needs of Ontario industry.  Working with organizations with a shared commitment to excellence, you will be supporting the establishment of progressive electricity policy, law, and regulation to ensure the long-term viability of your business.

Going forward, AMPCO is striving to set the standard for member services.

Strategic alliances and coalition building
AMPCO was a founding member of the Stakeholders' Alliance for Electricity Competition and Customer Choice, an early and powerful voice for electricity reform.

AMPCO established a coalition of organizations which successfully argued the case for net load billing in Hydro One's rate case heard by the Ontario Energy Board.

AMPCO was a founding member of the Customer Coalition, a coalition of seven customer organizations with common interests formed to provide a customer feedback forum for government and other interested parties.

AMPCO was a founding member of the Customer Campaign for Affordable and Reliable Electricity (CARE) Coalition , a strategic coalition of major industry and consumers associations that lobbied successfully for the extension of revenue caps on the un-regulated generation assets of Ontario Power Generation – a benefit for all Ontario consumers and to coordinate policy development and advocacy on a range of issues of concern to Ontario electricity customers big and small.

We work closely with all stakeholders in Ontario's electricity future, to monitor and raise awareness of emerging issues, to build consensus for reforms that protect and serve the interests of consumers and to leverage our influence to see those reforms put in place.

Timely action on critical issues

AMPCO proactively monitors the development of government policy and market rules to ensure early awareness of issues that may affect industrial electricity users.

As a lean organization, AMPCO is able to ramp up quickly and lobby effectively at the earliest sign of a threat to member interests.

AMPCO’s early action has produced many successes for major power consumers, most recently with the extension of revenue caps on the output of OPG’s unregulated assets. This alone is worth potentially hundreds of millions of dollars to AMPCO members over the next three years.

Due diligence

AMPCO offers unequalled representation through proactive involvement on policy and regulatory issues that most affect your business, including:

§          Targets and standards for electricity conservation and demand management, renewable energy, and the future supply mix for Ontario.

§          Ontario Energy Board and Ontario Power Authority proceedings to establish filing guidelines, criteria, and planning priorities to maintain and enhance the reliability and quality of electricity transmission in Ontario.

§          Ongoing initiatives at the Ontario Energy Board, the Ontario Power Authority and the Independent Electricity System Operator to change the way Ontario’s electricity system is regulated.

Research and analysis of electricity in Ontario and other jurisdictions

AMPCO has commissioned two major studies regarding Ontario’s supply mix showing the economic implications of policy choices.

AMPCO’s research is recognized by industry, government, and regulators as an important source of information.

AMPCO undertakes regular surveys to accurately assess the public mood on critical issues.

AMPCO continues to review progress and problems in other jurisdictions around the world.

Lobbying to protect business interests

AMPCO regularly communicates with decision-makers in government, power utilities, the media, industry and allied associations.

AMPCO maintains access to legal, technical, and public affairs counsel.

AMPCO monitors economic, technical, and legislative developments that effect members.

AMPCO is focused on the issues most critical to industrial performance:

§          Creation of a diverse, reliable, secure, and affordable electricity supply mix.

§          Appropriate investment in Ontario’s transmission and distribution sector to maintain and enhance the reliability, security, and quality of electricity supplies.

§          Appropriate structure and regulation of the electricity supply system to achieve the lowest possible electricity prices for all Ontario customers into the future.

AMPCO ensures that members have access to the best strategic advice and advocacy to help manage business risks and influence outcomes that create value for industry.

Professional development, events, information and engagement

AMPCO hosts two major association meetings in the spring and fall. An intensive energy seminar is linked to AMPCO’s Annual General Meeting in April. Workshops and training sessions provide members with up-to-date information on electricity market developments.

AMPCO is committed to better informing and more actively engaging members in its activities by offering regular communications on issues of concern.

AMPCO representatives are available for speaking engagements and public education opportunities undertaken by member companies.

AMPCO provides members with communications support, including guidance on local community outreach initiatives, such as key message development and local media engagement.

AMPCO’s web site offers members a user-friendly, relevant, and interactive tool, ensuring access to business critical resources 24/7/365.

Membership requirements and funding

AMPCO fees are progressive, with each member paying according to their average annual rate of consumption.

Prospective members must have a minimum average monthly demand 3 megawatts.

Membership fees are calculated at 4.55 cents per kilowatt hour of prior year electricity consumption for all member locations. The amount to be paid is based on an honour system, with members reporting their own electricity consumption. We invoice members on a quarterly basis.

A minimum fee has been set at $1,100 per year, with a maximum level of $48,000 per year.

All members, regardless of their fee level, share an equal voice in AMPCO’s deliberations.

AMPCO is a lean organization, widely recognized as the most credible and passionate voice for sensible electricity pricing and policies.  This is critically important as the policy choices facing the Ontario government mean the difference between failure and success for so many customers, ranging from industrial, institutional, commercial, business, farm and residential.  Now more than ever, AMPCO members need to work together to promote policy choices that serve and protect the interests of consumers with respect to pricing, adequacy, reliability, and quality of electricity service.

AMPCO can help you manage your risks, identify and realize valuable opportunities and achieve your business objectives on the bottom line. Please call us (416-260-0225) if you have questions, or want more details about becoming a member.