The Public Utilities Board has announced that Hydro rates will go up 2.9 percent on April 1, 2010. You could be paying between 50 cents and 5-dollars more on your bill… depending on how much electricity you use.

If you haven’t already, make sure you take advantage of Hydro’s various Energy Saving Rebates to get some cash back.

Best commercial ever.

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Image Vintage Piece at Jet Rag – Play it Safe Around Electricity! Originally uploaded by joeyredmond

Water and Sewer bills will go up 2.7% in 2010, which means the average household will pay $21 more.

This is probably a good time for families to start implementing water conservation rules. Not just to save on money, but the environment as well.

The Kitchen:
* Take foods out of the freezer early to allow plenty of time to thaw. Thawing frozen goods under a running tap wastes water.
* Clean fruits and vegetables in a partially filled sink and rinse them quickly.
* When boiling vegetables, use only enough water to cover the foods. Steaming uses even less water while conserving more nutrients.
* Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator. That way, you don’t have to let your tap run to get cold water when you want a drink.
* Fill the dishwasher before you turn it on. It can use from 30 to 45 litres per cycle. Washing by hand uses about the same, each time you wash, so use the dishwasher once a day and save.
* Turn your taps off tightly but gently so they don’t drip. And repair any leaks in and around your taps and faucets without delay.

The Bathroom:
* You can save 10 to 20 litres of water each time you shave by filling the basin, instead of letting the water run continuously.
* Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, and use short bursts of water for rinsing.
* Turn off the taps tightly but gently so they do not drip.
* A quick shower uses less hot water than a bath in a full tub. If you prefer the bath, don’t overfill the tub; 1/2 full should be enough.
* If you’re taking a bath, put in the plug and turn on the hot water. Let it run until the water gets hot before adjusting the temperature with cold water.
* Flush the toilet only when necessary. Never use it as a wastebasket for tissue etc., and never flush paints, solvents or other chemicals down the toilet.

Click here to read more of Environment Canada’s list of water conservation tips.

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Image Running Water Originally uploaded by jessicamelling

From everyone at Access Winnipeg, we take this day to commemorate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and of civilians in times of war.

At 11am, please take a few minutes away from Modern Warfare 2 to remember those people who actually lived through those horrific video game moments. To remember those people who did die, and didn’t simply respawn from the last check point.

Image Remembrance Day Originally uploaded by Shreyans Bhansali

Add another one to the list… it looks like Sears will now begin to charge for plastic bags.

It will be .05 cents per bag and the proceeds will go to environmental and children’s cancer charities.

I’m still not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing. If retailers really wanted to make a difference – charge $1 for a reusable bag with your logo on it and stop distributing bags all together. Force the issue.

.05 per bag is not going to stop anyone from using plastic bags. Someone buying a $50 shirt from Sears isn’t going to bring a reusable bag with him, and he sure isn’t going to skimp out on .05 cents for a bag. Our environment is still going to get polluted.

Image Sears Originally uploaded by justj0000lie