Blue Alert law, Kirchhoff voltage law may be challenged in court

KIRCHHOFF, Ont.

— A federal judge in southern Ontario is considering whether the country’s electricity utility regulator has the authority to require customers to install new, safe backup batteries for electric vehicles.

The decision is part of an ongoing legal battle that has erupted over the countrys electricity system and whether it should be a mandatory backup battery requirement.

In the latest round of litigation, the Ontario Public Service Commission sued to stop the mandatory requirement on batteries for vehicles.

That ruling was released Tuesday and is scheduled to be heard in March.

The utility commission said it would appeal.

The judge said he will make his decision based on the facts and law, and that the utility will not seek to block the mandate.

The commission said in a statement that he is considering the evidence and will decide on his own.

A hearing in the case will take place in Ontario Provincial Court in Toronto.

In a separate lawsuit, the Canadian Union of Public Employees says the Ontario Power Generation Association and its members have failed to properly consult with customers.

The union says the utility commission has failed to adequately consider the risks associated with a mandatory battery backup system.

The Ontario Public Power Association has said the utility has complied with all of its obligations under the legislation, and the lawsuit is also aimed at the commission.