Winnipeg Free Press Posted: The Consumers Coalition wrote to the Public Utilities Board to ask it to convene a status update hearing to determine whether current hydro rates are appropriate and deal with matters from past general rate applications that have been left unattended since the utility stopped appearing before the board. (Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press files) The Public Utilities Board has asked all major intervenors in past Manitoba Hydro rate applications to weigh in on a request to hold a special hearing to determine whether conditions at the Crown utility have changed enough to warrant an adjustment to electricity rates.