HALIFAX -- Advocates for Nova Scotia's consumers, small businesses and electricity ratepayers are saying they need more time to study a complex commercial agreement that deals with the proposed $1.5-billion Maritime Link project.
Nelson Blackburn, the province's small business advocate, says the deal between Nova Scotia energy company Emera Inc. (TSX:EMA) and Nalcor Energy, Newfoundland and Labrador's Crown energy company, requires closer scrutiny.
Emera held a four-hour technical conference today in Halifax and a round of public hearings is slated for next week.
Blackburn says that's not enough time, considering the agreement took three months to negotiate and was released only last week.
A lawyer for the province's consumer advocate also said more time is needed, and the Nova Scotia Lower Power Rates Alliance has formally asked for an extension from the province's energy regulator.
Chris Huskilson, Emera's CEO, says the hearings should wrap up soon because the company wants to make sure construction contracts can go ahead and that there are no complications with a federal loan guarantee.
The Maritime Link involves building a subsea cable that would link Nova Scotia with Newfoundland, allowing Nova Scotia to buy energy generated by the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric plant, which is under construction in Labrador.
