NS Power wants ratepayers to cover $22M bill for last year's storm damages, repairs
Nova Scotia Power has filed an application with the province's Utility and Review Board (UARB) to have ratepayers cover the cost of last year's storm damage to the tune of $22 million.
It's a request that isn't sitting well with Premier Tim Houston.
“I wish Nova Scotia Power would have more empathy towards Nova Scotians,” Houston says.
“Folks are already paying a lot in Nova Scotia when it comes to power. If you look at the last couple of years, you’ve seen combined increases near 15 per cent bills and people just can’t afford this,” adds Jay Goldberg, the interim Atlantic director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
The power company says it spent $32 million last year as a result of severe storms.
The $22 million it's now looking for ratepayers to pay is what's not already covered by the current rates.
The UARB had previously given them approval in their general rate application to seek compensation if storm damage costs exceeded $10.4 million.
“Nova Scotia Power has got to realize that the Nova Scotia taxpayer and ratepayer are not a piggy bank they can keep going back to,” says the province’s Liberal leader, Zach Churchill.
NDP leader Claudia Chender says simply asking the utility to rethink its application isn't enough.
“Nova Scotia Power is a company, that’s not their job. Their job is to maximize return for their shareholders and so at the end of the day, if we want to influence our relationship with Nova Scotia Power, we do that through provincial legislation," says Chender.
Houston says he would like to see the utility to be more proactive instead of reactive when it comes to dealing with severe weather events.
“They should constantly be investing in upgrading their lines. That’s their obligation to make sure people have reliable power,” he says.
If the rate hike is approved, Nova Scotian's will see an average increase of 1.3 per cent on their bills beginning Jan. 1, 2025.
The utility says that increase will only last for one year and will be removed from ratepayers' bills in 2026.
Houston says it's possible his government will step in and fight the request.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Wildfires are dampening against cool, rainy weather, but there's plenty left to contain
An opportune system of cool, wet weather Friday is dampening the spread of wildfires across Western Canada, but there's still plenty of work for responders and residents alike.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.