NSP seeking 12 per cent rate hike
Posted Jul 1, 2010 07:22:14 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Nova Scotia Power is looking for another rate hike – and it’s a big one.
The utility has applied for an increase of 12 per cent for residential customers and 18 per cent for industrial.
Rene Gallant, general manager of regulatory affairs, says the hike is based on the cost of improving envirnomental performance. He tells the Herald the company has to shell out more for coal with a reduced mercury content and also has to pay to capture more mercury at its generating stations.
The province’s consumer advocate says the rate hike isn’t guaranteed – but John Merrick says customers should be ready for even more rate increases as the company passes on the cost of a more environmentally friendly operation.
Public hearings on the rate hike request begin in October. If approved, the new rates will be effective on January 1.
