Green energy will cost more: NSP
Posted Jul 14, 2010 07:35:03 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The province is being asked to soften the blow of planned power rate increases in January.
Nova Scotia Power is looking at a 12 per cent hike for residential rates, and 18 per cent for big commercial users.
David Rodenhiser with the utility says there’s still time for some change but adds an increase is inevitable.
“I think that people can expect that moving towards more renewable, lower emission generation comes with a price,” says Rodenhiser.
Meanwhile the Nova Scotia Liberals say it’s time for the province to step up when it comes to renewable energy.
“If this government doesn’t act, this will just be the beginning in terms of power rates,” says Liberal leader Stephen McNeil. “They need to respond in a way to allow Nova Scotians to have access to renewable energy and allow renewable energy producers to have direct access to the customer.”
Energy Minister Bill Estabrooks met with various groups Tuesday to talk about the impact of the proposed power increase.
And with the power utility saying government’s emission targets are forcing them to ask for more money, Eastabrooks stopped short of saying they are willing to review them.
“I would hope just based on some of the things that we learned today that we have an open mind to looking at what we have ahead because the status quo just won’t do,” he says.
