Power rate hike request faces wall of opposition
Posted Sep 19, 2011 05:20:30 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Hearings on Nova Scotia Power’s latest rate hike request begin today at the Utility and Review Board.
The power corporation is looking for a 7.2 per cent increase in power with an increased return on common equity from 9.35 per cent, to 9.6 per cent.
Both opposition parties have requested intervener status, and several provincial departments will also appear.
Tory MLA Chuck Porter says the increase is gouging customer pocketbooks and says his party wants power rates to be debated in the legislature as a matter of course.
A release from the PC Party says a bill will be introduced when the legislature reconvenes named the “Transparency in Power Rates Act,” which is intended to determine how much the NDP renewable energy plan influences power rates.
Liberal leader Stephen McNeil says the UARB should not approve any deal based on figures filed before the closure of the NewPage mill in Port Hawkesbury – NSP’s largest customer.
The premier has already asked the company to drop its application for increased profits.
Customers told News 95.7 they want the Premier to stand up against the rate increase during Monday’s hearing.
“If it was me, I would tell them, Nova Scotia Power should be pulling their own socks up and paying their own bills,” said Albert. “Whenever anything goes down, in any other business, they don’t charge the customer more to repair their vehicles, their buildings, pay employees more money. But it always seems to be us, the consumer, who seems to be paying more.”
“I don’t think they should get a rate hike for anything, especially for more profits,” said another man at Young and Robie streets. “It’s a utility. We need it. You can’t live with out it. I don’t think they should get anything.”
“People cannot afford an increase,” said Tony Faddoul, pointing to the recession. “They should wait for a better time. It’s bad timing right now for an increase.”
Hearings get underway at 9 a.m. today. An evening session is scheduled for Wednesday.
