All-party push for NSP changes
Posted Oct 26, 2012 05:49:37 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
As the Dexter Government introduced legislation to push some of Nova Scotia Power’s costs onto shareholders instead of ratepayers, both opposition parties put forward similar plans.
The parties are now disputing who had the idea first.
“I do feel a little bit like the student who has had his homework copied today,” said Progressive Conservative leader Jamie Ballie. “But that’s okay because it is a step in the right direction.”
The Tory legislation seeks to remove the guarantee from NSP profits.
“That means to charge them financial penalties against their profits that can’t be recovered when they fail to meet certain service standards,” Baillie told reporters during the first day of the fall legislative sitting Thursday. “I know that will sound familiar to you.”
That’s because the Tory paper mirrors Liberal leader Stephen McNeil’s bill, also tabled Thursday.
“It will provide the ability for the Utility and Review Board to levy penalties against Nova Scotia Power for reliability issues,” said McNeil.
And it’s the Liberals who are suggesting the NDP copied their bill, as the party aims to introduce competition in the market.
“We are encouraged by the fact that he adopted our position of making sure bonuses, over and above salaries, would not be part of the rate hearing. That would have to be covered by shareholders,” said McNeil.
Out of the three plans pitched, only the NDP government’s is likely to pass.
