Potential changes to NS power rates to come later this year
Posted Feb 20, 2015 10:40:22 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The government is looking at changing how power rates are set in Nova Scotia.
A new survey finds that 64 per cent of ratepayers in the province don’t understand why they pay what they do for electricity.
According to Lower Power Rates Alliance’s Archie Stewart, there are a handful of factors that make up the 15 cents we pay per kilowatt hour, from service and fuel costs to maintenance and repairs.
He told the Rick Howe Show a final report on potential rate changes should come out later this year — but added we shouldn’t expect to see a new rate-setting method come about anytime soon.
“We’re probably not going to hear anything formal until the fall, it’s going to be pretty academic,” he said. “The way things are going right now, with the government, the UARB and with Nova Scotia Power, the three of them are the best of buddies, and they’re going to remain that way.”
A government survey also said about 50 per cent of Nova Scotians think power rates are too high, but Stewart said that number is likely closer to 75 or 80 per cent.
