Nova Scotia Power's Tusket dam refurbishment swallows another $2M
CBC
Nova Scotia Power burned through another $2.2 million from ratepayers late last year at its ill-fated refurbishment of the Tusket hydro dam near Yarmouth, N.S.
The disclosure of contingency spending during the last three months of 2021 was ordered by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board after the company told the regulator on Jan. 31 it was halting work yet again due to water seepage.
The company filed its contingency spending to meet a Feb. 23 deadline imposed by the regulator.
To identify the $2.2 million in additional spending, it required making calculations using information obtained from two sets of submissions by Nova Scotia Power.
Work to bring the crumbling 93-year-old dam up to national standards is now three years behind schedule and at least $18 million over budget. Water continues to seep into the construction zone despite multiple attempts to seal off the site.
The most recent cost estimate goes back to July 2021 when the company applied to charge ratepayers for its overspending.
The total cost then was estimated at $36.8 million — twice the amount originally approved in early 2019.
In January, Nova Scotia Power said it continued to struggle with water infiltration. The company said it had no idea how much it would cost to fix the issue or when it would be able to finish the refurbishment.
The regulator demanded answers.
Nova Scotia Power has to update the status of the construction plan and provide a new overspending projection by July 29.
Its director of regulatory affairs, Brian Curry, has outlined eight steps the company needs to take.
Those include completing a geotechnical review of the site, assessing potential permitting requirements and supply chain impacts.
Saskatoon city hall administration is planning to "refresh" the funding strategy for the proposed $1.2-billion downtown arena district amid a lack of commitments from higher levels of government.
A report of fraud tied to a walleye derby is under investigation after Montreal Lake Cree Nation said a participant allegedly violated derby rules and was asked to leave the fishing area.
An Edmonton architectural firm says it is in talks with the provincial government to potentially redevelop the former Royal Alberta Museum.
Does junior football have a future in Prince George?
People are descending upon the city for the dozens of events and live music performances this week as the Juno Awards are set to take place Sunday at Hamilton's TD Coliseum.
For nearly two decades, Amanda Loewen's world ended where the pavement did.
The notion that home ownership guarantees financial security in old age is being challenged by a recent survey.
The family of Nash Prystie has identified him as the man who died in an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) shooting earlier this month north of Kenora, and is calling for more and quicker help for people with mental health challenges.
Playoff action in the Ontario Hockey League gets underway Thursday night for Guelph and Friday in Kitchener.
UPEI wants its faculty to sign on to an updated version of its sexual assault and discrimination policy, but the union that represents the school's academic staff says it wants the policies to be part of its collective agreement.
In Texas this week for a global energy conference, the federal natural resources minister is proclaiming "Canada is back" and ready to bolster its energy sector and grow exports.
Members of Parliament last year went on the fewest sponsored international trips in the last 15 years, excluding the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ontario is running out of time to beef up rules that would crack down on negligent and misbehaving municipal politicians ahead of the next civic election, some experts and opposition critics warn.