Nova Scotia Power seeks to delay public hearings on proposed 10% rate hike
CBC
Nova Scotia Power has asked to delay public hearings on its proposed 10 per cent general rate increase so it can continue talks with the provincial government on "solutions" to mitigate the impact of rising fuel costs on rates.
The company was facing a Friday deadline to update its fuel forecast ahead of regulatory hearings scheduled to start Sept. 7. Fuel costs are automatically rolled into rates on a yearly basis.
The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board wanted the fuel forecast update to reflect current market conditions. The company says the fuel cost estimates used for the general rate application were generated in May 2021.
"Fuel and purchased power costs have risen significantly since May 2021," NSP told the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board in an Aug. 10 letter requesting an extension. It wants to delay its fuel update by two weeks — to Sept. 2 — and to push the start of hearings back five days to Sept. 12.
In its letter NSP disclosed that it is currently in talks with the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables over the issue.
"The province is seeking to have further immediate discussions with NS Power on the nature and extent of the fuel and purchased power costs increases in an attempt to lessen the impact on customers by mitigating fuel related costs that would otherwise be included in the fuel update," NSP said.
Natural Resources and Renewables deputy minister Karen Gatien filed a letter "in full support" of the extension, saying since the company filed its rate application in January "there have been unprecedented global increases in fuel costs which will have a direct impact on electricity rates in Nova Scotia."
"The province is committed to continuing that engagement and to examining and assessing every reasonable opportunity that may lessen the impact of increased fuel costs." Gatiene wrote on Aug. 10.
Neither Nova Scotia Power nor the province said what solutions are being examined or what it would cost.
The company and department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Lawyers representing various Nova Scotia Power customer groups are responding.
"In light of the anticipated rate impacts and material fuel cost increases, it would be in the interest of all customers to support the government's timely efforts and requested extension to file NSPI's fuels update," said Nancy Rubin on behalf of industrial customers.
Consumer advocate Bill Mahody, representing NSP's 400,000 residential customers, welcomed the province's direct involvement but said NSP should be held to the original timeline.
If the extension's granted, the updated fuel forecast would be released after the company releases its rebuttal to evidence filed by consumer groups.
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