Re Nova Scotia Power calls for end to feuding with provincial government
David Amos<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> | Sun, Dec 18, 2022 at 10:53 PM |
| To: Peter.Gregg@nspower.ca, PREMIER <PREMIER@gov.ns.ca>, "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca> | |
| Cc: "michael.macdonald" <michael.macdonald@thecanadianpress.com>, "Michael.Gorman" <Michael.Gorman@cbc.ca>, brian.gifford@eastlink.ca | |
Hey Former Attorney General Mikey Murphy say Hoka Hey to TJ Burke and the RCMP
New report gives breakdown of Nova Scotia Power's Fiona outage statistics
Region that includes Pictou, Antigonish experienced longest outages on average: 6.18 days
The organization, unlike telecommunications companies, is required to provide a detailed public report on large outage events.
The report found that nearly 425,000 unique customers were impacted by an outage because of the late September event. However, there were more than 750,000 total customer interruptions, meaning many customers experienced multiple outages during the restoration period.
Nova Scotia Power spokesperson Jacqueline Foster said at the peak of the outages, 405,000 customers were without power, the highest on record. She said the impact from high winds and falling trees was unprecedented, and the extent of the damage was five times that of Hurricane Dorian, which hit Nova Scotia in September 2019.
She said in situations of widespread outages, the company triages its restoration efforts.
"Nova Scotia Power prioritizes restoration to situations impacting public safety, followed by critical transmission infrastructure, EMO infrastructure priorities, and then focuses on restoring power to the greatest number of customers as quickly as possible," said Foster in an email statement.
The average restoration time was just over 100 hours, or about four days. Just over 50 per cent of customers had their power restored within 48 hours of crews starting their work.
However, restoration times varied between regions. The northeast region, which includes Pictou and Antigonish, experienced the longest outages in the province.
There were 16.81 days between the first outage and full restoration in that region. After 48 hours of work to restore power, only about 18 per cent of customers had their power back. It also had the longest average restoration time at 6.18 days.
The Eastern Shore experienced the second longest average restoration time at 5.22 days.
Cape Breton East, which includes Sydney, also experienced long outages compared to the rest of the province. There were 16.63 days from their first outage to full restoration. Nearly 20 per cent of customers had their power back after 48 hours of restoration work.
In the metro region, which includes Halifax, the average restoration time was 2.87 days. and Almost 70 per cent of customers had their power back after 48 hours of work.
In all regions, it took at least two weeks from the time of the first outage to have power restored for all customers.
A tree fell on a vehicle on Binney Street in west-end Halifax because of Fiona. (Nova Scotia Power)
Foster said Nova Scotia Power undertook extensive preparations for the storm, deploying 800 workers on the ground in advance, the most to date.
She said the company has been heavily involved in post-storm clean-up, proactively removing over 4,000 weak or damaged trees.
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Nova Scotia Power's credit rating has been downgraded — again
Rating agency cut NSP's long- and short-term debt rating on Tuesday
The DBRS Morningstar cut NSP's long- and short-term debt rating on Tuesday.
It cited increased risk created by the provincial government's imposition of a cap on rates, spending and profits in the middle of hearings on all three issues by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (UARB).
S&P Global downgraded Nova Scotia Power last month. It also blamed "unprecedented political interference" by the Nova Scotia government.
Ratings agency react to political intervention
The UARB, an independent regulator, was still weighing evidence in a general rate application for a two-year, 14 per cent power rate increase when the province intervened.
"DBRS Morningstar believes meeting the provincially mandated renewable generation targets will be challenging given the financial restraints on [Nova Scotia Power] over the near term, as well as the heightened regulatory risk on the company's ability to receive rate increases to recover and earn a reasonable return on any new investments," the rating agency said Tuesday.
The downgrades are in response to Bill 212, passed by the Progressive Conservative government in November. For two years it limits electricity rate increases to 1.8 per cent for everything other than fuel and energy efficiency program costs. It also caps profits and requires increased revenue to be dedicated to strengthening the electrical grid.
DBRS Morningstar dropped NSP long-term debt one notch from A-low to BBB- high and commercial paper — the equivalent of a corporate IOU — a notch from R-1 low to R-2 high.
It said the decision follows "the deterioration in the regulatory environment" for NSP and discussions with company management.
The rating agency said it was encouraged Nova Scotia Power and intervenors representing customer groups reached a negotiated settlement after the provincial rate cap was imposed.
Customers face rate increase
The settlement reconfigures what rates will cover — for example it increases the amount that will go to pay higher fuel costs.
But the settlement submitted to the UARB amounts to the same 14 per cent increase on the table before the province intervened to "protect ratepayers" through Bill 212.
Premier Tim Houston has called on the Utility and Review Board to reject the settlement.
Conditions needed to restore NSP credit rating
DBRS Morningstar said in order to upgrade the rating it needs to see the next general rate application "conducted free of any interference and with the [UARB's] full independence on the determination of rates."
Another condition is "meaningful progress on the replacement of coal-fired plants with renewable sources in order to meet the mandated targets."
Nova Scotia Power reacts
On Tuesday evening, Nova Scotia Power spokesperson Jackie Foster said in a statement the latest downgrade "demonstrates the ongoing fallout from the government's passage of Bill 212."
Last week, the utility company estimated the credit rating downgrades will cost between $20 million and $30 million annually in higher interest payments once existing debt is renewed.
Higher interest cost cannot be passed on to ratepayers for two years because of Bill 212. After that the company intends to recover them from ratepayers.
On Dec. 13, NSP president Peter Gregg wrote to several provincial cabinet ministers asking for a meeting.
In an interview with CBC News at the time, he said "We need to work closely with the provincial government, put our differences aside, work through the differences, whatever it takes.
"I do believe we have the same interests, but we've got to stop this fighting," he said.
The premier's office says it will decide in the new year whether it will sit down with the company.
"This additional action by a credit rating agency reinforces the seriousness of the current situation and this is exactly why we are requesting a meeting with government, so we can work move forward and work productively together to find meaningful, long-term solutions for Nova Scotians," Foster said in the statement.
CBC's Journalistic Standards and PracticesProvince orders Nova Scotia Power to use biomass to generate electricity
Forestry industry welcomes move, environmentalist decries 'terrible announcement'
Nova Scotia Power will use more biomass to generate electricity for the next three years, under regulatory changes by the province that are angering environmentalists and being lauded by the forestry industry.
The changes to renewable electricity regulations in the Electricity Act that were announced Monday call for the utility to purchase 135,000 megawatt hours of renewable energy in 2023, 2024 and 2025, which is all but certain to come from biomass. Previously, there was no required amount.
A spokesperson for the utility said it is equivalent to approximately 3.6 per cent of the total renewable energy that will be supplied to customers in 2022.
The news comes as Emera, the parent company of Nova Scotia Power, expects the Brooklyn Energy biomass-fuelled power plant to be repaired and operational again by the end of January, almost a year after the site was damaged.
'It's a farce'
"This is just a really terrible announcement for the environment," said the Ecology Action Centre's Ray Plourde.
"It's a disaster for the atmosphere and it's a disaster for biodiversity."
Plourde pointed to a recent decision by the government of Australia to no longer consider electricity generated by biomass as renewable energy. The problem with considering it a renewable resource, he said, is that such a view is based on the notion that the greenhouse gasses produced by burning biomass will someday be absorbed by future trees.
"It's a farce," said Plourde.
"It's a sick joke at a time when we need real climate solutions."
But Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton said biomass is a resource that can be used at a time when fossil fuel prices remain volatile, until more wind and solar projects are ready to come online.
Rushton said sawmills around the province have lots of wood chips and other byproducts from forestry operations that can be used to meet the new requirements. It also provides a destination for waste wood still in forests following post-tropical storm Fiona, said Rushton.
Helping fill renewables gap
The regulations prohibit cutting whole trees to generate electricity and only allow products left over from sustainable timber harvest and primary processing to be used.
"What I see is a renewable resource that we have sitting in our province right now, with biomass that can certainly assist Nova Scotia Power with meeting their renewable targets," Rushton said in an interview.
Nova Scotia Power is required to generate at least 40 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources, although that has been a challenge because of delays getting the full amount of power from Labrador via the Maritime Link. The utility is required to hit 80 per cent renewable-generated electricity by 2030.
Stephen Moore, executive director of Forest Nova Scotia, said the requirement is good news for his members.
A boost for industry
Moore said the organization has been petitioning the government to find new markets for the glut of byproducts sitting in mill yards and the waste wood that remains in the forests following Fiona.
"There is certainly a substantial amount of this stuff sitting around the province right now," he said.
It's too soon to know how much wood will be required to meet the new regulations, but Moore said it's a "crucial move" that would provide a strong foundation for the sector as it continues to look for new markets. He noted that practising ecological forestry produces byproducts that need to go somewhere.
But Plourde said it would be better for the environment if those materials were put toward making pressboard or biochar, or used for district heating, which is more efficient than burning biomass to generate electricity.
Rushton understands the practice is controversial, but there is a worldwide energy crunch related to fossil fuels and that needs to be considered while transitioning to cleaner fuel sources, he said.
Whether biomass will be required to generate electricity beyond 2025 remains to be seen, but Rushton said that conversation will happen.
"I think you see that with having the window put in there," he said.
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices|
Raymond Plourde
Maggy Burns
Executive Director | Ecology Action Centre
maggy.burns@ecologyaction.ca
Stacy Corneau
(613) 620–2592
corneau.stacy@gmail.com
‘A farce, a sick joke’: Nova Scotia amps up burning of biomass for electricity
Last week, the Labour government in Australia moved to change a 2015 regulation classifying woody biomass as a ‘renewable’ source of energy alongside wind and solar.
In dropping biomass from the list of renewables, Australia’s climate change and energy minister, Chris Bowen, said the change was in step with “strong and longstanding community views” following a public consultation that attracted more than2900 submissions. Environmental groups lauded the decision.
Contrast that decision in Australia with one announced yesterday by the Houston government here in Nova Scotia.
With a stroke of the pen, it has established a new regulation that requires Nova Scotia Power to generate at least 153,000 megawatt hours of electricity a year from biomass for the next three years.
Biomass includes residual or “waste” pulpwood, branches, bark, and wood chips that is the by-product of sawmills or natural disasters such as hurricanes.
The only limit to how much the utility can burn is a financial one. Natural Resources and Renewables minister Tory Rushton says the government is limiting Nova Scotia Power to spending an additional $4 million a year “to avoid further power rate increases” for citizens.
It’s clear from a fuel update the company filed last September with the Utility and Review Board that Nova Scotia Power was planning to significantly ramp up the amount of electricity generated from biomass. The fuel update estimated that between 2022 and 2024 Nova Scotia Power would receive 2,700,000 megawatt hours less hydroelectricity from Muskrat Falls than was previously forecast.
This under-delivery means Nova Scotia Power can’t reduce its greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from coal and natural gas generating stations until more wind farms and other renewable sources of energy are built or imported.
Meanwhile, unlike Australia, biomass in Nova Scotia and Canada is still classified as ‘renewable’ despite compelling arguments from environmentalists who say clearcutting on privately owned (70% in N.S.) and Crown land means biomass often emits more carbon than burning coal.
A letter to that effect signed by several top climate scientists was presented to world leaders gathered at the biodiversity conference in Montreal this month.
Renewable Energy Minister Tory Rushton defended the move to burn more biomass.
“For us, this is about putting more renewable energy on the system for a short period of time until we can establish more hydro and wind for the long-term,” said Rushton. “ I’m also the minister responsible for Natural Resources so I know there’s no longer a market for pulpwood since Northern Pulp closed. And the residual wood left on the ground after hurricane Fiona creates an opportunity to have money paid for that wood to stay in the province.”
Biomass use to increase 51.7%
On the Port Hawkesbury Paper property, the amount of biomass used to generate electricity over the next two years is forecast to increase a staggering 51.7%. The co-gen boiler that produces steam for the newsprint mill and electricity for the grid is owned by Nova Scotia Power.
In 2020-21, this biomass boiler contributed 138,620 megawatt hours, or about 3% of the total electricity supplied to the provincial grid*.
According to the fuel update Nova Scotia Power filed last September, this forecast increase in biomass burning “is driven by economics and GHG compliance requirements.” In other words, it’s cheaper to buy biomass from saw mills and wood lots than it is to buy coal, and, GHG emissions from coal will cost money under environmental regulations while GHG emissions from biomass don’t even get counted.
“This is a really terrible announcement for the environment, a disaster for the atmosphere and for biodiversity,” said Ray Plourde, senior wilderness coordinator for the Ecology Action Centre, continuing:
The government pretends that burning forest biomass is magically non-carbon emitting based on a fantasy theory that in 100 years, the carbon will be re-absorbed by future trees that may or may not grow, so they don’t need to count biomass emissions at all.
But we don’t have 100 years to wait for that to happen and there is no guarantee that it will.
Biomass is not a climate solution, but it’s being embraced by our government in policy and practice because it’s easy to do (burn trees instead of coal) and it helps the forestry sector with a glut of so called ‘waste wood.’ Its significant negative impacts on the climate and biodiversity are conveniently ignored. It’s a farce, a sick joke at a time when we need real climate solutions.
Ray Plourde
Brooklyn Power
Brooklyn Power, the 35 MW biomass boiler owned by Emera near Liverpool, has been out of commission since last February, when it was damaged by a winter storm. But Emera says Brooklyn will be back in service by the middle of next month.
On average, Nova Scotia Power plans to buy 12.5 % more electricity from Brooklyn than in the past. In 2020-21, Brooklyn contributed 144,000 megawatt hours of electricity to the grid. The forecast filed in the September fuel update will bump that up to 162,000 megawatt hours for 2023 and 2024.
The biomass plant at Brooklyn was once the most expensive source of electricity for ratepayers and ought to be closed, according to an audit done for the Utility and Review Board by the firm Bates White five years ago. But the old plant that dates from Bowater Mersey days is now relatively less expensive when you factor in the rising price of fossil fuels and the fines associated with carbon pollution.
Rushton considers biomass a short-term “opportunity” for the forestry sector, while environmentalists view it as both a loophole and a wrong-headed choice to deal with climate change.
“Our forests have much more potential and value than to be burned for the generation of electricity,” says Mike Lancaster, the coordinator for a citizen advocacy group called the Healthy Forest Coalition:
Using forest biomass for the generation of electricity is an extremely inefficient use of our forests. Even the best systems generally lose around 80% of the potential energy, running at 20% efficiency.
When sourced from truly ecological-based forestry practices (i.e. no harvesting during the peak of nesting season for birds, no harvests take more than 20% of the forest, etc.), biomass for heating is a better use of our forests. For example, most modern wood stoves get in the range of 65-80% efficiency. Our industry needs an avenue for the byproducts of sawmilling, but using those residuals for local heating would be a better use.
Mike Lancaster
Rushton said burning wood is a better choice than burning coal to generate electricity because carbon emissions from biomass are lower as long as the wood is harvested sustainably.
Rushton said the new regulation outlaws cutting whole trees for biomass and the province is implementing the ecological forestry model on Crown lands, as recommended by the Lahey Report. But he acknowledges that while the province can enforce regulations when it comes to how wood gets harvested on Crown lands, which make up less than 30% of Nova Scotia’s forests, it does not have that authority when it comes to land owned by small woodlot owners and large private companies. They have just been handed a Christmas gift.
* This article has been revised to better describe the biomass situation at Port Hawkesbury.
Jennifer Henderson
Nova Scotia Power will be using more sustainably harvested biomass over the next three years under a new renewable electricity standard.
The new standard, in the Renewable Electricity Regulations under the Electricity Act, requires the utility to purchase 135,000 megawatt hours of readily available renewable energy in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Biomass is likely to be the only readily available option during that time. It is available due to the closure of the Northern Pulp mill and damage from hurricane Fiona.
“Biomass is renewable, readily available and burns cleaner than coal,” said Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables. “Adding more sustainably harvested biomass for a few years is a small thing we can do in the short term to bring more renewables onto the grid while longer term solutions are built.”
The regulations prohibit cutting whole trees to generate electricity. They only allow biomass in the form of low-quality residual wood and chips that are leftover from sustainable timber harvesting and primary processing.
Suppliers will have increased costs for fuel or to restart operations. Therefore, the utility will be required to pay suppliers an additional $30 per megawatt hour beyond existing contracts. However, the utility has a limit of $4.05 million per year from 2023 to 2025 to avoid creating a burden for ratepayers as the Province encourages the use of more renewable energy.
Quick Facts:
- renewable electricity standards require a specific amount of electricity to be produced from renewables sources such as wind, solar, biomass and hydro
- the current standard requires Nova Scotia Power to generate at least 40 per cent of electricity from renewables
- due to delays with the Maritime Link, the standard was adjusted to an average of 40 per cent from 2020 to 2022; data will be reviewed early in 2023 to determine whether that target was met
- the utility will likely reach about 70 per cent renewables by 2026 with reliable hydro electricity through the Maritime Link and new onshore wind projects
- the renewable electricity standard will increase to 80 per cent in 2030
Additional Resources:
Amendment to the Renewable Electricity Regulations: https://novascotia.ca/just/regulations/regs/2022-338-ELEC-Renewable_Electricity.pdf
Nova Scotia Power calls for end to feuding with provincial government
'We've got to stop this fighting,' Nova Scotia Power president says
Nova Scotia Power president Peter Gregg is calling for a truce with the provincial government. (Robert Short/CBC)
Nova Scotia Power is calling for a meeting "as soon as possible" with the provincial government, saying a broken relationship threatens its ability to meet renewable energy targets — and its bottom line.
"We need to work closely with the provincial government, put our differences aside, work through the differences, whatever it takes," Nova Scotia Power president Peter Gregg said Friday.
"I do believe we have the same interests, but we've got to stop this fighting."
Gregg asked for the meeting in a Dec. 13 letter to the ministers of finance, environment and climate change and natural resources and renewables.
The company's call for a truce comes in the midst of a contentious regulatory hearing into its application for a 14 per cent power rate increase over two years.
Premier Tim Houston's office said Friday the government will decide in the new year whether it will meet with the utility.
"I will reiterate our government's position on power rates," spokesperson Catherine Klimek said in a statement. "We're committed to protecting ratepayers as best we can and ensure they have access to clean, reliable electricity at a fair price."
'Already difficult situation'
Gregg's blunt letter outlines Nova Scotia Power's objections to the conduct of the Houston government that includes Bill 212, the law that imposed a 1.8 per cent cap on non-fuel costs.
It was passed before the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board had finished reviewing the evidence.
"We remain deeply concerned that political intervention in the regulatory process, lack of consultation with NSP on energy and climate policy and continued comments in the media not only highlight the lack of a productive working relationship, but they also risk further exacerbating an already difficult situation," Gregg wrote.
Bill 212 required the revenue generated by the increase to be spent only on upgrading the electrical grid and stops spending on renewable projects needed to transition off coal.
Bill
212 required the revenue generated by a 1.8 per cent increase to be
spent only on upgrading the electrical grid and stopped spending on
renewable projects needed to transition off coal. (Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press)
The company paused work on large-scale battery storage, a wind-power procurement and upgrading the grid connection with New Brunswick, a first step in the Atlantic Loop — a regional energy corridor.
"We are concerned that there is a disconnect between what the government would like to achieve in their climate plan and Bill 212 which restricts the investments the utility can make in order to help facilitate the achievement of the goals," he wrote.
Nova Scotia Power is supposed to close its coal-fired generation plants by 2030, when 80 per cent of its electricity must come from renewable sources.
"It doesn't seem achievable at this point," Gregg said. "I'm not confident we can reach that.
"Can I get myself to a place that we could ultimately do it? Yes. But again … we need to be shoulder to shoulder with the province on this."
Credit rating crash will cost up to $30M a year
Another source of friction is the credit rating downgrade triggered by the rate cap.
Nova Scotia Power says the company will pay up to $30 million more in higher interest payments annually once existing debt is refinanced.
"The NSP team made every effort to advise your government that the unprecedented interference into an independent regulatory process would result in the credit downgrade that has now happened," Gregg wrote.
Premier
Tim Houston's office said on Friday the government will decide in the
new year if it will meet with Nova Scotia Power, reiterating that the
priority is 'protecting ratepayers.' (Robert Short/CBC)
The province is unapologetic, saying the company can take lower profits.
Gregg called that misleading since, like every other regulated utility, profits are set by a regulator to attract money needed for capital projects. He said Nova Scotia Power has spent $3.7 billion on its electrical system in the last 12 years.
"The expectation of a reasonable return for investors is what allows for the raising of capital at the lowest possible cost," Gregg wrote.
The province has shown no interest in peace. It accused the company of greed and incompetence this week in a closing submission in the rate case.
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PO Box 910 ◠Halifax, Nova Scotia ◠Canada ◠B3J 2W5 1 of 3 December 13, 2022 Ministers Rushton, MacMaster and Halman, On behalf of the Nova Scotia Power (NSP) team and our customers, I am requesting a meeting to discuss the very important issues facing our province. I know we have a shared commitment to doing the right thing for Nova Scotians, not only today but into the future. However, we remain deeply concerned that political intervention in the regulatory process, lack of consultation with NSP on energy and climate policy and continued comments in the media not only highlight the lack of a productive working relationship, but they also risk further exacerbating an already difficult situation. In the face of the climate crisis and the important work ahead, it’s in the best interests of Nova Scotians if we find solutions together. As you know, Bill 212 directly resulted in a strong response from capital markets and extraordinary credit downgrade for NSP, directly and indirectly imposing additional costs on NSP customers. Leading up to the passage of Bill 212, the NSP team made every effort to advise your government that the unprecedented interference into an independent regulatory process would result in the credit downgrade that has now happened. It is estimated that the downgrade will cost Nova Scotians $20-30 million annually once all existing debt is refinanced. Unfortunately, this situation is not stabilized and any further political interference continues to present additional risk and could lead to more actions from rating agencies and more unnecessary costs for customers. I’d also like to address recent comments in the media by Minister Rushton. Suggesting that NSP should simply use “profit†to cover the increased costs resulting from Bill 212 is misleading. This is not the way costs are managed in investor-owned regulated utilities. Consistent with every single regulated utility in North America, all costs are recovered in customer rates, including costs that are imposed by government actions, like those associated with Bill 212. It is important to understand that as a rate-regulated, cost of service utility, our business is appropriately held to a standard by the regulator that ensures every decision and cost is in the best interest of customers. This is unlike almost any other private company, including power developers and independent power producers in the province. Any return to shareholders is set by the regulator at a level that is considered “reasonable†with the goal to minimize costs to customers while still enabling the attraction of the capital needed for investment in the system. The capital investments we make, the costs we incur, and any profit earned are scrutinized for reasonableness by the regulator. Any return that is paid to � PO Box 910 ◠Halifax, Nova Scotia ◠Canada ◠B3J 2W5 2 of 3 shareholders is not guaranteed, it must be earned through prudent management of costs, and this is an integral part of the rate-setting process done by the regulator. The expectation of a reasonable return for investors is what allows for the raising of capital at the lowest possible cost, and this is what then enables us to invest in the system and to build a modern resilient grid that will facilitate the adoption of more renewables, increase reliability for customers, enable the closure of coal units and invest in new technologies -- all at the lowest cost for customers. Just as a steady income is required for an individual to obtain a mortgage, a predictable return is required for a utility to raise capital. Without that return, investors will not provide the capital necessary to operate and improve the system. Over the past twelve years, NSP has invested a total of $3.7 Billion of capital in the electricity system of the province. That is over $310 million invested in the system each year to benefit our customers. This is level of investment that takes place when investors have confidence in our company and in the independent regulator, and it is an amount that far exceeds the reasonable ‘profit’ set and controlled by the independent regulator. We understand that no one wants to see an increase in electricity rates but it’s a reality given the need to invest in a cleaner and more resilient energy system. It is also a reflection of the current economic conditions, where the combined impacts of high global fuel prices and inflation are driving the costs higher in all jurisdictions. The current General Rate Application before the regulator is the first in ten years. It’s a critical time at the utility and the political intervention of Bill 212 just delays needed investment and creates a “bow wave†of costs down the road for customers, meaning that in future the costs and necessary rate increases will be higher than if we tackle these challenges together now. The NSP team works incredibly hard for Nova Scotians each and every day. We’ve been executing on a strategy to build a greener energy system in NS for almost 20 years – it’s not just what we do, it’s part of our culture. While the Government’s climate plan has a lot of the right ideas, as the owners and operators of the province’s energy grid, we have an important role to play in Nova Scotia’s energy transition. This is a role that we take very seriously and it's a reality that extends beyond the issues of the day. We are concerned that there is a disconnect between what the government would like to achieve in their climate plan and Bill 212 which restricts the investments the utility can make in order to help facilitate the achievement of the goals. � PO Box 910 ◠Halifax, Nova Scotia ◠Canada ◠B3J 2W5 3 of 3 There is important and urgent work ahead for Nova Scotia. We need your government to engage with us directly in a more positive and productive way as we move forward. We want to work constructively with you and your colleagues to develop meaningful, long-term, and enduring solutions for the province. We can achieve better outcomes for customers if we work together. That’s what Nova Scotians expect of both of us. I respectfully ask that we meet as soon as possible. Yours truly, Peter Gregg President & CEO Nova Scotia Power Cc: Premier Tim Houston Deputy Minister for NRR Deputy Minister of Finance Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change
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Nova Scotia government lashes out at Nova Scotia Power — again
Houston government doubles down on criticisms of utility in closing submission to regulators
The province used the filing to justify its imposition of a 1.8 per cent rate cap on non-fuel costs, accusing the company of gouging ratepayers while providing unreliable service.
The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board is deciding on a proposed rate settlement reached between the company and representatives of major customer groups after the provincial government imposed the rate cap through Bill 212.
In its 19-page closing submission to the board, the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables said the company was "delinquent" in failing to adequately trim trees to keep fallen branches from taking out power lines during storms.
"The impact of NSP's failure to sufficiently invest in vegetation management was keenly felt by ratepayers following Hurricane Fiona, which struck the evening the [general rate application] hearing concluded. Thousands of Nova Scotians were left without power for days or weeks," the department said.
Nova Scotia Power has said the rate cap will leave it $70 million short of what it needs to run the utility and earn its guaranteed nine per cent rate of return.
Premier
Tim Houston has called for the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board to
reject the settlement agreement reached between Nova Scotia Power and
customer group representatives. (Brian MacKay/CBC)
The province accused the company of sacrificing ratepayers for profits.
"There is no reasonable justification to allow NSP to receive greater profits when Nova Scotians are facing significant inflationary pressures, and NSP is failing to deliver reliable service," the department said.
"During harsh economic times, it is unreasonable to impose further hardship on ratepayers to enhance corporate returns."
It also highlighted the failure of the Muskrat Falls hydro project in Labrador to deliver contracted amounts of hydro electricity, forcing Nova Scotia Power to buy higher-priced fuel to provide power.
"Ratepayers are being asked to pay for investments in failed or disappointing projects at the same time they face inflated costs for replacement fuels. Moreover, when these increased fuel costs are deferred, NSP again benefits from interest on fuel deferrals. NSP profits from poor investments at the same time ratepayers are forced to pay more for NSP's mistakes," the department said.
The department also repeated a call made by Premier Tim Houston to reject the settlement agreement reached between Nova Scotia Power and customer group representatives.
Provincial
government highlighted the failure of Muskrat Falls Generating Project
in Labrador to deliver promised hydro electricity, forcing Nova Scotia
Power to buy higher-priced fuel to provide power. (CBC)
"The terms of the settlement agreement increase rates and contravene the purpose, spirit, and intent of Bill 212."
In her closing submission lawyer Nancy Rubin, representing large industrial customers, said the settlement accommodates the material impact of Bill 212 and "is reasonable, fair, equitable and in the best interest of ratepayers."
Limitations
Consumer advocate Bill Mahody said the deal imposes limits on some items Nova Scotia Power was seeking.
A proposed storm rider to pay for extreme weather was given a three-year term, turning it into a trial period. And a proposed decarbonization deferral account is limited to writing off Nova Scotia Power's fossil fuel plants.
"The Settlement Agreement represents the outcome of discussions among the vast majority of active participants in this matter, and it has the support of all ratepayer advocates," Mahody said in his submission.
"Further, the Settlement Agreement is comprehensive, addressing virtually all of the matters in contention before the Board."
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
Critic of 'overly generous' Nova Scotia Power profits worried about rate cap
'I don't think anybody anticipated that the province would impose a restriction like this,' says business prof
"I don't think anybody anticipated that the province would impose a restriction like this," says University of Toronto business professor Laurence Booth.
"I was shocked."
Booth provided expert testimony for the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board during regulatory hearings into Nova Scotia Power's application for higher rates in September — before the province imposed a 1.8 per cent rate cap on non-fuel costs.
The province said it was acting to protect ratepayers.
Legislation also limited Nova Scotia Power profits and required revenue generated by the 1.8 per cent increase be spent only on strengthening the electrical grid. The province suggested the company eat extra costs not covered in rates by lowering its profits.
A critic of overly generous profits
"I do sympathize with the provincial government," Booth said.
Booth said Canadian utilities have long reaped overly generous returns for too little risk — a criticism he levelled at Nova Scotia Power in testimony during the rate application.
But Booth says political intervention like this is "a repeated problem" in the United States and rare in Canada, where utilities recover their costs in return for slightly lower rates of return.
Laurence Booth is a business professor at the University of Toronto. (CBC)
"I think in many cases that's a little bit generous, but that's the regulatory compact."
Booth says the province stepped on an independent regulator doing its job, sorting through a very expensive transition away from fossil fuels mandated by federal and provincial governments.
Nova Scotia Power is entitled to recover the cost of the coal-fired plants built to generate electricity and the renewable energy sources required by governments.
Credit rating shot
"The result is electricity users in Nova Scotia are going to be paying twice, once for the coal plants that are no longer used and useful, and again for alternative production," Booth said.
"Nova Scotia Power has got legitimate grief here and the board is stuck between a rock and a hard place, trying to implement policy in a reasonable way consistent with what every other regulatory board in Canada has done and they've just been sideswiped."
The rate cap triggered a credit rating downgrade, shutting Nova Scotia Power out of the commercial paper market — basically an IOU issued by corporations with excellent credit ratings — to cover short-term spending.
Its long-term credit is now one notch above junk bond status.
"What I fear is that the rating agencies like Dominion Bond Rating Services and Standard & Poor's, they're going to say, well, perhaps Canada isn't the safe, conservative regulatory environment that we thought it was, and they'll revise their opinion not just for Nova Scotia, but for every other utility in Canada," he said.
After the province imposed its rate cap, Nova Scotia Power and lawyers representing its major customer groups and some advocacy groups reached a settlement that would see rates increase by 14 per cent over two years which includes higher fuel costs incurred by the utility.
Deadline Wednesday for final submissions in rate case
Nova Scotia Power insists the settlement adheres to the rate cap.
The proposed rate is currently before the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.
The deadline for final submissions is Wednesday.
Premier Tim Houston has called on regulators to reject the proposed increase, but has not said what the government will do if regulators accept the settlement.
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-power-credit-rating-woes-continue-1.6679629
Nova Scotia Power credit rating woes continue
Source of short-term financing cut off by credit rating downgrade, company says
Last month, rating agency S&P Global dropped the utility's credit rating to just above junk bond status and downgraded another credit category, known as Canadian commercial paper, which provides short-term financing to businesses and government agencies.
The downgrade was in response to Bill 212, passed by the Progressive Conservative government in November, that limits electricity rate increases to 1.8 per cent for everything other fuel and energy efficiency program costs.
Increased revenue must be dedicated to strengthening the electrical grid and profits are also capped by the law. It was imposed in the midst of rate hearings held by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (UARB).
S&P saw the "unprecedented political intervention as significantly detrimental to NSPI's credit quality because it impairs the regulator's ability to act independently to protect the utility's credit quality, undermining the regulatory construct and the utility's cash flow predictability."
Nova Scotia Power says "for the first time in the company's history," it has now been excluded from the commercial paper market. That market deals in unsecured debt issued by a company for short-term costs like payroll or accounts payable.
"NS Power is currently in the process of attempting to regain access to the commercial paper market," the company said in evidence filed this week with the UARB.
"However, if the company is unsuccessful, this will make short-term borrowing more expensive for NS Power as access to the commercial paper market has saved customers significant financing costs as compared to traditional loans and revolving credit lines."
Greg Blunden, chief financial officer of parent company Emera, says Nova Scotia Power usually has about $400 million in short-term borrowing which now costs one per cent or more in higher interest.
He said that would be between $3 million and $4 million "of incremental interest expense that we would pay that we otherwise would not have paid."
Nova Scotia Power also told regulators it is on the precipice of losing its investment-grade credit rating.
Province unmoved
"A loss of investment grade credit rating status would have a significant and dramatic impact on Nova Scotia Power's ability to access capital and the associated borrowing costs to be borne by customers."
Blunden said the downgrade comes as no surprise.
"Investors are nervous, they're uncomfortable," he said. "They see this as unprecedented in North America in our sector and as a result of that are really challenging us and asking themselves whether or not they should move their capital to other jurisdictions and I think we're seeing that."
The province is aware, but unmoved by the consequences for Nova Scotia Power's credit rating downgrade.
"I do understand that our legislation has put Nova Scotia Power into that position," acknowledged Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables Tory Rushton on Thursday. "Nova Scotia Power has made more than $125 million profit for the last 12 years, every year. Every other company right now, with the times that we're in, has had to make changes. I expect Nova Scotia Power to be no different."
Protecting ratepayers
Rushton repeated the talking point he has used, along with Premier Tim Houston, since the rate cap was introduced: the government is acting to protect ratepayers.
Even with the rate cap, Nova Scotia Power and its customer groups have agreed to a 14 per cent rate increase over two years, which must be approved by the UARB.
Houston has written to the regulator, urging the UARB to reject the settlement.
Despite the lower value of Nova Scotia Power, Blunden says Emera has no intention of unloading it.
"We're not going to sell Nova Scotia Power," he said.
"It's our home. We care very much about the business. We care very much about our customers. We're committed to Nova Scotia."
CBC's Journalistic Standards and PracticesPremier calls on regulators to reject 14% electricity rate hike agreement
'I do not believe, based on what I know, that the proposed agreement is in the best interest of ratepayers'
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is calling on provincial regulators to reject a settlement agreement between Nova Scotia Power and customer groups that would see electricity rates rise by nearly 14 per cent over the next two years.
"It is our shared responsibility to protect ratepayers and I can't state strongly enough how concerned I am that the agreement before you does not do that," Houston wrote in a letter to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board late Monday.
Houston urged the three-member panel to "set the agreement aside and reach its own conclusion on the aforementioned application."
"I do not believe, based on what I know, that the proposed agreement is in the best interest of ratepayers," he said.
The letter does not spell out what his Progressive Conservative government would do if the board accepts the settlement reached last week between Nova Scotia Power and lawyers representing residential, small business and large industrial customer classes.
Other groups also endorsed the deal, although Nova Scotia Power's biggest customer — Port Hawkesbury Paper — did not sign on.
'We're protecting the ratepayers'
Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton said the province was not part of the negotiations leading up to the settlement.
"As a government or department we had no intel on those conversations that were taking place," he said Tuesday. "So, we saw the information the same as the public did late last week, and right now we're protecting the ratepayers of Nova Scotia. We want to make sure that that voice is still heard at the UARB level."
Tory Rushton is Nova Scotia's minister of natural resources and renewables. (Robert Short/CBC)
Rushton said he didn't want to presuppose what the UARB will say.
"But I think the premier's been very loud and clear and I believe I have been, too. The ratepayers are at the top of our mind. We have different tools at our [disposal] and we'll certainly do what we can and need to [do] to protect those ratepayers."
The settlement agreement
If approved by regulators, rates would rise by 6.9 per cent in 2023 and 6.9 per cent in 2024 — almost the same amount on the table when hearings before the review board ended in September.
The Houston government later intervened with legislation, known as Bill 212, that capped rates to cover non-fuel costs by 1.8 per cent. It did not cap rates to cover fuel costs or energy efficiency programs.
Nova Scotia Power president Peter Gregg addresses the legislature's law amendments committee in October. (Michael Gorman/CBC)
In a statement announcing the agreement, Nova Scotia Power president Peter Gregg claimed the settlement adhered "to the direction provided by the provincial government through Bill 212."
Consumer advocate Bill Mahody, representing residential customers, told CBC News the proposed 13.8 per cent increase was "a reasonable rate increase given the revenue requirement that was testified to at the hearing."
Settlement 'remarkably' similar to NSP application
The premier disagrees, noting that the settlement and rate application that triggered the rate cap are "remarkably consistent."
He objects to the increased amount of fuel costs rolled into rates next year before the annual true up of actual fuel costs, which are automatically passed on to ratepayers.
"If Nova Scotia Power is effectively paid in advance, what motive do they have to hedge and mitigate the adjustment eventually required," Houston asked in his letter.
He also objected to the inclusion of a storm rider in rates to cover extreme weather, which he said pushed the risk of climate change on to ratepayers.
Premier second-guesses Muskrat Falls approval
Houston also second-guessed the board for approving Nova Scotia Power's participation in the Muskrat Falls hydro project in Labrador.
"The fact that Nova Scotians have paid over $500 million for this project with minimal benefit, and no one has been held accountable, is wrong," he said. "It was this board of the day that approved the contracts and entered the final project into rates."
These
steel towers support the 1,100-kilometre Labrador-Island transmission
line from Muskrat Falls to Soldiers Pond on Newfoundland's Avalon
Peninsula. (Terry Roberts/CBC)
Ratepayers are committed to paying $1.7 billion for the Maritime Link to bring the green source of electricity into the province.
Although the Maritime Link was built on time and on budget by an affiliated company, only a fraction of Muskrat Falls hydro has been delivered because of ongoing problems in Newfoundland.
"I find it remarkable that those contracts did not include different risk sharing mechanisms; they should have had provisions for issues in oversight of project management. Nevertheless, it was approved, and is causing significant harm to ratepayers in the form of increased rates."
Houston notes that because of non-delivery from Muskrat Falls, Nova Scotia Power has been forced to buy much more expensive coal to burn to generate electricity.
Opposition reaction
Opposition parties in Nova Scotia reacted to Houston's letter.
NDP Leader Claudia Chender dismissed it as bluster.
"It exposes his Bill 212 as not really helping Nova Scotians in the way that he said it would," she said. "Nothing in the settlement agreement contravenes that bill. But it seems that he's upset that he's been found out. And so here we are with another intervention in an independent regulatory body."
Liberal Leader Zach Churchill said the government should intervene to help ratepayers directly.
"We just think that it makes more sense to do that directly by supporting ratepayers through heating assistance, rebate programs and expanding the eligibility for that or to provide funding directly to ratepayers instead of intervening in the energy market in this way," he said.
The premier's office said that no one was available when asked about an interview on Tuesday.
"The letter speaks for itself," the office responded.
Nova Scotia Power issued a statement Tuesday. It did not directly address Houston's claims.
"The settlement agreement is now with the NS Utility and Review Board," the utility said.
"The UARB process is designed to ensure customers are represented with strong advocates and independent oversight. The UARB will determine whether the settlement results in just and reasonable rates and is in the public interest."
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Mr. Stephen McGrath, Chair Utility and Review Board 1601 Lower Water Street Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3P6 November 28, 2022 Dear Mr. McGrath, I recently became aware of a proposed settlement with respect to matter number: M10431. I have been taken aback by what I have seen and, rest assured, the Province of Nova Scotia will make its full position clear in its closing statement, however, given the urgency of the situation and high degree of public concern and interest, I felt it important to share my thoughts with you immediately. I do not believe, based on what I know, that the proposed agreement is in the best interest of ratepayers. As such, on behalf of the Province of Nova Scotia, I would respectfully ask that the UARB set the agreement aside and reach its own conclusion on the aforementioned application. It is so critically important that a key missing voice is heard, and that is the voice of Nova Scotians and those focused only on protecting the ratepayers. I see standing up for Nova Scotians as my responsibility as Premier. The UARB mandate places a similar obligation on you: “The Board’s role is to ensure customers receive safe and reliable service at just and reasonable rates.†It is our shared responsibility to protect ratepayers and I can’t state strongly enough how concerned I am that the agreement before you does not do that. Below, I will raise some of the basic concerns we identified from our initial review of the settlement proposal. My comments are based on my understanding that the proposed settlement would see Nova Scotia Power receive a rate increase (including fuel costs) of at least 6.9% in 2023 and another 6.9% in 2024, totalling 13.8%. Incidentally, this increase is remarkably consistent with the 13.7% rate increase Nova Scotia Power was originally seeking in this GRA, before the Legislature unanimously passed Bill 212, limiting the non-fuel rate increase to no more than 1.8% over 2023- 2024. I understand that Nova Scotia Power would argue the differences between their new 13.8% increase and the initial 13.7% but find it interesting that the numbers are essentially the same.� 2 Specifically, the proposed 13.8% increase, appears to be made up as follows: ◠Non-Fuel Rate increase allowed under Bill 212: 1.8% ◠Fuel Cost increases: 8.1% ◠Additional rate increase labeled as “DSM Rider:†3.9% Impacts on ratepayer groups vary, with the residential sector to face a 13.8% impact; large industrials at 9.7%; and small business hit hardest at more than approximately 16%, but in overall cash terms, this would be an increase to ratepayers of approximately $220 million per annum by 2024. We have observations, questions and concerns with respect to the following sections of the proposed settlement: Fuel Costs It is important to keep in mind that the additional fuel costs falling to ratepayers are largely due to the rising cost of coal and gas required to replace the undelivered Maritime Link/Labrador Island Link (LIL) energy. To begin to achieve this, Nova Scotia Power proposes that an extra 8.1% in fuel costs should be added to rates, in increments of 1.5% in 2023 and 6.6% in 2024. Beyond the 8.1%, an additional $200 million in fuel costs is proposed to be deferred to 2024, with the AA/BA process adding these costs in for 2024 and for 2025. Under the proposed agreement, these future rate increases will occur on top of Nova Scotia Power’s proposed 13.8% stated rate increase. I have the following concerns with the fuel aspect of the proposed agreement. 1. The fuel adjustment mechanism is meant to be an adjustment. If Nova Scotia Power is effectively paid in advance, what motive do they have to hedge and mitigate the adjustment eventually required? 2. Bearing in mind that the failures of Muskrat Falls are driving the need to purchase more fuel at record high prices, wouldn't prepaying the adjustment essentially reward Nova Scotia Power and further punish ratepayers for the issues related to the management of the Muskrat Falls project? 3. While the need to smooth spiking global coal prices through fuel deferrals is both understandable and necessary, Nova Scotia Power’s proposal effectively ignores the newly legislated Bank of Canada interest rate plus 1.75%, setting it instead at Nova Scotia Power’s weighted average cost of capital. This enables Nova Scotia Power to earn a return on equity (profit), and effectively turn this fuel deferral into a whole new asset. It has not been adequately demonstrated why this is in the best interests of Nova Scotia’s ratepayers. I worry that allowing not only a recovery of the adjustment but also an additional ability to earn an outsized “investment return†on it seems unfair and will likely do nothing to encourage efforts to mitigate the adjustment� 3 Non-Fuel Costs The 1.8% legislated non-fuel rate cap appears to be used in its entirety in 2023. This was not the intent of the legislation under any reasonable, fair interpretation. In addition, it appears that another 3.9% rate increase is proposed under the clause for “increased DSM costs.†Since Nova Scotians can reduce their bills through greater efficiency and DSM activity, the Government included in Bill 212 a clause to permit new increases in DSM to be added to rates. However, Nova Scotia Power’s proposal not only includes these new increases in DSM costs (less than 1%) in rates, but proposes to increase rates by an extra 3%, for increases in DSM since 2014, despite this amount having been included in the bills Nova Scotians have paid for almost a decade. This clearly circumvents the intention of Bill 212, as rates have already incorporated approximately $40 million in DSM costs. It seems these extra funds would effectively flow as a $40 million annual increase in the profits of Nova Scotia Power. Customer Charges It appears that some of the 1.8% non-fuel side increase will also be charged as an increase in the fixed monthly Customer Charge (rising from $10.83 to $19.17/month for the residential class), imposed on all, rather than charged out as a cost in the $/kwh rate. While recovering the same amount of revenue from ratepayers, this fixed charge will hit families with a small monthly bill harder, notably renters. These fixed monthly bill increases will also be damaging to those lowering their bills through solar or efficiency. From my reading, this means that every residential customer automatically has an increase on their monthly bill from $10.83 today to $19.17, for an immediate monthly increase of at least $8.34. Therefore, if you formerly had a monthly bill of $50, it would now rise by $8.34, plus the 8.1% (fuel) hike plus 3.9% (DSM), for a total new bill of roughly $63. For this home, that means a total rate increase of more than 25%. This is unacceptable. Further Rate Pressures The settlement contains a storm rider, where Nova Scotia Power is able to recover costs above $10.4 million/year for Level 3 and 4 storms in the years 2023-25. As a result, a major storm could raise rates by another 2%. This storm rider does not encourage proper maintenance of the distribution grid and seems to allow Nova Scotia power to push climate change risk onto ratepayers, with the result that it could continue to underperform, without taking accountability.� 4 The agreement also ignores the intent of the amendments to the Act under Bill 212, where the 1.8% rate increase was to be committed to much needed reliability improvements for Nova Scotians, and it provides no information on what reliability investments will be made to justify this increase. In addition, the proposed decarbonization deferral account would absorb undepreciated coal/thermal assets and enable Nova Scotia Power to earn its return on equity on the full amount of assets added to this account, creating another possible increase in rates. Returns to NSP The parties agreed to a 9.0% return on equity for rate-setting purposes, which is 0.25% less than the maximum allowed by legislation. However, Nova Scotia Power will actually be allowed to earn up to the maximum allowed by legislation (9.25%). My reading of this settlement would suggest that Nova Scotia Power has opened multiple avenues to greater earnings: the 3% rate hike from past DSM; equity returns on deferred fuel costs; increased fixed customer charges; and the storm rider. Intent of Legislation The entire purpose of Bill 212 was to protect Nova Scotians. On early review, it appears the intent of this agreement is to circumvent this legislation. Mandate of UARB Having laid all of this out, I am once again reminded of the mandate of the UARB. It is one we have in common: Protect Nova Scotians. I believe the above-noted points demonstrate that this proposed agreement does not protect Nova Scotians. It is likely to harm them, particularly those lower income Nova Scotians and small businesses. It is incumbent upon me to raise these concerns with you as I know government’s in the past have not expressed those concerns when they perhaps should have. The Muskrat Falls project comes to mind. The fact that Nova Scotians have paid over $500 million for this project with minimal benefit, and no one has been held accountable, is wrong. It was this Board of the day that approved the contracts and entered the final project into rates. I find it remarkable that those contracts did not include different risk sharing mechanisms; they should have had provisions for issues in oversight of project management. Nevertheless, it was approved, and is causing significant harm to ratepayers in the form of increased rates. I would ask whom the Board feels should be held responsible for this mess and while it appears that they didn’t adequately protect Nova Scotians with foresight in thought, will they step up to protect ratepayers now?� 5 As you are aware, because we are not realizing the benefits of this project, Nova Scotia Power is forced to buy much more coal than was forecast, and at a time when coal is six times its previous market price. If there was proper oversight, it wouldn’t have come to this; and at the very least, with the expertise involved of all parties, there should have been foresight to hedge on coal. We should be holding a microscope to ensure Nova Scotia Power is doing everything they can to mitigate fuel prices. I would encourage you to heed that suggestion. We respectfully ask that you set aside this agreement and proceed with your deliberations. Yours truly, Hon. Tim Houston Premier of Nova Scotia Cc: Blake Williams, Nova Scotia Power Bill Mahody, Consumer Advocate Nelson Blackburn, Small Business Advocate Nancy Rubin, Industrial Group and Dalhousie University Maggy Burns, Ecology Action Centre Brian Gifford, Affordable Energy Coalition James MacDuff, Municipal Electric Utilities
Nov 25, 2022
This news release constitutes a
“designated news release” for the purposes of Emera’s prospectus
supplement dated August 12, 2021 to its short form base shelf prospectus
dated August 5, 2021
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia –Emera Inc.
(TSX: EMA) and its wholly-owned subsidiary Nova Scotia Power (NS Power)
announced today that NS Power has filed a proposed settlement agreement
for its 2022-2024 General Rate Application (GRA) with the Nova Scotia
Utility and Review Board (UARB). The settlement, which addresses both
fuel and non-fuel rates, was reached between NS Power and key customer
representatives, including Nova Scotia’s Consumer Advocate, the Small
Business Advocate, large customers represented by the Industrial Group,
municipal utilities, Dalhousie University as well as advocates for the
environment and low-income customers.
If approved by the
UARB, the settlement will implement Bill 212, the provincially
legislated cap on non-fuel rates for 2023 and 2024. The agreement
addresses the recovery of fuel costs over the settlement period and
would also establish a Demand Side Management (DSM) rider. Combined,
these amounts would result in rate increases of 6.9% each year for 2023
and 2024. In addition, any under or over recovery of fuel costs would be
addressed through the UARB’s established Fuel Adjustment Mechanism
(FAM) process.
“Reaching this settlement is a remarkable
demonstration of stakeholders’ and customer representatives’ commitment
to working together to reach constructive solutions for customers,” says
Peter Gregg, President and CEO of NS Power. “Working within the
constraints of Bill 212, this settlement addresses all outstanding items
of the GRA, and provides important price predictability for customers
at this time of high inflation and broad economic challenge.”
Other
elements of NS Power’s GRA addressed in the settlement include
agreement on a storm rider for the years 2023-2025, providing clarity
around the recovery of costs for major storms and extreme weather events
in future. It also establishes an equity thickness of 40 per cent for
rate-making purposes and will result in $137 million in forecasted
incremental non-fuel revenues over the settlement period, compared to
$240 million filed within the GRA. A full copy of the proposed
settlement agreement can be found at www.uarb.ca or www.nspower.ca/rateapplication.
“This
is a positive step forward,” said Scott Balfour, President and CEO,
Emera Inc. “Achieving successful and balanced regulatory outcomes within
strong regulatory compacts is critical to our ability to deliver first
and foremost to our customers, but to all other stakeholders as well.”
Today’s
agreement is the latest in a series of regulatory settlements across
Emera’s portfolio that demonstrate the strength of Emera’s teams and
strategy as well as Emera’s ability to work collaboratively with
stakeholders to reach outcomes that are in the best interest of
customers. In the last 24 months, New Mexico Gas, Tampa Electric and
Peoples Gas have also concluded important rate cases through settlement
agreements with customer representatives.
—30—
Forward Looking Information
This
news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of
applicable securities laws. By its nature, forward-looking information
requires Emera and NS Power to make assumptions and is subject to
inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements reflect Emera
management’s and NS Power management’s current beliefs and are based on
information currently available to Emera management and to NS Power
management. There is a risk that predictions, forecasts, conclusions and
projections that constitute forward-looking information will not prove
to be accurate, that Emera’s and NS Power’s assumptions may not be
correct and that actual results may differ materially from such
forward-looking information. Additional detailed information about these
assumptions, risks and uncertainties is included in Emera’s and NS
Power’s securities regulatory filings, including under the heading
“Enterprise Risk and Risk Management” in Emera’s and in NS Power’s
annual Management’s Discussion and Analysis, and under the heading
“Principal Financial Risks and Uncertainties” in the notes to Emera’s
and to NS Power’s annual and interim financial statements, which can be
found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
About Emera Inc.
Emera
Inc. is a geographically diverse energy and services company
headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with approximately $40 billion in
assets and 2021 revenues of more than $5.7 billion. The company
primarily invests in regulated electricity generation and electricity
and gas transmission and distribution with a strategic focus on
transformation from high carbon to low carbon energy sources. Emera has
investments in Canada, the United States and in three Caribbean
countries. Emera’s common and preferred shares are listed on the Toronto
Stock Exchange and trade respectively under the symbol EMA, EMA.PR.A,
EMA.PR.B, EMA.PR.C, EMA.PR.E, EMA.PR.F, EMA.PR.H, EMA.PR.J and EMA.PR.L.
Depositary receipts representing common shares of Emera are listed on
the Barbados Stock Exchange under the symbol EMABDR and on The Bahamas
International Securities Exchange under the symbol EMAB. Additional
information can be accessed at www.emera.com or at www.sedar.com.
About Nova Scotia Power
Nova
Scotia Power Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Emera Inc. (TSX-EMA),
a diversified energy and services company. Nova Scotia Power provides
95% of the generation, transmission and distribution of electrical power
to approximately 540,000 residential, commercial and industrial
customers across Nova Scotia. The company is focused on new technologies
to enhance customer service and reliability, reduce emissions and add
renewable energy. Nova Scotia Power has over 2000 employees and $4.5
billion in operating assets. Learn more at www.nspower.ca.
Media:
Dina Seely
Emera Inc.
902-428-6951
media@emera.com
Jackie Foster
Nova Scotia Power
(902) 225-4735
Rates could rise 14% over 2 years under settlement between Nova Scotia Power, customers
Settlement still needs to be approved by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board
If approved by regulators, rates would rise by 6.9 per cent in 2023 and 6.9 per cent in 2024 — the same amount on the table when hearings before the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (UARB) ended in September.
The settlement now goes to the UARB for approval.
"It'll be over to the board to determine whether or not the settlement itself is in the public interest, and everyone who participated in the hearing will have an opportunity to make representations on that point," said consumer advocate Bill Mahody, who represents Nova Scotia Power residential customers before regulators.
The agreement announced Thursday night takes into account the 1.8 per cent cap on non-fuel costs imposed through Bill 212 by the province's Progressive Conservative government after the hearings.
That legislation does not limit fuel adjustment costs, which Nova Scotia power was seeking for the next two years to cover the rising price of oil, gas and coal used to generate electricity. The utility had warned that adjustment could boost residential rates between 9.6 and 12 per cent.
The new agreed-on increase covers those fuel costs and includes increased spending on energy efficiency programs, which the province has also allowed.
Lawyers representing residential, small businesses and large industrial customers signed on to the settlement. As did the Ecology Action Centre and the Affordable Energy Coalition.
"The 6.9 per cent in the circumstances represents a reasonable rate increase given the revenue requirement that was testified to at the hearing," said Mahody.
Province not part of negotiations
The province did not participate in the negotiations.
In a statement Thursday night, the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables said it was unaware of the specific details and will have to review the terms of the agreement.
"We put legislation in to protect ratepayers, and we will continue to protect them. Anything that results in higher rates and potentially circumvents the purpose of our legislation will certainly require a close look," the department said.
In a news release, Nova Scotia Power president Peter Gregg said "we appreciate the collaboration of customer representatives to reach the proposed settlement filed today, as we adhere to the direction provided by the provincial government through Bill 212."
"There's no question this is a hard time for Nova Scotians and great attention must be paid to the current concerns over the rising cost of living, while also ensuring we maintain the most basic needs for a reliable electrical system," Gregg said.
Nova Scotia Power has withdrawn a proposed "earning sharing mechanism" that would have given the company half of excess profits earned above its approved rate of return, which is nine per cent.
Rate cap legislation
In accordance with the province's rate cap legislation, the rate of return has been capped at 9.25 per cent. The company had asked for a maximum of 9.5 per cent.
The settlement allows for a storm rider — or additional charge — on bills to pay for extreme weather, but the rider now ends in three years.
A so-called decarbonization account has been limited to writing off the cost of retiring coal plants pending further consultation with customer groups.
The elephant in the room that remains for ratepayers is fuel costs.
Rates in the settlement agreement do cover the outstanding fuel bill — estimated at $516 million in 2023 and 2024.
The settlement confirms that Nova Scotia Power will apply next year to begin to recover those costs, with an expectation that recovery will be spread out over time.
The settlement comes in the same week Nova Scotia Power had its credit rating cut two notches by S&P Global.
The rating agency blamed the rate cap, which it said was an act of unprecedented political interference in a regulated utility.
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
Premier says he won't back down after Nova Scotia Power credit rating downgraded
NDP leader worries higher borrowing costs will be passed on to consumers
The utility's parent company, Emera, warned a weaker credit rating will lead to increased costs to borrow money. It said that could ultimately result in higher prices for customers.
Rating agency S&P Global announced the downgrade on Monday, citing the province's move to limit power-rate increases to 1.8 per cent this year and next.
The agency said the cap will increase the utility's business risks.
Houston shrugged off such concerns.
"I'm not in the business of managing their relationships with their stakeholders," he said. "They can do that. They are highly paid executives, they have a lot of stakeholders and they should manage those relationships."
The premier said Nova Scotia imposed the cap to protect people from high utility rates. (Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press)
Houston said the province imposed the cap to protect people from "very high utility rates."
Earlier this year, the company had applied for a nearly 14 per cent rate hike over two years.
"There is a very concerted effort by Nova Scotia Power and Emera to frighten people to try to get the government to back down and I will be very clear we are not backing down on this," Houston said. "My only obligation is to the ratepayers of the province."
'It's going to cost us more'
However, opposition politicians said the fact Nova Scotia Power now has the lowest corporate investment grade in North America is a concern for ratepayers.
"Once again the Houston government didn't do their homework," said Kelly Regan, Liberal MLA for Bedford-Birch Cove. "We really would have preferred they would have sat down with Nova Scotia Power."
New Democratic Party Leader Claudia Chender said ideas her party has presented to change the way Nova Scotia Power operates have been ignored.
"Our power bills are still going to skyrocket because Nova Scotia Power passes through a lot of their costs," Chender said. "If it costs the company more, it's going to cost us more."
Houston said his government is simply standing with ratepayers and has made sure a double-digit power rate increase will not happen for the next two years.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cap on electricity prices drives down Nova Scotia Power's credit rating
S&P Global says new law hurts Nova Scotia Power's ability to operate
S&P Global says the business risks facing Nova Scotia Power Inc. increased significantly with passage of Bill 212, which capped rates, profits and spending in the midst of a rate hearing by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.
"We expect that utilities operate under a regulatory construct that is sufficiently insulated from political intervention to protect their credit risk profile, even during periods of economic stress," S&P Global said in the Nov. 21 credit report.
"We believe NSPI's ability to operate at a consistent financial level, in-line with that of its peers, has declined."
The rating agency downgraded Nova Scotia Power by two notches to BBB minus — the lowest corporate investment grade in North America.
That weaker credit rating will push up the cost of borrowing, said Greg Blunden, chief financial officer of Nova Scotia Power parent company Emera.
Customers will eventually pay, says CFO
"The implications for Nova Scotia Power — and then ultimately our customers — is every time we go to the market to raise money, whether that's for new capital investments or to refinance existing bonds, it's going to come at a significantly higher price than it otherwise would have," Blunden said.
"And those costs are going to be costs that are ultimately going to be borne by our customers over the next number of decades," he said.
Higher interest costs will not be passed onto ratepayers during the rate cap, which limits non-fuel related increases to 1.8 per cent in 2023 and 2024, excluding some energy efficiency measures.
Increased revenue must be dedicated to strengthening the electrical grid, according to the law.
S&P Global says that "has disincentivized NSPI to invest in decarbonizing its generation fleet."
That echoes previous warnings from Emera CEO Scott Balfour and Nova Scotia Power president Peter Gregg.
S&P
Global says the rate cap also interferes with the independent
regulation of utilities in the province. This file photo shows a Nova
Scotia Power worker repairing electricity lines in Sydney in October
following post-tropical storm Fiona. (Robert Short/CBC)
Green grid slowed because of rate cap
Blunden also says the rate cap will slow the greening of the grid.
"It's going to result in more challenges over the next number of years to move off coal faster than we otherwise would have. We are going to be challenged to continue to invest in renewable generation, battery storage, those kinds of things," he said.
The legislated rate cap also prompted S&P Global to revise "our assessment of Nova Scotia's regulatory jurisdiction to our lowest level."
"We view this unprecedented political intervention as significantly detrimental to NSPI's credit quality because it impairs the regulator's ability to act independently to protect the utility's credit quality, undermining the regulatory construct and the utility's cash flow predictability."
Dalhousie University energy specialist Larry Hughes says that matters.
"It makes the province look bad because of this interference in a regulated utility," said Hughes.
Province brushes aside criticism
The provincial government has brushed aside criticism of the bill from Emera, business groups and the consumer advocate who represents ratepayers in regulatory hearings.
Premier Tim Houston says he was protecting customers from huge rate increases and would do it again if necessary.
The Department of Natural Resources and Renewables said its responsibility is to ratepayers.
"It is up to the company to manage its relationships with its stakeholders," the province said in a statement. "We will continue to look at options to help keep life affordable for Nova Scotians and to hold Nova Scotia Power accountable for the service it provides to people."
Opposition leaders in the legislature also supported the rate cap.
Nova Scotia Power produces about 15 per cent of Emera earnings.
In response to the rate cap legislation, Emera said it will reduce its spending in Nova Scotia — something noted by the rating agency.
"Emera's announcement that it will materially reduce its capital investment in NSPI, while maintaining only the minimum required equity in its capital structure, weakens our view of Emera's long-term support for NSPI relative to our prior expectations."
Blunden downplayed the impact of the S&P downgrade on Emera.
"It's going to be basically isolated … to Nova Scotia Power. So we're not anticipating any follow on effects of Emera at this point in time."
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
New performance standard for Nova Scotia Power aimed at preserving electricity for large companies
N.S. government says brief service interuptions can cost industrial customers millions
"In your home, you may have a quick interruption of power that resets the clock on your microwave but your power doesn't go out," Natural Resources and Renewables Department spokesperson Patricia Jreige said in an email.
"That's inconsequential in your home, but when a small interruption affects a critical piece of equipment in an industrial operation, it's a loss [of] thousands of dollars each time. Companies have reported millions of dollars of loss annually because of the small power interruptions we're talking about."
The new regulations stem from amendments to the Public Utilities Act the government passed last spring to allow for the creation of new performance standards.
Failure to act would lead to fines
The measure announced Tuesday will require Nova Scotia Power to "deliver stable voltage to a transmission customer under standard operating conditions and during any transient disruptions," and to address service complaints from large industrial customers within 18 months when that does not happen.
The company can complain to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board if Nova Scotia Power does not act within the prescribed time frame. The UARB will have the ability to fine Nova Scotia Power $25,000 a month until the issue is resolved. Companies covered by the new regulations include LaFarge, Port Hawkesbury Paper, Michelin, Highliner Foods and Compass Minerals.
The timeline for Nova Scotia Power to act would begin when a customer brings concerns to the utility, Jreige said in the email.
A spokesperson for Nova Scotia Power said in a statement that the utility is committed to delivering reliable electricity to all customers.
"We welcome performance standards as they provide transparency and accountability to our customers," said Jackie Foster.
Nova Scotia Power currently meets power quality requirements of the Canadian Electrical Code, said Foster, and the new standard requires the utility to provide a certain level of increased power quality for transmission-connected customers.
A good step
Bevan Lock, mill co-manager at Port Hawkesbury Paper, said the company was not one of the ones to raise concerns with the government, although he welcomed the step.
"I do applaud the government in terms of the timely followup," he said in an interview.
"Having some time-bound things on issues such as this, I think, is really positive."
Lock said Port Hawkesbury Paper has had "very few, if any" power quality issues.
"To give kudos to the utility, from a Port Hawkesbury-specific case, if and when we have had any issues like that they have been dealt with in a good way."
Expenses can be passed on
Addressing concerns could require Nova Scotia Power to invest in industrial-scale batteries and other equipment to improve grid resilience, she said.
"They may choose to move to a higher voltage transmission line for some companies, or additional electrical equipment to reduce interruptions."
Nova Scotia Power would not be required to absorb the cost of that work.
According to the regulations, "any expenses reasonably incurred" by Nova Scotia Power to come into compliance with the performance standard "will be allocated across all customer classes as a transmission network resource."
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practiceshttps://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/emera-clean-energy-projects-on-hold-1.6649246
Emera puts clean energy projects in Nova Scotia on hold after rate cap
Provincial government imposed a rate cap on Nova Scotia Power's parent company last month
In a conference call to discuss the power utility's latest financial results, Emera chief executive Scott Balfour said Friday that while the company will continue to make investments in safety and reliability of its network, it won't be able to spend on other projects in the province due to the cap.
"The last capital plan included $500 million in planned investment in the Eastern Clean Energy Initiative, including the Atlantic Loop, to fund new wind generation, transmission, infrastructure upgrades and battery storage to help facilitate the transition away from coal-fired generation," he said.
"Given the restrictions imposed by Bill 212, these cleaner energy investments have been forced to be put on hold as our capital investments at Nova Scotia Power are now required to only focus on maintaining system reliability."
Scott Balfour is CEO of Emera, Nova Scotia Power's parent company. (CBC)
The Atlantic Loop is a proposed $5-billion transmission megaproject, which would give the region more access to Labrador and Quebec hydroelectricity.
The company had applied for a nearly 14 per cent rate hike over two years with the provincial regulator earlier this year, but the province stepped in and passed legislation to limit the power rate increase to 1.8 per cent over the next two years, excluding increases linked to fuel costs.
The changes to the Public Utilities Act also took aim at the utility's profit by preventing the regulator from approving a rate of return on equity any higher than 9.25 per cent, compared with the up to 9.5 per cent requested by Nova Scotia Power.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said last month on Twitter his government would "take the necessary steps to protect you from unfair rate increases while helping to ensure your lights stay on."
However, Emera says the restrictions means it won't be able to invest in what it called decarbonization efforts in Nova Scotia even as it does so elsewhere in its business.
"We remain deeply concerned about the long-term impacts of this legislation to Nova Scotia Power customers as it delays the clean energy transition and will ultimately result in higher, not lower, costs for customers," Balfour said.
Both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have committed to phasing out their coal-fired generation by 2030, while Nova Scotia has enshrined in law its goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to at least 53 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
The comments by Emera came as it reported a third-quarter profit of $167 million or 63 cents per share, compared with a loss of $70 million or 27 cents per share in the same quarter last year.
Operating revenue totalled nearly $1.84 billion for the quarter ending Sept. 30, up from nearly $1.15 billion in the same quarter last year.
On an adjusted basis, Emera said it earned 76 cents per share in its latest quarter, up from an adjusted profit of 68 cents per share in the third quarter of 2021.
Balfour said the growth in the company's earnings was principally driven by continued strong performance from its utilities in Florida.
Ottawa 'very committed' to Atlantic Loop electricity mega project despite pause
'We think it's very much part of the clean energy future of Atlantic Canada,' says Dominic LeBlanc
"If they decide to press pause, whatever that means for them, it doesn't stop engineering work and financial conversations from taking place with other utilities," Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc said in an interview Wednesday.
LeBlanc said negotiations are ongoing "to come to what we hope can be an agreement in principle in the first quarter of 2023."
"We remain very committed as a national government to the project. We think it's very much part of the clean energy future of Atlantic Canada."
The Atlantic Loop would enable the delivery of hydroelectricity from Labrador and Quebec into Maritime provinces that rely mostly on fossil fuels for electricity.
In Nova Scotia, the Loop is seen as key to meeting the legislated requirement to close all coal-fired electricity generating plants by 2030.
But the project's future became less clear last month when the CEO of Emera, Scott Balfour, told CBC News the company was putting the brakes on the Atlantic Loop because of electricity rate caps introduced in Nova Scotia by the Houston government.
The rate cap legislation, which also caps profits and limits spending, passed this week.
"That's one of the first projects that we've said to the team that, you know, we have to push pause on for now," Balfour said Oct. 19.
"There isn't enough money in order to continue to pursue that, let alone the ability for us to go to the investment community and say, you know, 'Please invest more money in Nova Scotia,' in order to enable that kind of project of that kind of scale."
Later this week, Emera will release what projects it intends to cut because of the Nova Scotia Power rate cap when it releases its three-year capital spending plan.
LeBlanc said he's talked to Premier Tim Houston about Nova Scotia's "very legitimate concerns around electricity and power rates."
At
Province House in Halifax on Wednesday, Nova Scotia Natural Resources
Minister Tory Rushton welcomed federal Intergovernmental Affairs
Minister Dominic LeBlanc's vote of confidence in the project. (CBC)
"I totally understand that concern of his government, and he and his utility will obviously find a way through that," said LeBlanc.
LeBlanc's message was to get on with it.
"Where the government of Canada is prepared to be a significant partner in this project, the failure to take this opportunity does not augur well for power rates either. So the problem is not going to go away if people stick their heads in the sand."
Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton, who introduced the Nova Scotia Power rate cap, welcomed LeBlanc's vote of confidence in the project since federal spending is needed to make it happen.
"The biggest portion of funding that we're going to be looking for is from the federal government. It's a capital project. So I'm certainly hopeful that this is encouraging words for Emera and Nova Scotia Power to stay at the table, which they were last week," Rushton said in an interview Wednesday.
LeBlanc would not say how the federal government would fund the Atlantic Loop.
Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc said he is confident the Atlantic Loop will go ahead. (CBC)
He said the Canada Infrastructure Bank and the Department of Finance Canada are part of discussions.
"I think a project of this size and in the rather compressed timelines that we recognize it faces, we need to look at those financial structures in a creative and innovative way. So I would expect that a whole series of options would be part of those conversations."
LeBlanc said Emera is "obviously a key player, and Emera and Nova Scotia have to be part of the project for it to work," but relative to the overall scale of the Atlantic Loop, "Emera was not going to be one of the most significant potential partners in terms of capital investment."
When Emera publicly demurred on the project, Houston downplayed the prospects, saying it was only one way to reach renewable energy targets.
"The Loop discussions have been dragging on. There's always been lots of questions. The federal government has been cagey on how much they will fund, whether they will fund it," Houston said Oct. 21.
LeBlanc said it was a legitimate concern, but urged Houston to be patient.
"The scale of the project is enormous. The government of Canada is not in the electricity transmission business. So we need to rely on information that we're getting from provincial utilities, provincial energy departments. The good news is we're getting that information," LeBlanc said.
"Once we have that information from the provinces and their utilities, I'll be in that position to go to my cabinet colleagues and answer those very precise and legitimate questions that the premiers have in terms of the nature of the federal contribution, the structure of the federal contribution and of course the quantum. That's what everybody wants."
In a statement Wednesday in response to LeBlanc, Emera said the Atlantic Loop is a key part of the best, most effective path to retire coal plants in Nova Scotia — but one that requires federal support.
Cap on power rates approved by Nova Scotia Legislature
Even with the limit on increases, large rate hikes loom due to rising fuel costs
"I think that there's a lot of risk that people have brought up that the government has not responded to in any transparent way," Liberal environment critic Iain Rankin said in an interview.
The government bill restricts the size of the rate increase the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board can award Nova Scotia Power to 1.8 per cent over the next two years. It follows hearings earlier this fall for the utility's first general rate increase application in a decade, but comes before the board could issue its ruling.
Since the bill was introduced, people who often find themselves on different sides of the power rate debate have been united in their concern about the government's approach.
Bill Mahody, the province's consumer advocate, has said that by essentially setting rates from the floor of the legislature, the government is jeopardizing the independence of the UARB. That has a practical effect of weakening investor confidence, which could lead to higher borrow costs and debt payments, Mahody has said.
Such an outcome could lead to higher costs for consumers, he said.
Meanwhile, Nova Scotia Power and its parent, Emera, have warned that without an adequate rate increase, it might not be possible to complete major projects required to meet legislated green energy targets, including no longer using coal to generate electricity by 2030.
Natural Resources and Renewables Minister Tory Rushton said he cannot predict what the future will hold, but said his government had to act in the short term to keep rates as affordable as possible. Rushton and Premier Tim Houston have not ruled out future interventions.
Rushton said he doesn't see the legislation as merely delaying inevitable rate increases.
"I think this is an opportunity that we can take a look at the whole spectrum of how power is delivered in Nova Scotia and I would hope that Nova Scotia Power is going to be at that table as we have conversations to move the whole province forward to a greener energy environment," he said in an interview.
Rushton said his government continues to pursue projects such as the Atlantic Loop, which would bring clean hydro power to Nova Scotia from Quebec and Labrador via an upgraded electricity grid. Emera, however, has raised questions about whether the project is possible with the rate cap.
NDP House leader Susan Leblanc said even with the cap on rate increases, power bills are going to go up by a notable margin. That's because aside from the general rate increase Nova Scotia Power was seeking, the utility is also applying for fuel adjustment costs for the next two years to cover the rising price of oil, gas and coal used to generate electricity.
The province is unable to lessen that expense for ratepayers and Nova Scotia Power has previously said the adjustment could see residential rates increase between 9.6 and 12 per cent.
"We need to make amendments to the Public Utilities Act so that the UARB can regulate Nova Scotia Power in such a way that it protects ratepayers, but at the same time allows Nova Scotia Power to get done what it needs to get done in terms of getting off coal," said Leblanc.
The NDP has previously proposed giving the UARB authority to set a low-income power rate for people who can least afford increases. Rushton has said that's something he wants a special committee to consider when it is established in the coming months.
Houston says he'll intervene in future power rate increase applications if necessary
Consumer advocate has expressed concern about long-term consequences of Bill 212
"We'll do whatever is necessary in any form, in any place, to protect Nova Scotians," Houston told reporters at Province House on Tuesday.
"My obligation is to Nova Scotians. That's where my obligation will always remain."
The premier's comments come a day after the province's consumer advocate expressed concern that Bill 212, which limits the rate increase the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board can award the utility for the next two years, shakes the independence of the board and could lead to higher rates in years to come.
Bill Mahody told the legislature's law amendments committee Monday that by restricting the rate increase to 1.8 per cent over the next two years, the government risks creating a market correction that would drive up Nova Scotia Power's borrowing costs and debt payments — circumstances that would ultimately fall to ratepayers to cover.
Premier Tim Houston says he's convinced Bill 212 will lead to more affordable power for Nova Scotians. (CBC)
Houston said officials with his government "considered every possibility" in drafting the legislation, which comes after the first rate hearings in more than a decade, but before the UARB could deliver its final ruling on the utility's application.
The premier didn't answer directly when asked if he was convinced the bill would not lead to higher borrowing costs for Nova Scotians.
"I'm convinced it will lead to more affordable power for Nova Scotians and that's what my goal is," he said Tuesday.
Mahody was not the only presenter on Monday to express concerns about Bill 212. Nova Scotia Power CEO Peter Gregg said MLAs must choose between supporting the legislation or supporting the province's climate targets of generating 80 per cent of electricity from renewable sources and ending the use of coal for electricity generation by 2030.
Gregg said there is not an affordable, viable way for Nova Scotia Power to meet those targets without the Atlantic Loop and the hydroelectric power it would deliver to the province via Quebec.
Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton said he disagreed with Gregg's framing of the issue. Loop or no loop, he and Houston said they expect Nova Scotia Power to meet its targets.
Natural
Resources Minister Tory Rushton says his government expects Nova Scotia
Power to hit its environmental targets by 2030, even with a cap on its
potential rate increase. (Robert Short/CBC)
Rushton said the constraints his government is placing on the UARB means whatever increase the board grants will amount to a cut for Nova Scotia Power when inflation is considered, but he said the company should be able to shoulder it.
"There is a profit margin there and other businesses around our province and around our country are taking part of their profits to ensure the longevity of their company," he told reporters.
"I expect Nova Scotia Power to do no different."
While Houston and Rushton downplayed Mahody's concerns, Liberal Leader Zach Churchill said they should be cause for pause.
Liberal
Leader Zach Churchill says the government should consider concerns
expressed by the province's consumer advocate about the possible
long-term consequences of Bill 212. (Jeorge Sadi/CBC)
Although he welcomes protection for ratepayers, Churchill said the government risks "cutting off their nose to spite their face" if Mahody's concerns about potential long-term financial pain are not thoroughly considered.
"I feel this government is very reactionary," Churchill told reporters.
"They're really driven to win the headlines of the day, and when you're making decisions like that, you can make some decisions that are bad for the long term of our province and have pretty grave consequences."
NDP Leader Claudia Chender said she is concerned about the government inserting itself into a process that is supposed to be independent.
"The premier seems to want to run the entire government off the side of his desk," she told reporters.
"There are really good reasons why we don't run governments out of one office but we have independent experts who help us to navigate the big decisions and the big dollars attached to government funding and decisions."
NDP
Leader Claudia Chender says there are other ways the government can
intervene in the UARB process without compromising the board's
independence. (CBC)
Chender said the Tory legislation might bring short-term relief for Nova Scotia Power customers, but she said Houston is putting off a bill that will eventually come due the same way the Liberals did when they were in power.
The difference then was the Liberals prevented the UARB from hearing any general rate applications from Nova Scotia Power, while the Tories allowed the hearings to go ahead but stepped in to shape how the decision could look.
If the government wants to intervene around power rates, Chender said it should happen by allowing the UARB to consider a low-income rate based on people's income, creating penalties that can be used if the targets for getting off goal and increasing use of renewables are not met, and stiffening performance standards for Nova Scotia Power.
Nova Scotia will be less than a year from a provincial election when the constraints of Bill 212 expire.
Planned cap on Nova Scotia Power's rate increases would create more problems, MLAs told
Government intervention could have long-term implications, observers say
A proposed bill to cap rate increases for Nova Scotia Power for the next two years may bring short-term satisfaction for ratepayers, but would create a number of long-term problems, according to business and consumer advocates and the company alike.
Speakers appeared before a legislative committee to discuss Bill 212 on Monday, a proposed law that would prevent the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board from granting Nova Scotia Power a rate increase of more than 1.8 per cent over the next two years.
The bill would have no effect on a separate potential rate increase the company is also seeking that is tied to rising fuel costs.
Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton tabled the bill earlier this month after the company's general rate application hearing at the UARB. Rushton previously said he wanted to allow that process to play out, but tabled the bill before the board delivered its decision.
Bill Mahody, the province's consumer advocate, said Bill 212 is problematic because it threatens the independence of the UARB.
Bill Mahody is Nova Scotia's consumer advocate. (CBC)
Mahody told reporters rates are often set below what NSP has requested after an extensive review that cannot be replicated on the floor of the legislature.
"The fear is, that if you take a holiday from the type of diligent regulation we've had, that may substantially drive up your other costs that traditionally we've benefited from," he said.
"This bill, in a single piece of legislation, undoes a track record of regulator performance that's extensive."
For instance, Mahody said, ratepayers benefit from investor confidence in Nova Scotia's regulatory environment which keeps NSP's debt costs down.
That potentially goes out the window if rates can be set at the whim of a given government, he said.
Nova Scotia Power president Peter Gregg addresses a provincial legislative committee on Monday in Halifax. (Michael Gorman/CBC)
Nova Scotia Power president Peter Gregg put the consequences of the bill in stark terms for MLAs: they could support the temporary cap on rates, or they could support the 2030 climate goals that call for the company to end its use of coal to generate electricity and require the use of more renewables.
"You cannot logically support both."
Gregg said the climate action everyone wants from NSP costs money. He said the cap the Tories introduced would mean the reduction of about $150 million in revenue in the next two years compared to what was submitted in the company's rate application.
The company has said the increase it was seeking would amount to about $15 per month more for the average household by 2024.
"I'm not saying that $15 per month is pocket change, but what we are saying is that we need to have a clear conversation of what we're actually saving here."
No viable Plan B to Atlantic Loop
Gregg said a rate cap would force the company to cut capital spending and the proposed Atlantic loop, which would bring hydro power from Quebec into this province, has already been paused.
Gregg said the Atlantic Loop is the best shot for Nova Scotia Power to get off coal by 2030 and he does not see a viable Plan B that would achieve a similar result.
"While there may be technical solutions that could get us there, we're really focused on what is the most affordable and achievable solution, and it's very much at risk today."
Brian Gifford of the Affordable Energy Coalition said the UARB needs to consider a reduced energy rate for low-income customers, yet the proposed bill doesn't address that.
Brian Gifford is with the Affordable Energy Coalition, a group that advocates for policies to end energy poverty. (Michael Gorman/CBC)
Gifford, who has called for the change in the past, noted that the province has the highest rates of energy poverty in the country and that about half of households are heated by fossil fuels.
"If now is not the time to create a regulated low-income rate relief program, when will there ever be a time," he asked MLAs, saying his group "could not be more frustrated."
Gifford was also unhappy that the government brought forward legislation without allowing the UARB to conclude its work, thus interfering with a process that is supposed to be independent.
The best long-term way to deal with energy poverty is through the electrification of transit and the greening of the power grid, said Gifford. He's worried the cap on rate increases will prevent NSP from hitting its efficiency targets by 2030.
"This is the opposite of long-term thinking," he said.
Halifax Chamber of Commerce president Patrick Sullivan said he has members who will welcome the short-term break the legislation will create, but he and many other members worry what the temporary pause means for the future. He also questioned the point of having an independent regulator if the government can sideline it at will.
"By the end of the two-year restriction period, will the current provincial government allow a significant rate hike approximately seven months before the 2025 provincial election?"
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Emera is pausing the Atlantic Loop in the wake of power rate cap legislation
The company says the business climate in N.S. has changed as a result of the imposed rate cap
Emera CEO Scott Balfour told CBC News the company is now rethinking capital spending, starting with the Atlantic Loop — a multi-billion dollar proposed energy corridor to connect the four Atlantic provinces to hydroelectricity from Quebec and Labrador.
The Atlantic Loop is a key part of the strategy to wean Nova Scotia off its reliance on burning fossil fuels to generate electricity.
"That's one of the first projects that we've said to the team that, you know, we have to push pause on for now," Balfour said. "There isn't enough money in order to continue to pursue that, let alone the ability for us to go to the investment community and say, you know, please invest more money in Nova Scotia in order to enable that kind of project of that kind of scale."
Emera is responding to amendments to the provincial Public Utilities Act introduced this week by Nova Scotia's Progessive Conservative government.
The legislation imposes a 1.8 per cent cap on electricity rate increases for two years — money that must be spent on operation and maintenance.
Fuel costs will continue to flow through to customers.
Scott Balfour is CEO of Emera, Nova Scotia Power's parent company. (CBC)
The amendments also cap the guaranteed rate of return at 9.25 per cent, ensure all excess profits be returned to ratepayers to lower their costs and limit the interest that Nova Scotia Power can charge ratepayers.
The amendments pre-empt — or "kneecap," in Balfour's view — an ongoing Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board hearing into Nova Scotia Power's first general rate application in a decade.
The company is seeking a 13.7 per cent increase over two years, with skyrocketing fuel costs still yet to be determined for 2024 and 2025.
'Very new territory'
Board members were set to deliver a decision on the complex case in the new year.
"This is very new territory in North America for a government to intervene in an independent regulatory process and one I'm deeply concerned about," Balfour said.
In a release this week, Emera said the amendments will result in "a material reduction" in the approximately $1 billion in capital spending planned by Nova Scotia Power in 2023 and 2024.
"The reductions imposed by this legislation will impede Emera and NS Power's ability to advance clean energy investments in the province which were specifically required to meet shared 2030 decarbonization goals. This includes planned investments such as wind generation, grid scale batteries, and enhancements to the interprovincial transmission system," Emera said.
Exactly where Emera plans to cut will become clear on Nov. 11, when the company releases its three-year capital spending plan in a call with investors.
To cut costs immediately, the company cancelled 60 new reliability-related jobs outlined in Nova Scotia Power's 2022 general rate application.
Government response to Atlantic Loop pause
The government was asked on Friday about Emera's decision to press pause on the Atlantic Loop and downplayed its significance.
"I'm not too worried about it to be honest," said Natural Resources and Renewables Minister Tory Rushton, who introduced the rate cap legislation.
"I'm disappointed that Emera and Nova Scotia Power would state that, to be quite honest. But there's many other conversations that can take place with other stakeholders that could be interested in that as well. But it's early days and there's still conversations going on," he said.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston acknowledged the importance of the Atlantic Loop saying it "would make it easier" to achieve the province's requirement that all electricity be from renewable sources by 2030.
"The Loop discussions have been dragging on. There's always been lots of questions. The federal government has been cagey on whether they'll fund it, how much they'll fund it.," he said.
"That's why we've always been focused on other ways to help us meet our targets: wind, solar, hydrogen."
Opposition reaction
Opposition parties that support the rate cap questioned whether the government was prepared for Emera's reaction.
"We've had questions about the Atlantic Loop for years and we have several times asked this government what's Plan B? And we've heard, 'Oh, there's Plan B, there's Plan B.' We've never heard what it is. Obviously it's concerning. We need to meet our targets," said NDP Leader Claudia Chender.
"It's clear that the government moved on a piece of legislation without thinking about what the consequences would be on that front," said Liberal Leader Zach Churchill.
Jacob Thompson with the Halifax-based environmental group Ecology Action Centre said the rate cap may help with affordability in the short term but at a price.
"The risk of lowering the increase over the next two years is that we potentially put off our climate plans for two years or more," he said.
Emera shares dropped nearly five per cent Wednesday when the rate cap was announced. The stock was down another three per cent Thursday, closing at $49.99 a share
Emera's future in Halifax
Headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia Power generates just 15 per cent of Emera earnings.
Balfour would not answer directly when asked if Emera will remain in the province.
"It's impossible not to look through the lens of our continued investment and growth in Nova Scotia differently today than we did," he said.
"Nova Scotia remains home, but our focus in terms of future growth and job creation and all those things, by necessity out of this legislation will increasingly focus elsewhere."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Oct 19, 2022
Today’s announcement by the Government of Nova
Scotia poses serious risks to our ability to continue to serve our
customers reliably and prepare for Nova Scotia’s future energy needs.
Customers
count on us to deliver reliable electricity, every day. It’s why we
work to strengthen our system across the province and why we work to
restore power safely and as quickly as possible after storms like
Hurricane Fiona.
The local and global economy have been
faced with many challenges since we filed our general rate application
(GRA) earlier this year. We know many Nova Scotians are facing difficult
times because of these pressures and we’re sensitive to the impact of
any increase in electricity rates. We have a responsibility to manage
costs and keep power bills as low as possible. This is why our team of
more than 2,000 Nova Scotians works to ensure we’re operating as
efficiently and effectively as possible– a focus that has enabled us to
avoid an increase in non-fuel power rates for the last 10 years despite
rising operational costs over that time.
As an electric
utility with strong regulatory oversight, we’re disappointed and
concerned that the Government of Nova Scotia would use legislation to
override what is meant to be a politically independent process.
As
part of our rate application, we requested over $500 million to
strengthen our energy infrastructure and fund 60 new front-line jobs
directly related to reliability. Today’s proposed legislation limits
this planned investment and the amount of storm preparedness and system
hardening we can do in the province. As recent storms including
Hurricane Fiona have made clear, severe storms will keep coming. Putting
off these critical investments until later is not a solution.
This
proposed legislation would impede our ability to meet targets set by
the Province to reach 80% renewable energy and be off coal by 2030.
We’ve been focused on meeting these targets because they’re critical to
building a sustainable energy future. But we can’t meet them without
making the investments needed to get there.
As we work over
the coming days and weeks to fully understand the impacts of this
proposed legislation, our team of dedicated Nova Scotians remains
committed to delivering safe, reliable and cleaner energy to our
customers. Serving our customers will always be our focus, despite the
constraints imposed by this proposed legislation.
-30-
Forward Looking Information
This
statement contains forward-looking information within the meaning of
applicable securities laws. By its nature, forward-looking information
requires Nova Scotia Power to make assumptions and is subject to
inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements reflect Nova Scotia
Power management’s current beliefs and are based on information
currently available to Nova Scotia Power management. There is a risk
that predictions, forecasts, conclusions and projections that constitute
forward-looking information will not prove to be accurate, that Nova
Scotia Power’s assumptions may not be correct and that actual results
may differ materially from such forward-looking information. Additional
detailed information about these assumptions, risks and uncertainties is
included in Nova Scotia Power’s securities regulatory filings,
including under the heading “Enterprise Risks and Risk Management” in
Nova Scotia Power’s annual Management’s Discussion and Analysis, and
under the heading “Principal Financial Risks and Uncertainties” in the
notes to Nova Scotia Power’s annual and interim financial statements,
which can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
About Nova Scotia Power
Nova
Scotia Power Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Emera Inc. (TSX-EMA),
a diversified energy and services company. Nova Scotia Power provides
95% of the generation, transmission and distribution of electrical power
to more than 540,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers
across Nova Scotia. The company is focused on new technologies to
enhance customer service and reliability, reduce emissions and add
renewable energy. Nova Scotia Power has over 2,000 employees and $4.5
billion in operating assets. Learn more at www.nspower.ca.
Media Contact:
Jacqueline Foster
NSP Senior Communications Advisor
902-225-4735
Jacqueline.foster@nspower.cahttps://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-power-rates-fuel-costs-1.6621990
Proposed legislation would limit rate increases for Nova Scotia Power
NSP says new law would hurt its plans to improve reliability of electrical system
Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton tabled amendments to the Public Utilities Act on Wednesday that heads off a proposed rate increase Nova Scotia Power is seeking from the Utility and Review Board.
"For the next two years, we are controlling what we can control," Rushton told reporters during a bill briefing.
"With this legislation, we are giving the UARB the tools they need to ensure Nova Scotians pay the lowest cost possible for their power."
While the legislation would limit the potential increase to 1.8 per cent over two years, it does not address the effect major increases in fuel costs could have on rates. NSP recently tabled documents with the utility board showing residential rates could go up by 23 to 25 per cent over the next three years without some form of mitigation.
Rushton said fuel is an "unavoidable" cost that everyone, including the power corp, must deal with. He said the government is trying to soften the blow. The province recently provided relief to Nova Scotia Power related to its requirement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, resulting in an estimated $165 million in savings.
"We made a dent in it, but government cannot foot the whole bill," said Rushton.
The allowable rate increase is estimated to be worth $25 million to $30 million, all of which must go toward increasing service reliability including better management of trees. Rushton said about 90 per cent of power outages are caused by trees falling on power lines.
Nova
Scotia Power's president said in a statement that the government's
proposed legislation is an attempt to override the independence of the
province's Utility and Review Board. (CBC)
The amendments will also prevent the UARB from being able to approve Nova Scotia Power's requests to increase its rate of return, or keep any excess profits.
Rushton said private businesses need to make a profit, "but now is not the time for a utility to be looking for more."
The government has previously resisted calls from opposition politicians to act sooner, saying it wanted to allow the general rate application process to play out. The UARB is expected to rule on the application later this year.
In a statement, Nova Scotia Power president Peter Gregg said utility officials are "disappointed and concerned that the Government of Nova Scotia would use legislation to override what is meant to be a politically independent process."
"As part of our rate application, we requested over $500 million to strengthen our energy infrastructure and fund 60 new front-line jobs directly related to reliability," Gregg said in the statement.
Nova
Scotia Power is moving away from coal-fired electricity to renewable
sources such as wind. The company says they won't be able to meet
climate-change goals if the government passes a new law proposed
Wednesday. (Tom Ayers/CBC)
"Today's proposed legislation limits this planned investment and the amount of storm preparedness and system hardening we can do in the province."
Gregg also said the measure threatens the company's ability to meet legislated greenhouse gas reduction targets that include ending the use of coal to generate electricity and generating 80 per cent of power from renewable sources by 2030.
Rushton said he expects Nova Scotia Power to meet those targets.
"Every business in Nova Scotia, every business in Canada is facing high inflation. Every business is making hard decisions to see themselves over those hurdles and I would expect Nova Scotia Power to do no different."
Liberal environment and climate change critic Iain Rankin said the limit on rate increases is a start, but the government must find more ways to reduce the effects of rising fuel costs.
"It's kind of late. They waited for a [general rate application] hearing to start. I'm not sure why that is, but it's a step in the right direction."
Rankin said dealing with fuel costs will be a challenge, and so it's even more vital to make a quick transition to renewable energy.
"Nova Scotia Power, I think, does own some of that responsibility. They've relied on coal for a long time. I think that they could have acted quicker."
NDP environment and climate change critic Susan Leblanc said the legislation is only a temporary measure and will still lead to some people having to choose between paying their rent or their power bill.
Leblanc said the bill does present time to find ways to keep power rates as affordable as possible while making good on the province's environmental commitments.
"We have to get off coal by 2030 and we have to green our grid and that is going to cost money," she told reporters.
"We have to figure out ways of making sure that that can be done by the dates that we need to do them by."
Fuel costs mean Nova Scotia Power rates could spike again in the coming years
Without mitigation measures residential rates could rise by 23 to 25% over the next 3 years
Without mitigation measures residential rates could rise by 23 to 25 per cent over the next three years.
The company filed documents Friday in response to a directive from the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board to estimate the potential impact of rising fuel costs on rates in 2024 and 2025.
The company has not asked for this level of increase and says the scenario does not include any efforts to reduce fuel costs.
NSP seeks 13% increase starting in 2023
The company is seeking an overall 13 per cent hike over the next two years.
The application does not take into account the impact of its escalating fuel bill on rates in 2024 and 2025.
The company intends to start recovering those costs in a separate case next fall.
During public hearings last month the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board asked for an estimate as part of this case.
The Tufts Cove smokestack in Dartmouth, N.S. (CBC)
It asked for the impact on rates assuming fuel and purchased power costs are consistent with Nova Scotia Power's latest fuel update, released this summer.
Fuel is the coal, oil and natural gas burned to generate electricity at its thermal plants. Purchased power is primarily what it pays for wind power.
The potential impact
Factoring in expected fuel costs adds another 9.6 to 12 per cent to the residential rate increase the utility is currently seeking — depending on how and when fuel costs are recovered.
In one scenario residential rates could rise 10.6 per cent in 2023, 6.3 per cent in January 2024 and 6.6 per cent in January 2025 for an overall increase of 23.5 per cent.
In another scenario, using rate smoothing, rates could increase 6.9 per cent in 2023, 11.6 per cent in 2024 and 7.3 per cent in 2025 — a potential 25.8 per cent increase over three years.
Company spokesperson Jackie Foster says the 25 per cent increase is "a scenario where no fuel cost mitigation efforts were taken."
Not a done deal
"I accept that if the fuel numbers come in as expected that is what the increases would eventually look like," said consumer advocate Bill Mahody, who represents residential customers in regulatory hearings.
Proceedings are still underway and the board has made no decision on how it will treat recovery of the fuel bill.
"The company is not looking to put all of that in rates now, but the reality is customers should be very much aware that the best estimate is that this is where costs are going," Mahody said.
A
Nova Scotia Power worker in a cherry picker repairs powerlines. Company
spokesperson Jackie Foster says the 25 per cent increase is a 'scenario
where no fuel cost mitigation efforts were taken.' (Robert Short/CBC)
The overall average for all customer classes ranges between 23.9 to 27.7 per cent over the three years.
Ratepayers may need to pony up half a billion dollars
Nova Scotia Power's fuel costs have added a layer of complexity to its general rate application, which is the first in a decade.
As a cost-of-service utility, which is entitled to recover prudently incurred costs, ratepayers are on the hook for the huge spike in the fuel bill facing the company.
Nova Scotia Power updated its fuel forecast in August, revealing the cost of fuel between 2022 and 2024 is $681 million higher than the amount in its rate application submitted earlier this year.
The blow to ratepayers was softened this year by $165 million in greenhouse gas emission relief provided by the province, but it still leaves $516 million in higher fuel costs expected in 2023 and 2024.
On the eve of the hearing, the proposed rate increased from 10 per cent to 11.6 per cent to cover $113 million in higher fuel costs this year. Even then recovery was spread over three years. Fuel costs in upcoming years are unaccounted for in the rate application.
During the rate hearing Nova Scotia Power said it will wait until next fall to submit its plans to recover the fuel bill.
Then there is the federal carbon tax.
If Ottawa rejects Nova Scotia's proposal to collect the tax, it could impose the "federal backstop program," which Nova Scotia Power says would cost $243 million over the next two years.
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
Nova Scotia Power rate ask now tops 13 per cent and counting, says consumer advocate
With hearings concluded, UARB must now decide on 16 separate issues presented by the company
The two-week Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board hearing came too late in the year to put a rate increase into effect in 2022, as Nova Scotia Power intended.
The compressed recovery time over two years and additional fuel costs increased the original ask, says consumer advocate Bill Mahody, who represented residential customers at the hearing.
"I think we learned a lot," Mahody said at the end of Friday's hearings. "We learned from the company's perspective that their request of the board is a 6.8 per cent annual increase in both 2023 and 2024.
"The impact on different customer classes is still to be determined and will be filed later. So we don't know the full impact of the residential class."
Nova Scotia Power declined comment until the three-member panel issues its decision on the application.
Board chair Stephen McGrath said new rates will not be in place by Jan. 1, either.
'This is a significant hearing'
"This is a significant hearing," McGrath said in his closing remarks. "Nova Scotia Power hasn't been before the board for a general rate application since 2012, and there are a number of decision points in this proceeding that the board needs to think about carefully in terms of rendering a decision."
Regulators must decide on 16 separate issues presented by the company. A decision is expected sometime in early 2023.
Nova Scotia Power proposes to keep its rate of return at nine per cent, but expand the band of allowable earnings to a low of 8.5 per cent and upper limit of 9.5 per cent.
Consumer advocate Bill Mahody represented residential customers at the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board hearing. (CBC)
The Emera subsidiary also wants regulators to increase the proportion of shareholder money it can use to pay for capital projects from 37 to 45 per cent.
If approved, it would allow Nova Scotia Power to earn a nine per cent rate of return on 20 per cent more of the money it spends on capital projects.
Finally, it is asking for a new "earning sharing mechanism" that would give the company half of excess profits earned above its approved nine per cent rate of return.
Proposed storm charge
Right now, all excess earnings go to reduce fuel costs for ratepayers.
"I can't imagine how it could be seen as being an appropriate request of this board at this time," said Mahody.
Nova Scotia Power is proposing a new storm charge that would allow it to collect up to two per cent more per year from ratepayers to pay for extreme weather events.
Nova
Scotia Power is proposing a new storm charge that would allow it to
collect up to two per cent more per year from ratepayers to pay for
extreme weather events. (CBC)
The storm rider would allow it to recover any money spent above the amount embedded in rates to cover the costs of dealing with severe storms — about $10.5 million per year.
The rider only goes one way — to the benefit of the company.
If storm costs come in below what is set in rates, the company keeps the difference. There is no refund to customers.
Decarbonization deferral account
The company also wants to create an account to spread out the cost of retiring its coal fired plants by 2030. It says unrecovered depreciation in the account will sit at over $600 million at the end of the decade.
The company must persuade the board that existing depreciation rules need to be changed.
There are also key issues that loomed over the rate hearing but were not resolved.
During
the hearings, Nova Scotia Power said the cost of closing its coal
plants and transitioning to a greener electricity grid will likely cost
more than $2 billion this decade. (CBC)
One is the federal carbon tax.
An agreement with the province that averted the tax expires at the end of 2022. It's not clear what will replace it.
Ottawa could impose the "federal backstop program" which Nova Scotia Power said would cost it $243 million over the next two years. That is not accounted for in the rate application.
Fuel cost spike
Ratepayers are also on the hook for the huge spike in fuel costs facing Nova Scotia Power.
The company updated its fuel forecast this summer, revealing the cost of fuel between 2022 and 2024 is $681 million higher than the amount in its application submitted earlier this year.
On the eve of the hearing, the proposed rate increased from 10 percent to 11.6 percent to cover the fuel bill to the end of 2022.
The blow was softened by $165 million in greenhouse gas emission relief provided by the province, but it still leaves $516 million in higher fuel costs expected in 2023 and 2024.
The company says it will wait until next fall to submit its plans to recover the fuel bill.
Nova Scotia Power will miss renewables standard — again
Company faces $10M penalty, suggests shareholders shouldn't have to pay
The company blamed delayed deliveries of hydro electricity from Muskrat Falls for missing the target. The requirement was imposed to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Nova Scotia Power was supposed to get 40 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by the end of 2020.
That deadline was extended when the problem-plagued Muskrat Falls hydro project in Newfoundland and Labrador failed to deliver any of the contracted "Nova Scotia Block" electricity across the Cabot Strait into Nova Scotia.
The province tweaked the rules allowing the company to deliver a three-year average of 40 per cent renewables by the end of 2022.
Roland Deveau, the vice-chairman of the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, asked Nova Scotia Power vice-president David Landrigan about it on Thursday at hearings into the company's application for an 11.6 per cent rate increase.
The Nova Scotia Block of Muskrat Falls hydro only arrived this year in any kind of volume. (CBC)
"We're forecasting being over 40 per cent for the 2022 year but not for the three-year average. So no," Landrigan said.
"So it wouldn't comply with the alternate compliance plan?" Deveau asked.
"It would not," Landrigan replied.
Nova Scotia Power is now facing a major financial penalty. But regulations stipulate that shareholders — not customers — have to pay.
Since Nova Scotia only began to receive Muskrat Falls hydro in any kind of volume beginning this year, Landrigan suggested the company may not be liable for the $10-million penalty.
"The delivery of the Nova Scotia Block was a critical component and it's actually written in the renewable electricity standard," he said. "We believe that's beyond our control where that's been."
Beyond its impact on meeting renewable energy standards, problems at the Muskrat Falls megaproject also contributed to Nova Scotia Power's skyrocketing fuel bill.
Fuel costs are now forecast to be $516 million higher than the amount recovered in 2023 and 2024 from ratepayers. Around 20 per cent is attributed to Muskrat Falls.
In addition to a shortfall of the Nova Scotia Block, the company did not get 2,700-gigawatt hours of additional market-priced, and cheaper, hydroelectricity it had counted on from Muskrat Falls.
It had to buy higher-priced energy elsewhere.
"You had to go find replacement energy in the midst of a Ukraine-Russia crisis, is that right?," Deveau asked.
Brendan Chard, Nova Scotia Power's director of portfolio optimization, said coal prices have increased from $70 US a tonne to $200 US per tonne in its fuel cost forecast for 2024. In the short term, coal is selling at $500 US per tonne.
"So it's really an unprecedented increase in global commodity prices," Chard said.
On Thursday, Nova Scotia Power said it is in ongoing talks with Nalcor, the owner of Muskrat Falls, about the "equity" of being forced to buy high because of delivery delays.
Amid the move to a greener grid, Nova Scotia Power considers buying Donkin coal
Disclosure made under questioning at application hearing to raise rates by 11.6 per cent by 2024
Nova Scotia Power is negotiating with the owners of the recently reopened Donkin mine in Cape Breton to secure a domestic source of coal.
The company made the disclosure Wednesday under questioning at hearings into its application for an 11.6 per cent rate increase by 2024.
"I'll limit my response to, 'We're in detailed discussions,'" Nova Scotia Power's vice-president commercial David Landrigan told the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (UARB).
"We're in confidential discussions in the pursuit of a commercial arrangement with them."
Kameron Coal of West Virginia owns the mine, which reopened this month after a two-year shutdown.
The negotiations are another reminder that even as it transitions to a grid supplied by 80 per cent renewables by 2030, Nova Scotia Power still relies on burning fossil fuels — including coal, natural gas and oil — to generate electricity.
Kameron Coal of West Virginia owns the Donkin mine. (Tom Ayers/CBC)
Soaring fuel prices prompted the company to increase its ask to 11.6 per cent — up from the 10 per cent it applied for earlier this year.
Earlier this month, Nova Scotia Power updated its fuel forecast showing fuel costs are $681 million higher than the May 2021 forecast it used in its original application.
This matters because fuel costs are automatically passed on to ratepayers.
To prevent rate shock, the Nova Scotia government waived carbon emission penalties worth $165 million and the company deferred or put off recovering fuel costs in rates.
"Under your proposal, ratepayers will finish paying for 2022 fuel costs in December of 2025, is that correct?" consumer advocate Bill Mahody, representing residential customers, asked Michael Willett, Nova Scotia Power's director of regulatory finance.
"That is the proposal, correct," Willet replied.
Next two years uncertain
The next two years are even more uncertain.
The rate application omits recovery of $516 million in higher fuel costs forecast for 2023 and 2024.
"Your best estimate (for 2023) is that there's somewhere in the range of $200 million in fuel costs that customers are going to face that are not currently in the rates that you've applied for," Mahody said.
"Could I see a scenario where it's significantly reduced? Yes, but a lot of good things have to happen and a lot of cooperation on some aspects. I can see a scenario. Is it going to be hard to do and is it a lot of heavy lifting? Yes," Landrigan replied.
It's not just fossil fuels.
The company did not get 2,700 gigawatt hours of additional market priced, and cheaper, hydroelectricity it had counted on from the Muskrat Falls hydro project in Labrador.
Storm rider
That loss makes up some of the $516 million in higher fuel costs.
"Our estimate is it would be under 20 per cent of that total … But we don't have it refined to how much," Landrigan said.
The company continued to take questions Wednesday about a proposed storm rider.
A storm rider would allow Nova Scotia Power to add up to two per cent per year to rates to recover the cost of responding to severe storms — if the cost came in over the $10 million set aside in rates.
Board counsel Bruce Outhouse wanted to know if the company would seek the storm rider if it earned its nine per cent rate of return.
"If you were at that nine per cent, surely you wouldn't expect the board to consider an application to get extra money for storm costs, would you?," Outhouse asked.
Selective Dorian requests
Nova Scotia Power finance director Craig Flemming would not make that commitment. Flemming said the company would not apply if it was at the top end of its allowed range of earnings which the company wants set at 9.5 per cent.
If the board denies the storm rider, the company wants permission to charge ratepayers $20 million per year to cover severe storms.
The figure incorporated the cost of responding to Hurricane Dorian in 2019, the most expensive storm in the company's history.
Board member Steven Murphy noted the company is selective in how it uses Hurricane Dorian in matters before the regulator.
The company asked for and was granted permission to exclude its response to Dorian when the board was evaluating its performance for 2019.
"Why do you think it would be appropriate to include Hurricane Dorian costs when Nova Scotia Power applied for and received board approval to have Hurricane Dorian removed from any metrics related to calculating Nova Scotia Power's performance standards?," Murphy asked.
CBC's Journalistic Standards and PracticesNova Scotia Power defends adding charges to cover storm damage at hearing into proposed rate increases
Proposal would allow utility to collect more from ratepayers to pay for extreme weather events
As part of its application to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (UARB) for a general 11.6 per cent rate increase, the company is also asking for a "storm cost recovery rider" that would allow it to collect up to two per cent more per year from ratepayers to pay for extreme weather events.
Eric Ferguson, senior director for pricing and transformational regulatory Initiatives at N.S. Power, said Tuesday in Halifax the storm rider would be used sparingly.
"It's not the company's objective to have the rider every year, it's the objective to make the application when it's only absolutely necessary,'' Ferguson said.
In testimony on Wednesday, Ferguson said if the storm rider is approved it would not be used before 2025.
Why customer groups are wary
Here's why lawyers and consultants representing NSP customer groups are suspicious.
Nova Scotia Power wants to charge customers $10-million to pay for severe storm-related damage next year. That amount would be embedded in rates.
The proposed storm rider would allow it to recover any money spent above embedded rates related to severe storms.
The rider only goes one way — to the benefit of the company. If storm costs come in below what is set in rates, the company keeps the difference. There is no refund for consumers.
A
tree uprooted by Hurricane Dorian in 2019 fell on power lines over
Grand Lake Road in Reserve Mines, which led to the closure of the road
for several hours. (Tom Ayers/CBC)
Company wins either way
In regulatory terms it is considered an "asymmetrical" mechanism.
"The criticism about the asymmetric nature was that it unreasonably favours [NSP Inc.] shareholders. That was articulated in the consultants' evidence," said Nancy Rubin, representing NSP's large customers.
"Yes," acknowledged Ferguson. "The company could recover over expenditures, but there wasn't a provision for refund of under expenditures."
Ferguson said NSP would not apply for a storm rider if the revenue it brings in would exceed its approved earnings or rate of return currently set at nine per cent.
The limitation is not in the company's application.
Hurricane
Dorian left a trail of downed trees and power lines in its wake. NSP's
finance director said the 2019 weather event created $17-million in
unanticipated costs for the company. (CBC)
But NSP finance director Craig Flemming said the company ate $17-million in unanticipated costs from Hurricane Dorian in 2019 because it was still able to earn its approved rate of return that year.
If the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board rejects its bid for a storm rider, the company is asking to embed $20-million per year in rates to pay for storm damage.
Keeping trees off lines
NSP promised to provide a "full picture" of vegetation management — regulatory speak for tree trimming — after consumer advocate Bill Mahody noted the amount it spent in 2020 and 2021 dropped to an average of $4.2-million — half the average between 2010 and 2019.
The company said tree trimming costs show up in a variety of areas of the business and committed to a breakdown.
NSP ratepayers on hook for $3M settlement with Eastlink, Rogers
NSP disclosed Tuesday it expects ratepayers to cover the $3-million a year it lost in revenue because of its settlement with Eastlink, Rogers and Xplornet. The telecommunications companies were fighting a proposed 165 per cent increase in the attachment fee charged for using NSP owned poles.
NSP was counting on getting $7.5-million from raising the fee from $14 per pole per year to $37.
A
man walks by a Rogers store in Toronto in this 2013 file photo. Nova
Scotia Power disclosed Tuesday it expects ratepayers to pay for the
$3-million a year it lost in revenue because of its settlement with
Eastlink, Rogers and Xplornet. (Galit Rodan/The Canadian Press)
Michael Willett, director regulatory finance for N.S. Power, said the fee increase was based on flawed information, including double counting overtime, an inaccurate pole count and expenses added that were not part of the pole attachment fee last approved by the board in 2002.
The recent settlement of $22 per pole reduced the take to $4.5-million.
"That incremental $3-million gap, is that to be recovered from other customers," asked Mahody.
In response, Willet said, "We operate on a cost-of-service model so that is correct. Those costs would need to be recovered.
The hearing resumes Wednesday.
Corrections
- Nova Scotia Power wants to charge customers $10-million to pay for severe storm-related damage next year. That amount would be embedded in rates. A previous version of this story contained an incorrect amount, and has been corrected.Sep 21, 2022 11:50 AM AT
Nova Scotia Power settles with telecom companies over fees to attach equipment to its poles
Deal will see 3 telecommunications companies pay an annual attachment fee of $22 per pole
The deal will see three telecommunications companies pay an annual attachment fee of $22 for each power pole carrying their equipment including telephone wirelines and fibre optic cable for high speed internet and TV services. That marks a 55 per cent increase from the current $14 fee, but far below the $37 per pole, or 165 per cent increase, Nova Scotia Power was seeking in its general rate application.
The agreement will also see a further two per cent increase in 2023 and 2024.
The settlement with Bragg Communications — operating as Eastlink, Rogers Communications Canada and Xplornet Communications — was posted Friday by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (UARB).
The pole fee changes were part of Nova Scotia Power's application for an overall increase in power rates of 11.6 per cent by the end of 2024.
The telecommunications companies had objected to the proposed 165 per cent attachment fee increase.
Cost to use poles
They argued it threatens to make rural service less economic, would slow expansion in rural areas and unfairly advantaged rival Bell Aliant since Bell does not pay the fee under a long-standing pole-sharing arrangement with Nova Scotia Power.
Nova Scotia Power argued the fee had not changed in 20 years and Bell pays "significantly " more than its rivals to use its poles. The cost per pole, however, was blacked out in Nova Scotia Power's rebuttal evidence.
Nova Scotia Power owns 500,000 power poles. Bell Aliant also owns poles — a legacy of its days as a phone monopoly.
Eastlink senior vice-president of engineering and chief technology officer Steve Irvine submitted evidence saying the change would cost the company $3.5 million a year.
Eastlink declined to comment on the settlement on Monday.
'Significant impact' on business
Rogers, which recently purchased Seaside Cable in Cape Breton, said the $37 fee would cost it $300,000 per year. Seaside Cable manager Dean Abbass said the annual cost to subscribers would nearly triple to $45.
Xplornet is delivering a $6.1-million hybrid fibre-wireless expansion in Cumberland and Colchester Counties involving 19 wireless towers and 500 kilometres of new fibre. It needs Nova Scotia Power poles.
"An increase in the annual attachment fee will have a significant impact on our business," regulatory counsel Carl MacQuarrie said in written evidence.
Nova Scotia Power's proposed profit hike challenged at utility hearings
Debate over how much money the privately owned utility can make is expected to continue for a month
The company is before the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (UARB) seeking an 11.6 per cent rate hike over the next two years.
It says it faces disproportionate risk this decade because of the huge cost of transitioning the province's electricity generating system away from burning coal as a fuel.
The company is required by the provincial government to close coal fired plants by 2030 and use power supplied from 80 per cent renewable sources. The company predicts that by 2029, ratepayers will be on the hook for $658 million in depreciation to write off its coal plants before their useful lives.
Nova Scotia Power argues it needs to improve profitability in order to attract investors and protect its credit rating as it transforms to a greener grid.
Pennsylvania State University finance professor J. Randall Woolridge, appearing on behalf of the consumer advocate representing Nova Scotia Power's residential customers, said that risk is not showing up as a red flag in credit reports.
Assessing risks
"The credit reports I read for utilities all talk about the transformation of their fleets and how that has to be financed. So it's not unique. That's what utilities have to do these days," Woolridge said.
University of Toronto finance professor Laurence Booth appeared on behalf of the UARB's counsel.
The Nova Scotia UARB hearings are expected to last the rest of the month. (CBC)
Booth said Canadian utilities face lower business risk thanks to protective Canadian regulators.
"How would you like to get nine per cent pretty much guaranteed in your RRSP or outside of your RRSP, the way that NSPI [Nova Scotia Power Inc.] is earning its allowed greater return for the last 10 years?" he testified.
Both Woolridge and Booth challenged evidence from a Nova Scotia Power expert witness, James Coyne, the senior vice-president of Concentric Energy Advisors.
Coyne says Nova Scotia Power's efforts to improve profitability are justified, calling it the "the lowest capitalized, vertically integrated stock in North America."
'Earning sharing mechanism'
In its rate application, the company is seeking to maintain its nine per cent return on equity (ROE) but expand the lower and upper earnings band to allow for a maximum of 9.5 rate of return.
It has also proposed an "earnings sharing mechanism" that would give it — for the first time — half of earnings above its rate of return. Right now excess earnings go back into the business to reduce costs for ratepayers.
Nova Scotia Power, a subsidiary of Halifax-based Emera, wants regulators to increase the proportion of shareholder money it can use to pay for capital projects from 37 to 45 per cent.
If approved, it would allow Nova Scotia Power to earn a nine per cent rate of return on 20 per cent more of the money it spends on capital projects. For ratepayers, it would mean paying a nine per cent rate of interest rather than the much lower rate when the company borrows the money from the bank.
Coyne testified that Nova Scotia Power deserves a higher rate of return than it is seeking when compared to returns earned by other utilities, especially U.S. utilities.
"My analysis shows that 10.1 per cent is a reasonable and market-based ROE for Nova Scotia Power," Coyne told the board on Thursday.
Hearings into the rate application will resume Tuesday and are expected to continue for the rest of the month.
Green electricity transition could top $2B: Nova Scotia Power
The estimate emerged during hearings on the utility's latest rate hike application
Nova Scotia Power says the cost of closing its coal plants and transitioning to a greener electricity grid will likely cost more than $2 billion this decade, but how much of that will fall on ratepayers is not yet clear.
The estimate emerged Wednesday at the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (UARB) hearing on the company's application for an 11.6 per cent rate increase between now and 2024. The hearing is in its third day.
"Our focus has been on the $2 billion. I would say that's a figure we've been focused on for probably two years and I would say costs have gone up since that time," Nova Scotia Power president Peter Gregg told regulators hearing the company's application.
The company is in the midst of hearings dominated by rate shock looming over Nova Scotia Power customers as the utility moves from burning coal and other fossil fuels to generate electricity to a grid supplied by 80 per cent renewables by 2030.
Nova Scotia Power — and the Houston government — are turning a hopeful eye to the federal government.
"From a national perspective, 55 per cent of the cost to eliminate coal for Canada rests in Nova Scotia. We're 2.9, or three per cent of the total Canadian population. It's a big burden for Nova Scotians and that's been the basis of our ask of the federal government," Gregg said.
More big numbers on third day of hearings
Part of the solution is the Atlantic Loop — the proposed transmission corridor to connect Atlantic provinces to hydroelectricity from Labrador and Quebec.
The Nova Scotia Power president said the overall cost of $5 billion often used in media reports is probably an underestimate.
"It may be higher than that," Gregg said.
The
Atlantic Loop would expand the electrical grid connections between
Quebec and New Brunswick and New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to provide
greater access to renewable electricity, like hydro from Quebec. (CBC)
Gregg was repeatedly pressed for details on Nova Scotia Power's contribution to the Atlantic Loop.
Board vice-chair Roland Deveau wanted to know if there was anything more than a previously announced $350-million transmission line between Onslow, N.S. and Sussex N.B.
"Yes. primarily it would be a contribution to the remaining transmission elements of the Atlantic Loop … a portion of the infrastructure to import the power," said Gregg.
"From outside the province?" asked Deveau.
"Right," replied Gregg.
Gregg said he did not know what that would cost.
Grim numbers
Negotiations between the company and federal government are ongoing, including talks between Gregg and officials planned Wednesday night.
In the meantime, the costs facing ratepayers are being examined at the UARB hearing, taking place in a large church hall in Halifax.
The numbers are grim.
Peter
Gregg, president of Nova Scotia Power, speaks with reporters ahead of
Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board hearings that began Monday, Sept.
12, 2022. Nova Scotia Power is looking for an 11.6 per cent rate
increase over the next two years. (CBC)
Between 2022 and 2024, fuel burned to generate electricity is now forecast to cost nearly $700 million more than the May 2021 estimates used to prepare the Nova Scotia Power application — which was for 10 per cent when first submitted earlier this year.
The unrecovered fuel costs for 2022 — some $114 million — will be collected in rates over several years.
Nova Scotia Power will submit its plan to recover the remaining fuel costs next fall.
Looming carbon tax
The company predicts that by 2029, ratepayers will be on the hook for $658 million in depreciation to write off its coal plants before their useful lives.
And then there is the federal carbon tax.
If Ottawa rejects Nova Scotia's proposal to collect the tax, it could impose the "federal backstop program" which Nova Scotia Power says would cost $243 million over the next two years
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Enfield, N.S., in July 2022. (CBC)
"I think ratepayers want to know how much bigger this is going to be and is there any relief on the way," said Deveau.
The company is proceeding with four projects costing $638 million in what's called the Eastern Clean Energy Initiative.
That includes $350 million for the new transmission intertie with New Brunswick, $32 million to convert coal plants to natural gas, $83 million for additional wind power and a $171 million battery storage project.
Federal funding
Ratepayers will not be on the hook for all this.
This summer Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in Enfield, N.S., to announce Ottawa will contribute up to $130 million to the Nova Scotia Power battery storage project under the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program.
Nova Scotia Power has applied to the program to pay for its wind project.
Indigenous wind power projects
At the same July event, Trudeau also announced $125 million in federal spending on Nova Scotia Indigenous participation in wind power projects.
On Wednesday, Gregg said that was part of the provincial government's big wind procurement announced last month.
Five Indigenous-majority owned entities were awarded the right to develop a total of 372 megawatts of wind powered electricity.
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
Nova Scotia Power defends pace of going green at rate increase hearing
Power company seeks permission to raise rates by 11.6 per cent over two years
During the second day of hearings into Nova Scotia Power's rate increase hearing, the company brushed aside suggestions that it was slow to move away from its reliance on coal and other fossil fuels to generate electricity.
Greening the grid is a big part of the company's application to raise rates by 11.6 per cent, currently before the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (UARB). The utility states it will cost hundreds of millions of dollars to shut down coal plants, add wind power and improve transmission lines.
To pay for it, the application includes the creation of a so-called "decarbonization deferral account" (DDA) that would collect money to add renewables and write off coal plant shutdowns before the end of their useful life.
Ratepayers would be asked to pay down the costs in future rate cases.
In its messaging, Nova Scotia Power has repeatedly referred to provincial legislation as a driver in its decision to raise rates. The law passed in 2021 requires it to close its coal plants and produce 80 per cent of electricity from renewable sources.
A lawyer for the provincial government challenged that narrative Tuesday.
Company's narrative challenged
"The federal government in 2016 was signalling the end of coal-fired generation by 2030," said Daniel Boyle, a lawyer representing the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables.
Boyle referred to the joint federal and provincial Pan Canadian Plan to Address Climate Change, published in 2016.
The government document noted the federal government announced in November 2016 that it would amend existing coal-fired electricity regulations to "accelerate the phase out of traditional coal-fired electricity by 2030."
"The intention of the questioning is to say that there were options available that could have, should have, could have been pursued which may have offered a plan that could have done away with the need for DDA at this time," Boyle told the UARB.
Nova Scotia Power president Peter Gregg, who joined the company in 2020, said six years ago it still had a deal to defer closing coal plants.
"At this time, there was an equivalency agreement in place with the province of Nova Scotia that would seek to eliminate coal from our resource mix by 2040 and not the 2030 date here," he said. "We knew directionally the federal government was signaling that would be there, but we did have that equivalency agreement in place."
The Nova Scotia UARB hearings are expected to last the rest of the month. (CBC)
Gregg said Nova Scotia Power has been "on the decarbonization journey" since 2005 and repeated company messaging that it is balancing reducing emissions with affordability.
At the beginning of Tuesday's hearing, Nova Scotia Power lawyer Blake Williams announced a settlement has been reached with telecom companies fighting the company's request to nearly triple the fees it charges to use its power poles.
The terms were not disclosed.
Inflation impact
Nova Scotia Power has made much of the costly impact of inflation on its operations -— especially fuel costs.
On Tuesday, the company acknowledged that rising interest rates will reduce pension costs between 30 to 50 per cent, saving the company between $6.6 million and $11.7 million per year from 2022 to 2024.
The savings are based on interest rate increases from 1.8 per cent to 2.4 per cent.
For the first time, Nova Scotia Power has asked to amortize the cost it pays for consultants and third-party lawyers employed in the rate hearing. The cost includes fees paid to the consumer advocate, the small business advocate and UARB counsel.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-power-rate-increase-hearings-begin-1.6580160
Month of hearings begin on Nova Scotia Power's request for hefty rate increase
The company is looking to raise rate by 11.6 per cent
Nova Scotia Power president Peter Gregg said the privately owned company is merely asking its regulator, the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, for what it needs.
"What we put in this application is what we believe is necessary to get us off coal by 2030 and to continue to service our customers reliably," Gregg told reporters ahead of the hearing.
"Ultimately what comes out of this process at the end, what the UARB approves in terms of rates is the board's decision."
The company is looking to include automatic charges to pay for future storm damage and to fund the cost of retiring its coal plants.
Nova Scotia Power is asking to increase the upper end of its rate of return from 9.25 to 9.5 per cent.
A Nova Scotia Power truck travels on a road in Seaforth, N.S. as heavy rain and wind continue to batter parts of the province. (Paul Palmeter/CBC)
It is also asking for an "earnings sharing mechanism" that would give the company half of all profits earned above its regulated rate of return. All excess earnings are currently returned to customers.
Neither Gregg, nor Scott Balfour, CEO of parent company Emera, would discuss its moves to increase profitability.
"I'm not going to get into those details here. I'm not here for that today," Balfour told reporters outside the hearing.
The company has said it is requesting a deal similar to those of other regulated utilities.
Bill Mahody is a consumer advocate for Nova Scotia Power's residential customers. (CBC)
Over the next two years, the money Nova Scotia Power spends on fuel to generate electricity or buy power is forecast to be nearly $700 million more than earlier estimates.
Bill Mahody, a consumer advocate for Nova Scotia Power's residential customers, said the company's future fuel costs will make bills go up, even if it's put off until later.
"There are substantial fuel costs that ratepayers are going to be responsible for down the road. Can they be predicted to the penny? No, they cannot be," Mahody told reporters.
"But is there good information available to the company now that's been filed in this hearing that shows that in 2023 and 2024 we're going to have substantial fuel increase? Absolutely, there is."
Nova Scotia opposition party leaders slammed the application for the rate increase.
"They're asking for this unprecedented rate increase based on the arguments that the transition to clean energy will impact their bottom line," said Nova Scotia Liberal Leader Zach Churchill. "But the reality is that over half of this rate application is intended to dramatically increase profits with no consideration of the impacts to Nova Scotians."
Nova
Scotia NDP Leader Claudia Chender (left) and Nova Scotia Liberal Leader
Zach Churchill (right) slammed Nova Scotia Power's application for the
rate increase. (CBC)
Nova Scotia NDP Leader Claudia Chender said Nova Scotia Power wants people to pay more while increasing their corporate profits.
"Nova Scotia Power wants to be able to claw back half of excess profits instead of returning them back to customers for much needed relief, as is the current practice," Chender said.
The hearings are expected to take the entire month.
With files from Paul Withers
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-power-ups-rate-increase-application-1.6573980
Nova Scotia Power wants to increase rates by 11.6% over two years, up from previous forecast
Company says it needs more money from ratepayers to cover skyrocketing fuel costs
The company is now asking regulators for permission to raise rates by 11.6 per cent between 2022 and 2024, up from the 10 per cent it applied for earlier this year.
On Sept. 3, NSP disclosed its fuel costs are $681 million higher than the May 2021 forecast it used when it applied for the 10 per cent rate hike in late January.
"Since that time, world-wide inflationary pressures and geopolitical events have caused significant cost increases in services and products, including fuel to operate vehicles and fuel to generate electricity," the company said in an update filed with the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board ahead of public hearings later this month.
Officials say the price of solid fuels used to generate electricity, particularly coal, have gone up along with the cost of natural gas and oil also used in Nova Scotia's power grid. NSP says the increase in solid fuel costs in the first six months of 2022 was $119 million more than originally forecast. Natural gas jumped by $89 million. The cost of wind power has remained flat in 2022 and is forecast to stay that way in 2023.
Fuel costs include the price of fuel it uses to generate electricity, power it buys and penalties it pays for failing to meet provincial greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets. And it matters because NSP's fuel bill is automatically passed on to customers, after an annual vetting.
It has asked regulators to defer recovery for higher fuel costs in 2023 and 2024 until at least 2025. The company also said it did not get 2,700 gigawatt hours of additional market-priced, and cheaper, hydro electricity it had counted on from the Muskrat Falls hydro project in Labrador.
Province won't explain $165M in relief it is giving NSP
The provincial government has offered some help — agreeing to provide relief from greenhouse gas expenses that will shave $165 million from fuel costs in 2022.
"This was a lever we could pull," Tory Rushton, Nova Scotia minister of Natural Resources and Renewables, told CBC News Tuesday.
"Is it credits or is it a financial mark? At the end of the day, what matters is the ratepayers in Nova Scotia.
"We've been through a lot here in Nova Scotia, in the rest of the rest of the country, it's hard on everybody's pocketbooks. So these are levers that we're willing to pull as a government to ensure our ratepayers are protected."
Tory Rushton is Nova Scotia's minister of Natural Resources and Renewables. (CBC)
Rushton referred questions about the details to officials, who later declined to clarify how the relief would work.
"We will release details later this fall," Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change spokesperson Elizabeth MacDonald said in a brief statement.
Temporary reprieve
Nova Scotia Power was clear this is a temporary fix.
"While the GHG Relief assists in making these compliance costs more affordable for customers in the near term, it does not relieve N.S. Power of its ongoing responsibility to meet its emissions targets in the long term," NSP said.
Imposition of a federal carbon tax is looming.
Last week Nova Scotia submitted its proposal asking for control of that tax.
Failing that, Ottawa would impose the "federal backstop program" which Nova Scotia Power said would cost it $116 million in 2023 and $127 million in 2021.
Jennifer O'Connell is the parliamentary secretary to Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc. (CBC)
Jennifer O'Connell, parliamentary secretary to Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc, was noncommittal Tuesday when asked about the Nova Scotia proposal.
"It depends. If it meets the federal government's emissions objectives. As in other provinces like B.C. — they have their own carbon pricing model," O'Connell said.
"In provinces where I come from, for example in Ontario, it's the federal backstop and that money is flowed directly from the federal government to residents. So it really depends on if the provinces submit a plan that meets the objectives of the legislation."
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/pm-clean-energy-nova-scotia-announcement-1.6527350
Trudeau announces $255M for clean energy in Nova Scotia
Government says new wind energy projects will power hundreds of thousands of homes
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a news release that $125 million of the funds will be dedicated to new wind power projects.
"New wind energy projects will provide clean power to around 350,000 homes in Nova Scotia, create hundreds of good jobs, and deliver benefits to local Indigenous communities, including jobs and training," it reads.
The remainder of the funds, $130 million, will go to four battery sites across the province that will store clean energy.
"With this investment, Nova Scotia will have one of the largest battery systems in North America," the release says.
The government announced earlier this year a goal of reaching net zero electricity emissions by 2035.
Canada has also committed to a Paris Agreement target to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40-45 per cent of 2005 levels by 2030, and to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
Canada Energy Regulator figures say in 2019 51 per cent of Nova Scotia's electricity was powered by coal.
"This is an investment we're making in the future of Nova Scotia, by recognizing the work that has been done but needs to continue to be done on greening the grid here," Trudeau said at the announcement.
"We're very, very excited about the hundreds of jobs that will be created, the hundreds of thousands of homes, and how we're moving about building a stronger future for everyone."
The PMO's release says the projects are part of a competitive federal and provincial process, and exact funding amounts and allocation are not final until the process is complete.
Nova Scotia Power responds to critics of confidentiality claims in rate hike case
Company willing to release some information, including about bonuses and government lobbying
On Friday, the utility said two studies by Mercer Consulting on executive compensation paid to NSP executives should remain confidential despite objections from intervenors in the rate case, which include the Province of Nova Scotia.
NSP lawyer Blake Williams asked the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board to dismiss the objections.
He said the company is willing to release "the market comparable aggregate amount of total direct compensation that is included in the Mercer Reports to demonstrate that the compensation included in the General Rate Application is below market."
The rest of the reports are irrelevant, he said, since legislation limits the portion of NSP executive compensation recovered from ratepayers to the level of provincial deputy ministers.
"NS Power is no longer permitted to seek full recovery of its executive compensation expenses and there remains no rationale or justification to disclose information pertaining to amounts over the Government Pay Plan Cap. If NS Power were seeking to recover the full amount of executive compensation then it would disclose the full amount, just as it did prior to the introduction of the Government Pay Plan Cap," Williams wrote.
Where NSP has dropped confidentiality claims
The company did withdraw many of its confidentiality claims after they were opposed by lawyer Nancy Rubin on behalf of the Industrial Group, representing NSP's largest customers and Dalhousie University.
NSP said it is now willing to release information on bonuses, its government lobbying activity, public information in a tax dispute with the Canada Revenue Agency and the identity of Shell as the supplier of natural gas in a long-expired contract.
The company said it will disclose details related to an incident at the Trenton 5 generating station once claims are settled.
Losses related to a transformer failure at the Point Tupper generating station and ice damage at the Nuttby wind farm are still subject to ongoing negotiations, it said.
"NS Power is committed to serving Nova Scotians in a transparent manner," Williams wrote.
Intervenors have until June 7 to respond.
N.S. Power executive admonished by opposition MLAs for proposed rate hike
MLA Brendan Maguire says company's application comes when cost-of-living increases 'crushing' Nova Scotians
The utility's chief operating officer Mark Sidebottom was one of 10 people called before the legislature's public accounts committee to talk about the company's proposed 10 per cent electricity rate increase over three years.
Although senior officials at the company agreed to testify, they warned the committee beforehand they would not answer specific questions about the rate application. A representative from the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, as well as two provincial deputy ministers, indicated the same.
That's because although the company filed its application in January, the formal regulatory hearings before the board have not started yet.
Liberal MLA Brendan Maguire called the warning "offensive."
"Even before you sit in this committee you send these letters to us saying that you don't want to, nor will you answer questions," said the Halifax Atlantic representative. "I've never seen anything like this in my eight years on this committee."
Nova Scotia Power chief operating officer Mark Sidebottom is shown at Province House in Halifax on Wednesday. (Jean Laroche/CBC)
Maguire suggested the proposal for a 10 per cent price increase over three years couldn't be coming at a worst time.
"The cost of living is absolutely crushing Nova Scotians and at that time Nova Scotia Power have the audacity to put forward a 10 per cent rate increase on the backs of Nova Scotians," said Maguire. "People are defaulting on their rent and their mortgage payments, and I know this because I've been an MLA for eight years and I've heard it."
In response to this question and others like it, Sidebottom repeatedly told committee members: "There's never a good time to ask for an increase in electricity rates."
The executive said the company needed the increase, which includes a request for a larger guaranteed rate of return, to cover the company's rising costs and to continue to make it attractive to investors.
"So that sounds good — that there's never a good time to have these increases," Maguire shot back. "Yet every time we turn around, it seems like it's a good time to have all-time high executive payouts.
"We're seeing all-time high bonuses. We're seeing executives at Nova Scotia Power and Emera become millionaires on the back of Nova Scotians."
That comment was a reference to the fact top executives at Nova Scotia Power and its parent company, Emera, profited from hefty bonuses and other benefits in 2021.
Some executives with Nova Scotia Power and its parent company, Emera, received hefty bonuses last year. (The Canadian Press)
New Democrat MLA Claudia Chender wasn't as blunt with her criticism of the proposed increase, but acknowledged "news of the rate increase has caused a lot of consternation right across the province."
"People are upset because they can't pay their bills already and we know that 37 per cent of Nova Scotia households experience what is defined as energy poverty, so more than six per cent of your after-tax income is spent on home energy," she told Sidebottom. "That's a massive number of people who struggle every month to pay their power bill."
During the spring sitting, the PC government updated the law that governs the utility and review board, but government members voted down amendments to that bill that would have allowed the board to create a special power rate for Nova Scotia Power customers who don't earn much money.
That concept was championed by the NDP, which led Chender to ask the utility if it would support a new customer rate designed to help low-income families.
Sidebottom responded: "Nova Scotia Power would be receptive, in fact supportive of understanding what could be a solution around this."
CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices
Emera boss pockets more than $8M in 2021
Parent company of Nova Scotia Power released its annual report on compensation Thursday
The parent company of Nova Scotia Power released its annual report on compensation paid to its five top executives Thursday.
Compensation includes base salary, share awards, share options incentives, pension value and perks.
Chief financial officer Greg Blunden was the next highest paid. He made $2.5 million in compensation, $265,231 more than 2020, or an 11 per cent increase.
Compensation paid to Bruce Marchand, chief legal and compliance officer, was virtually unchanged at $2 million.
Former Nova Scotia Power president Karen Hutt saw the biggest boost. Emera's executive vice-president of business development and strategy earned $1.65 million, $289,706 more than 2020, or a 21 per cent increase.
Rick Janega, the chief operating officer, electrical utilities Canada & Caribbean, was the outlier.
His compensation fell $689,073 — or 28 per cent — to $1.63 million. Janega successfully guided the Maritime Link to completion.
Committee oversees compensation
Executive compensation is overseen by a management resources and compensation committee. It is made up of four independent Emera board members and chaired by Henry Demone, the former CEO of High Liner Foods.
In its management information circular, Emera said executive compensation "has been largely aligned" with total shareholder returns in recent years.
"The analysis concluded that Emera's compensation framework provided appropriate alignment between the President and CEO's compensation and the shareholder experience over the long term," Emera states.
Emera shareholder returns increased by 22 per cent from 2020 to 2021.
"In the face of the demands and impacts of a global COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 was a year of strong performance, both financially and operationally for Emera, including the achievement of important regulatory outcomes,' Emera states.
"Under Mr. Balfour's leadership, Emera has advanced its carbon reduction goals and is increasingly recognized as a leader in ESG (environmental, social and governance)."
M10431 Participants
M10431 – NS Power – 2022 General Rate Application – Settlement Agreement
Considering the filing of the Settlement Agreement, the Board is establishing the following process for future steps in the proceeding:
• Information Requests to NS Power about
the Settlement Agreement
November 30, 2022
• Information Request responses from NS Power
December 7, 2022
• Closing Submissions (all parties)
December 14, 2022
• Reply Submissions (all parties)
December 21, 2022
Yours truly,
Crystal Henwood
Regulatory Affairs Officer/Clerk
c. S. Bruce Outhouse, K.C., Board Counsel
M10431 Participants
December 14, 2022
The NSNDP caucus is pleased to have the opportunity to provide closing comments in our role as intervenor in the hearing for Nova Scotia Power’s General Rate Application - M10431.
The nature of this application hearing was radically changed by the introduction and passage of Bill 212 by the Houston government. These hasty amendments to the Public Utilities Act did not fix the issue of rising rates, address reliability issues or assure Nova Scotians that there is a plan to meet our climate change targets. The Bill did not cap rates to cover fuel costs or energy efficiency programs. It did not change the UARB’s ability to count fuel as a pass through cost, thereby reducing the incentive for Nova Scotia Power to reduce those costs as much as possible and make them transparent in future applications. It also did not limit cost deferrals, charged to ratepayers at a later date with interest, or limit an increase in the customer charge as we see reflected in the settlement before the board.
What Bill 212, now in force as amendments to the Public Utilities Act, did was directly and politically interfere with a complex and independent regulatory process. This has already begun to have knock-on consequences, some not yet understood, many of which may further increase costs for ratepayers in the future and put our legislated climate targets out of reach. For example, S&P has downgraded Nova Scotia Power’s credit rating, citing “unprecedented political interference” by this government. As the costs of borrowing rise for Nova Scotia Power, ratepayers are likely to pay more in the long run. Nova Scotia Power has said that it will cease planning for the Atlantic Loop and for upgrades to our already vulnerable power grid in the wake of these legislative changes. With over 13,000 customers without power today in the wake of our first real winter storm this is deeply concerning, and calls into question the ability to meet our climate commitments and respond to severe weather events. Nova Scotians will pay the price of this ill-informed approach, and in the meantime, bills will continue to increase and investments in a reliable and green power ecosystem will continue to be delayed.
The Houston government will continue to insist that it is protecting ratepayers with its actions, but those left with climbing power bills and more vulnerability to storm damage and power failures will have a different impression. We were pleased to see diverse intervenors come together to work collaboratively to try and protect ratepayers. Parties to the hearing have come to a settlement that is now before the Board to decide. We were disappointed to see the Premier make another unprecedented move of dismissing the settlement and threatening action if it is accepted. Our caucus is adamant that it remains possible to respect the regulatory independence of the UARB, address high power bills, and build a reliable and green electricity system. We are glad to see that the proposed settlement removes the earnings sharing mechanism that would have allowed Nova Scotia Power the ability to retain excess profits. We are also glad to see that the decarbonization deferral fund has been referred to a more consultative process with stakeholders that will hopefully yield answers about its true cost and utility. It is our opinion that any agreement after this kind of intervention into an independent process is unlikely to produce an entirely positive result, but we will respect the decision of the UARB.
We respect the UARB’s jurisdiction over the matter and its expertise in determining whether the settlement reached by customer representatives and Nova Scotia Power is in the best interests of ratepayers -- while also pointing out that the rate hike contained therewith is unsustainable for many, many people in our province. This is why we are committed to continuing to press for substantive changes to our regulatory system that would retain the independence of the UARB while giving it the tools to better help consumers, particularly those most vulnerable to these rate increases, and more clearly address the demands of the climate crisis.
We will close with the voices of just a couple of the many Nova Scotians who have contacted us in this regard:
I am a single income household, and currently pay more for power than I do for a lot of other things. It is a struggle to balance a fluctuating power bill and increasing costs of living. A 10% increase would tip the scales and result in my family going without in a lot of areas. If their expenses are that concerning, perhaps NSP CEOs can do without 10% of their pay.... I bet it would even out!
We are retired and on a fixed income. The increase will definitely impact our pocketbooks as we do not receive Increased income at the rate of inflated costs. How do we keep up with the exorbitant cost of power. 10% and then what is next. How do young families cope?
Thank you for the opportunity to present our view, one that is adamant about putting the needs of Nova Scotians ahead of power games and politics.
Sincerely,
Leader, NSNDP
MLA Dartmouth South
Susan Leblanc
Spokesperson for Natural Resources and Renewables, NSNDP
MLA Dartmouth North
IN THE MATTER OF: The Public Utilities Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c.380 as amended
IN THE MATTER OF: An Application by Nova Scotia Power Incorporated for approval of
Certain Revisions to its Rates, Charges and Regulations filed January 27, 2022
Amended
NOTICE OF INTERVENTION OF:
K + S Windsor Salt Ltd.
CKF Inc.
Crown Fibre Tube Inc.
Irving Shipbuilding Inc.
Maritime Paper Products Ltd.
Michelin North America (Canada) Inc.
Oxford Frozen Foods Limited
Compass Minerals Canada Corp.
Farnell Packaging Ltd.
P & H Milling Group
PSA Halifax
(collectively, the “Industrial Group”)
TAKE NOTICE that the Industrial Group hereby intervenes in this proceeding in
accordance with the Regulations.
Members of the Industrial Group are large and medium industrial customers of NSPI
whose costs are directly affected by this Application.
The issues which may be addressed include any or all of the issues as established by the
Utility and Review Board.
The names and contact particulars of the persons to whom communications concerning
this proceeding should be addressed are:
Stewart McKelvey
Suite 600 – 1741 Lower Water Street
P.O. Box 997
Halifax, NS B3J 2X2
Fax (902) 420-1417
Attention: Nancy G. Rubin, Q.C.
Telephone (902) 420-3337
Email: nrubin@stewartmckelvey.com
Attention: Dylan A. MacDonald
Email: dmacdonald@stewartmckelvey.com
Attention: Brianne E. Rudderham
Email: brudderham@stewartmckelvey.com
Consultant: Attention: Mark Drazen
Email: mmd@drazen.com
And a copy to: Attention: Leona Clements
Email: lmclements@stewartmckelvey.com
DATED at Halifax, Nova Scotia, this 28th day of January, 2022.
AMENDED this 3rd day of February, 2022.
Nancy G. Rubin, Q.C.
Stewart McKelvey
Barristers & Solicitors
P.O. Box 997
600-1741 Lower Water Street
Halifax, NS B3J 2X2
Telephone (902) 420-3200
Fax (902) 420-1417
Solicitor for the Industrial Group
TO: Crystal Henwood
Regulatory Affairs Officer/Clerk of the Board
Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board
3rd Floor Summit Place
1601 Lower Water Street
File No: SM002557-00003
Delivered Via Electronic Mail
Nancy G. Rubin, K.C.
Direct Dial: 902.420-3337
nrubin@stewartmckelvey.com
Crystal Henwood Regulatory Affairs Officer/Clerk Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board 3rd Floor, 1601 Lower Water Street PO Box 1692, Unit "M" Halifax NS B3J 3S3
Dear Ms. Henwood:
Re: M10431 – 2022 General Rate Application (GRA)
This letter is written on behalf of K + S Windsor Salt Ltd., CKF Inc., Crown Fibre Tube Inc., Irving Shipbuilding Inc., Maritime Paper Products Ltd., Michelin North America (Canada) Inc., Oxford Frozen Foods Limited, Compass Minerals Canada Corp., Farnell Packaging Ltd., P & H Milling Group and PSA Halifax (collectively, the “Industrial Group”) and Dalhousie University.
The Industrial Group and Dalhousie University were signatories to the Settlement Agreement1 and participated in discussions leading to resolution of the issues addressed therein. These submissions are offered to provide further context for their support and address a number, but not all, of the specific terms.
APPROACH TO SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS GENERALLY
In its response to NRR IR 12, NSPI has characterized broad and “unprecedented consensus” respecting the Settlement Agreement. The Industrial Group and Dalhousie observe that the support is not “unprecedented” as there is a long history of settlements before the Board. However, we agree the support is “broad” as it does have the support of the majority of rate class representatives; it is specifically endorsed by the Consumer Advocate, who is appointed under the Public Utilities Act (“PUA”) to represent the interests of residential customers and authorized to enter into settlement agreements.
The Board later expanded on its approach to settlement agreements submitted for approval:
[12] The Board's Regulatory Rules facilitate settlement discussions. The Board welcomes and appreciates the efforts of parties to, in good faith, settle issues, even where, as sometimes happens, a settlement cannot be ultimately achieved.
[13] Where, as here, the Agreement is supported by representatives of all of the customer classes, the Board can have confidence that the Agreement is in the public interest.
[14] Customers of NSPI and members of the public are, perhaps understandably, wary of the settlement process. Many of those customers and members of the public may not appreciate that by the time the hearing commences 80% of the rate hearing process has already happened. NSPI filed extensive evidence, as required by the Board, to support its rate request. Interested parties and Board Staff asked NSPI many hundreds of written questions (Information Requests), to which responses were filed.
[15] All of the parties who chose to do so filed evidence, including expert evidence. Written questions (Information Requests) have been asked of and answered by interested parties who filed evidence. NSPI filed reply evidence. As noted, all of this happened before the hearing was scheduled to begin so that the parties and the Board are well informed about the case in advance of any oral public hearing.
[16] The public can rest assured that the Board Members hearing the matter have also thoroughly reviewed all of the material in advance of coming to a decision as to whether to approve the Agreement as being in the public interest.
[17] Settlement agreements, while relatively new in regulatory matters before the Board, are common in the litigation process. Within the Board's adjudicative mandate, for example, assessment appeals, planning appeals and other matters are often settled. In the civil courts of Nova Scotia, a much higher percentage of cases are settled than go to trial.
The overriding lens is that of the public interest. When presented with terms of settlement, it is not necessarily an all-or-nothing decision. The Board has the right and the power to change terms but care must be taken to maintain the balance achieved through a settlement agreement.
The Unique Context of this Settlement Agreement
This is not the Settlement Agreement that would have been reached after the filing of evidence and responses to IRs. This is not the Settlement Agreement that would have been filed after nine days of hearings and the filing of undertakings by NSPI on October 14. This is a Settlement Agreement to which the parties have been driven by the timing of legislative amendments to the PUA through Bill 212.
Draft closing arguments based on the evidence and responses to undertakings were scrapped. Dalhousie University and the Industrial Group could not ignore the material impact that Bill 212 has had on the evidence and it is within that context that the parties negotiated the Settlement Agreement.
It will be up to the Board to evaluate whether the Settlement Agreement is in the best interests of ratepayers based on the full evidentiary record in M10431, as well as the PUA amendments.
Specific Terms of this Settlement Agreement
First and fundamentally, the terms of the Settlement Agreement resolve matters in the 2023/2024 GRA and are without prejudice to any position that may be taken by any Party in any future regulatory proceeding (clause 3). While this is a common term, it is particularly important here given that, to some extent, we are in an evidentiary vacuum regarding NSPI’s 2023/2024 capital plan and OM&G.
NSPI’s filed GRA was predicated on a certain revenue requirement, with each expense and capital investment broken down and itemized. At this point, NSPI “has not yet determined how resources will be redeployed to comply with the requirements of Bill 212.” NSPI has stated that it will need to operate with approximately $70 million in revenue reduction over its forecast7.
With the terms reflected in the Settlement Agreement, the Industrial Group believes that this reduction can be achieved. First, a material portion of the revenue requirement reduction is addressed through the reduction in equity thickness8. Additionally, interest rates have continued to rise with a correlative beneficial effect on pension expenses. The evidence was that the dollar value of the reduction in service costs for NSPI’s revenue requirement for pensions in 2023 and 2024, based on an increase in interest rates of 1.8% to 2.4% would be $6.8 million to $11.3 million in 2023 and $7.0 million to $11.6 million in 2024.9 In cross-examination, NSPI agreed with Mr. Burnell’s assessment, with its own actuaries confirming those ranges were reasonable. There is also an approximate $3 million reduction in the Maritime Link assessment in 2023, subject to the Board’s decision in that application (M10708).
The other lever for NSPI to control costs relates to capital investments and associated return and depreciation. Evidence during the hearing suggested considerable uncertainty with the capital project addition forecast in the GRA to the effect that a number of projects are not yet applied for, or not yet approved. NSPI may choose to manage the timing of these projects, if satisfied they can be deferred without sacrificing reliability.
It is noted with concern that fuel and purchased power remains a moving target and the deferred and under-collected amount continues to grow. The most recent October monthly FAM report which includes actuals to the end of October forecasts the 2022 under-recovery at $315.8 million. Netting off the provincial GHG credit of $165 million leaves a FAM balance of almost $151 million to the end of 2022. This is an increase since the Fuels Update and the evidence in the GRA which forecasted a balance of $114 million to the end of 2022, and is more than the $141 million forecasted balance provided in response to Board IR-4 (c-d)11 which was based upon actuals to the end of September.
The Terms of Settlement recognize that if this $151 million balance is recovered in one year in the AA/BA in 2024, it would cause material impacts and accordingly, the parties are open to address alternate periods of recovery.
BRAGG COMMUNICATIONS INC("EASTLINK"), ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS CANADA
INC. and XPLORE INC. (formerly "XPLORNET COMMUNICATIONS INC.")
26. The effect of the Settlement Agreement upon other parties to the proceeding is negligible.
The compromise reflected in the Settlement Agreement represents a reasonable, fair and
justifiable outcome. It is in the public interest to approve settlement agreements in these
circumstances in order to encourage a collaborative approach to ratemaking. Doing so
provides incentive to parties to be reasonable and promotes the reduction of controversy
in rate applications coming to the Board.
ALL OF WHICH IS RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED on December 14, 2022.
4162-4485-8177
Stewart McKelvey ·
Barristers & Solicitors
600-17 41 Lower Water Street
Halifax NS B3J 0J2
Leslie Milton
Fasken
55 Metcalfe Street, Suite 1300
Ottawa ON K1 P 6L5
COUNSEL FOR EASTLINK, ROGERS
COMMUNICATIONS CANADA INC. and
XPLORE INC.
New Chair, Members Appointed to Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board
The government has appointed a new chair and two full-time members to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB).
Halifax lawyer and current board member Stephen McGrath is the new Chair, replacing Peter Gurnham, who retires effective Tuesday, March 1. The new board members are Julia Clark, a lawyer with the provincial Department of Justice, and Bruce Fisher, director of financial planning with Halifax Regional Municipality.
“Mr. McGrath’s wealth of experience and skills will be of great value as he assumes the role of chair to help ensure the UARB continues to provide a valuable service to Nova Scotians through consistent and well-reasoned decisions on hearings, appeals, licensing and compliance issues,” said Finance and Treasury Board Minister Allan MacMaster. “We are fortunate to have such a vast array of knowledge and expertise with the appointments of Ms. Clark and Mr. Fisher. I also want to thank and acknowledge Mr. Gurnham for his 19 years of service as he leaves behind a strong legacy that will serve the UARB well in the future.”
The NSUARB is an independent, quasi-judicial board with powers and duties under the Utility and Review Board Act and other legislation. Its list of regulatory and adjudicative work includes setting electricity rates, water rates, and gasoline and diesel prices.
Quick Facts:
- Mr. Gurnham has served as Chair since 2004
- the board consists of up to 10 full-time members appointed by the governor-in-council; nine positions are currently filled
- each full-time member holds office on good behaviour until the age of 70
- remuneration for the chair is on par with a deputy minister (about $187,000) and remuneration for full-time board members is on par with an associate deputy minister (about $158,000)
Additional Resources:
Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board website: https://nsuarb.novascotia.ca
Automatic reply: Does anyone recall the email entitled "So Stephen McGrath if not you then just exactly who sent me this latest email from your office?" |
| ||||||||
< steve.murphy@ctv.ca>, nmoore <nmoore@bellmedia.ca>, "David.Akin"
< David.Akin@globalnews.ca>, "Davidc.Coon" <Davidc.Coon@gmail.com>,
"Bill.Morneau" <Bill.Morneau@canada.ca>, "Dominic.Cardy"
< Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca>, "atlantic.director"
< atlantic.director@taxpayer.
< blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, BrianThomasMacdonald
< BrianThomasMacdonald@gmail.
< mike.obrienfred@gmail.com>, premier <premier@gnb.ca>,
classaction@wagners.co, oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>,
"leanne.murray" <leanne.murray@mcinnescooper.
< jbosnitch@gmail.com>, dwayne.woodman@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, andre
< andre@jafaust.com>, Newsroom <Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, news
< news@kingscorecord.com>
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>
michael.comeau@gnb.ca, JUSTWEB@novascotia.ca
I posted it here last year N'esy Pas Chucky Leblanc and Andre Faust?
http://davidraymondamos3.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Murphy, Steve" Steve.Murphy@bellmedia.ca
Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2017 12:02:52 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Well Mr Stever we spoke once again long ago
Now I will argue your City Solicitor Johanne Theriault and her buddies
working for the Crown
To: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com
Steve Murphy is away from the newsroom until October 10, 2017 and will
respond to your e-mail then. In the meantime, if you wish to contact
CTV News please e-mail atlanticnews@bellmedia.ca or call (902)
454-3200.
On 10/7/17, David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com wrote:
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com
> Date: Mon, 18 Sep 2017 11:57:55 -0400
> Subject: So Stephen McGrath if not you then just exactly who sent me
> this latest email from your office?
> To: PREMIER PREMIER@gov.ns.ca, jamiebaillie
> jamiebaillie@gov.ns.ca, mcgratst@gov.ns.ca, justmin
> justmin@gov.ns.ca, StephenMcNeil@ns.aliantzinc.ca
> terry.seguin@cbc.ca, "Jacques.Poitras" Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca,
> "steve.murphy" steve.murphy@ctv.ca, nmoore > "David.Akin" David.Akin@globalnews.ca, "Davidc.Coon"
> Davidc.Coon@gmail.co, "Bill.Morneau" Bill.Morneau@canada.ca,
> "Dominic.Cardy" Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca, "atlantic.director"
> atlantic.director@taxpayer.com
> blaine.higgs@gnb.ca, BrianThomasMacdonald
> BrianThomasMacdonald@gmail.com
> mike.obrienfred@gmail.com, premier premier@gnb.ca, briangallant10
> briangallant10@gmail.com, classaction@wagners.co, oldmaison
> oldmaison@yahoo.com, "leanne.murray"
> leanne.murray@mcinnescooper.
> Cc: David Amos david.raymond.amos@gmail.com,
> ronald.j.macdonald@novascotia.
> michael.comeau@gnb.ca, JUSTWEB@novascotia.ca
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Justice Website
> Date: Mon, 18 Sep 2017 14:21:11 +0000
> Subject: Emails to Department of Justice and Province of Nova Scotia
> To: motomaniac333@gmail.com
>
> Mr. Amos,
> We acknowledge receipt of your recent emails to the Deputy Minister of
> Justice and lawyers within the Legal Services Division of the
> Department of Justice respecting a possible claim against the Province
> of Nova Scotia. Service of any documents respecting a legal claim
> against the Province of Nova Scotia may be served on the Attorney
> General at 1690 Hollis Street, Halifax, NS. Please note that we will
> not be responding to further emails on this matter.
>
> Department of Justice
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com
> Date: Wed, 9 Aug 2017 17:22:16 -0400
> Subject: Attn Stephen McGrath Heres a little Deja Vu about Emera
> To: mcgratst@gov.ns.ca, justmin justmin@gov.ns.ca,
> StephenMcNeil@ns.aliantzinc.ca
> Cc: David Amos david.raymond.amos@gmail.com
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com
> Date: Sat, 25 May 2013 01:17:50 -0300
> Subject: Fwd: Re NSP Maritime Link and the circus begins again for
> Emera during another election EH Mr Smellie?
> To: gretchenf@sierraclub.ca, wesley@teratrends.ca,
> jdalton@poweradvisoryllc.com, odenig@gov.ns.ca, holletjn@gov.ns.ca,
> millermn@gov.ns.ca, deckerga@gov.ns.ca, birdmw@gov.ns.ca,
> smccoom@gov.ns.ca, spencecc@gov.ns.ca, brothert@gov.ns.ca,
> mcgratst@gov.ns.ca
> Cc: David Amos david.raymond.amos@gmail.com,
> maurice@theshorelinejournal.
> peter.alien@dal.ca, patbates@ns.sympaticao.ca,
> brenden.haley@gmail.com, ismet.ugursal@dal.ca
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com
> Date: Sat, 25 May 2013 00:12:04 -0300
> Subject: Fwd: Re NSP Maritime Link and the circus begins again for
> Emera during another election EH Mr Smellie?
> To: StephenMcNeil@ns.aliantzinc.ca
> Baillijr@gov.ns.ca, portercg@gov.ns.ca, edgeja@gov.ns.ca,
> mcdonaci@gov.ns.ca, tdalgleish@davis.ca, david.landrigan@nspower.ca,
> nicole.godbout@nspower.ca, tim.wood@nspower.ca, lana.myatt@nspower.ca,
> robert.groves.taag@gmail.com, bclarke@burchells.ca,
> slewis@sternpartners.com, archiestewart@eastlink.ca, "steve.murphy"
> steve.murphy@ctv.ca, "steve.graham"
> Cc: David Amos david.raymond.amos@gmail.com, trussell
> trussell@nunatukavut.ca, "justin.trudeau.a1"
> justin.trudeau.a1@parl.gc.ca, justmin justmin@gov.ns.ca
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: "Smellie, James" James.Smellie@gowlings.com
> Date: Fri, 24 May 2013 20:53:17 -0600
> Subject: Out of Office AutoReply: Re NSP Maritime Link and the circus
> begins again for Emera during another election EH Mr Smellie?
> To: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com
>
> I am away on business for an extended period. Please contact my
> assistant Brenda at 403-298-1950 or brenda.swales@gowlings.com, if you
> need immediate assistance.
>
> IMPORTANT NOTICE: This message is intended only for the use of the
> individual or entity to which it is addressed. The message may
> contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt
> from disclosure under applicable law. If the reader of this
> message is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent
> responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient,
> you are notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of
> this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received
> this communication in error, please notify Gowlings immediately by
> email at postmaster@gowlings.com. Thank you.
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com
> Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2017 11:59:18 -0400
> Subject: ATTN Ronald J. MacDonald RE Federal Court File No T-1557-15
> we just talked again
> To: ronald.j.macdonald@novascotia.
> ian.hanamansing@cbc.ca, "Larry.Tremblay" Larry.Tremblay@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
> Cc: David Amos david.raymond.amos@gmail.com, dcmurray@scclaw.ca,
> dpink dpink@nsbs.org, dcmurray@criminaldefence.com, "denis.landry2"
> denis.landry2@gnb.ca
>
> Ronald J. MacDonald
> Director:
> Called to the bar: 1985 (NS); Q.C.2002 (NS)
> Nova Scotia Serious Incident Response Team
> Ste. 203, Sir John Thompson Bldg.
> 1256 Barrington St.
> Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 1Y6
> Phone: 902-424-2010
> Cell 902v718 9707
> Fax:
> Email: ronald.j.macdonald@novascotia.
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: David Amos motomaniac333@gmail.com
> Date: Fri, 1 Sep 2017 08:53:48 -0400
> Subject: Attn Michael Comeau RE Federal Court File No T-1557-15 After
> listening to you and your pal Sheriff George Oram talk on CBC about
> guns for your minions to your buddy Terry Sequin I gave you both one
> last call
> To: michael.comeau@gnb.ca, "denis.landry2" denis.landry2@gnb.ca,
> george.oram@gnb.ca, "serge.rousselle" serge.rousselle@gnb.ca,
> "blaine.higgs" blaine.higgs@gnb.ca, "Dominic.Cardy"
> Dominic.Cardy@gnb.ca, "David.Coon" David.Coon@gnb.ca,
> "brian.gallant" brian.gallant@gnb.ca, briangallant10
> briangallant10@gmail.com, "Bill.Morneau" Bill.Morneau@canada.ca,
> "lisa.raitt" lisa.raitt@parl.gc.ca, media-medias@gnb.ca,
> "steve.murphy" steve.murphy@ctv.ca, "Jacques.Poitras"
> Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca, "David.Akin" David.Akin@globalnews.ca,
> gopublic gopublic@cbc.ca, "jeff.michaelson"
> jeff.michaelson@gnb.ca, peacock.kurt@telegraphjournal.
> "hance.colburne" hance.colburne@cbc.ca
> Cc: David Amos david.raymond.amos@gmail.com, jsauvageau@stu.ca,
> "terry.seguin" terry.seguin@cbc.ca, david david@lutz.nb.ca,
> "david.eidt" david.eidt@gnb.ca, "Larry.Tremblay"
> Larry.Tremblay@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, "Liliana.Longo"
> Liliana.Longo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, "jan.jensen"
> jan.jensen@justice.gc.ca, "bill.pentney"
> bill.pentney@justice.gc.ca, washington field
> washington.field@ic.fbi.gov, mcu mcu@justice.gc.ca
>
> You wereno doubt too busy paying attention to dope and Jazz to talk to
> me and the very corrupt Sheriff is on vacation as usual Correct?
>
> http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/
>
> Jean Sauvageau - Armed Courts
> Air Date: Aug 31, 2017 1:00 AM AT
>
> Information Morning - Fredericton
> Jean Sauvageau - Armed Courts
> 00:21 10:42
>
> Terry Seguin talks to a criminology professor who questions the
> Premier's decision to introduce sidearms to the court system.
>
> Jean Sauvageau
> Department of Criminology
> Assistant Professor (1999)
> Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice (Camosun College)
> Honours B.S.Sc. in Criminology (University of Ottawa)
> M.A. in Criminology (University of Ottawa)
> Ph.D. in Criminology (Université catholique de Louvain)
>
> Telephone (506) 452-0478
> Fax (506) 450-9615
> email:jsauvageau@stu.ca
>
> MICHAEL COMEAU
> Deputy Minister
> Justice and Public Safety
> Phone : (506) 453-2208
> Fax : (506) 453-3870
> Email : michael.comeau@gnb.ca
>
> GEORGE ORAM
> Regional Sheriff
> Saint John, Sheriff Services (Regional Office )
> Justice and Public Safety
> Phone : (506) 658-2569
> Fax : (506) 658-2126
> Email : george.oram@gnb.ca
https://nsuarb.novascotia.ca/about/member-biographies
Stephen McGrath, LL.B.
Mr. McGrath was appointed as a full-time Board Member on April 25, 2018 and as Chair on March 1, 2022.
Before joining the Board, Mr. McGrath was a Director of Legal Services with the Nova Scotia Department of Justice, with shared responsibility for the management of legal services for departments and agencies throughout the provincial government. Mr. McGrath was with the Department of Justice for 16 years, and before assuming his role as director, held various positions in the Legal Services Division. His work included advice to the Nova Scotia Department of Energy and appearances before courts and administrative bodies on behalf of numerous departments and agencies of the Government of Nova Scotia. Mr. McGrath was awarded the Premier’s Award of Excellence in 2009 for his work to determine the methodology for Crown Share Adjustment Payments to the Province of Nova Scotia under the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord. Before joining the Province, Mr. McGrath was a partner with the Dartmouth, Nova Scotia law firm, Boyne Clarke. During his 10 years there, his practice focused on commercial litigation and environmental law.
Mr. McGrath was a member and past chair of the Board of Directors of the Regional Residential Services Society and was a former member of the Board of Directors of the Help Line Society. He has also been a volunteer coach with minor hockey.
Mr. McGrath is a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society. He was formerly a Council Member of the Society, is a past chair of the Society’s Code of Professional Conduct Committee and a member of the Ethics Advisory Committee. He is a member of the Canadian Bar Association and was previously a Member of the Executive and Council Member with the Association, and past chair of the Young Lawyers and Civil Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Sections of the Association. He is also a member of CAMPUT: Canada’s Energy and Utility Regulators and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (US).
Roland A. Deveau, K.C.
Roland Deveau was appointed as a Member of the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board in December, 1998 and named as Vice Chair on August 20, 2012.
Before joining the Board, Mr. Deveau practiced law with the firm of Pink, Macdonald, Harding in Yarmouth and Pointe de L'Église, Nova Scotia, where his preferred areas of practice were municipal, administrative and commercial law. He was also involved in various community economic development initiatives, including serving as President of the local Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Deveau is a Past President of the provincial association of French speaking lawyers, as well as a former director and officer of the national “Fédération canadienne des juristes d'expression francaise de common law". He has also served on Bar Council of the Barristers' Society. In 2016 and 2017, he served as President of Golf Canada (the sport's governing body in Canada), and has chaired its Audit and Risk and Compensation Committees. He was Canada’s representative on the R&A Amateur Status Committee in St. Andrews, Scotland from 2014 to 2016. He is a nationally certified golf rules official who has officiated in both provincial and national amateur and professional golf championships, including the PGA Tour.
He holds a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) from Dalhousie University and received his King's Counsel (K.C.) designation in 2010. He is a member of CAMPUT: Canada’s Energy and Utility Regulators, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (US), the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society and the Canadian Bar Association.
Richard J. Melanson, LL.B.
Mr. Melanson was appointed as a full-time member of the Board on July 28, 2016. Originally from Corberrie, Nova Scotia, before joining the Board, Mr. Melanson practiced law in Halifax for 27 years with Blois Nickerson and Bryson LLP. He had extensive experience in administrative law, having acted as an outside counsel to the Board for over twenty years and acted for or appeared before various other administrative tribunals and agencies. He also practiced in the areas of corporate-commercial law, real property transactions, bankruptcy and insolvency and civil litigation. He was involved in the firm’s management, chairing the firm’s articling committee, together with sitting on the firm’s partnership and associates compensation committees.
Mr. Melanson received his Bachelor of Arts (French major-1981) and Bachelor of Education (1983) from Université Sainte-Anne. He is a graduate of Dalhousie Law School, receiving the University Medal in 1988, awarded to the student who achieved the highest average of those obtaining first class distinction in third year studies. He was admitted to the Nova Scotia Bar in 1989.
Mr. Melanson has been an active volunteer in the legal community, including sitting as a Commissioner on the Law Reform Commission of Nova Scotia and the Board of Directors of the provincial association of French speaking lawyers. He has also served as a volunteer with various professional and civic organizations, including chairing the discipline committee as a member of the Board of Examiners of the Nova Scotia Association of Social Workers and holding the position of treasurer with Canadian Parents For French (Nova Scotia).
He is a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society, the Canadian Bar Association, CAMPUT: Canada’s Energy and Utility Regulators, and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (US).
Steven Murphy, MBA, P.Eng.
Mr. Murphy was appointed as a full-time member of the Board on July 28, 2016. Prior to joining the Board, Mr. Murphy worked for 28 years in the Engineering Consulting Industry. He previously worked for WSP Canada and AECOM Canada Ltd., where he served as Senior Manager for Atlantic Canada for both firms. He also worked for CBCL Limited as the Manager of the Municipal Engineering Department, as well as a Senior Project Manager. The primary areas of his engineering practice were water, wastewater and municipal infrastructure projects, providing him the opportunity to work with a number of Municipalities and Utilities throughout Atlantic Canada.
Mr. Murphy holds a Diploma in Engineering from Dalhousie University, a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from Technical University of Nova Scotia, and a Masters of Business Administration from Dalhousie University. He has been a registered professional engineer with Engineers Nova Scotia since 1990. In 2003, he was presented with the Citizenship Award from Engineers Nova Scotia. He is also a past member of the Atlantic Canada Water and Waste Water Association Scholarship Review Committee, the American Water Works Association, and the American Public Works Association.
Mr. Murphy has also demonstrated professional and community service involvement. On the professional side, he is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Consulting Engineers of Nova Scotia and Dalhousie Engineering Alumni Association. On the community side, he served as Chair of the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) Downtown Design Review Committee. He is also an Associate Member and Past National Vice-President of the Canadian Progress Club, where he was presented with a Canadian Progress Club National Member of the Year Award in 2009.
He is a member of CAMPUT: Canada’s Energy and Utility Regulators, and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (US).
Jennifer Nicholson, CPA, CA
Jennifer Nicholson was appointed as a Member of the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board in April 2018.
Jennifer is a graduate of Saint Mary’s University and in 1997 qualified as a Chartered Accountant (now a Chartered Professional Accountant). She qualified with Ernst & Young and following that has held a number of positions. She was Senior Director Stakeholder Relations for Emera from 2006 to 2010. Following that, she was Executive Vice President and Vice President Investor Relations with Brigus Gold. She was CFO and Director of Risk, Environment, Social and Governance for Halterm and prior to being appointed to the Board was a partner in Executive Finance Partners Inc. which, among other things, provided courses in Ethical Intelligence, Board Governance and Executive Presence and provided CFO for hire services for small and medium sized businesses. For a number of years she was a lecturer at Saint Mary’s University and an instructor at the Atlantic School of Chartered Accountancy. Among Jennifer’s volunteer activities are Board Chair of the Blue Nose Marathon, member of the Saint Mary’s University Board of Governors, Treasurer and Secretary of CAMPUT, past Council member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Treasurer of Canadian Martyrs Minor Basketball and a number of other community and charitable organizations.
Bruce Fisher, MPA, CPA, CMA
Mr. Fisher was appointed as a full-time member of the Board on March 1, 2022.
Prior to his appointment Mr. Fisher served in various positions at the Halifax Regional Municipality, most recently as Director of Financial Policy and Planning. During that time he was involved in policymaking on a broad range of topics including budgets, taxation, debt, reserves and low income assistance. He served as a volunteer with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, advising municipal governments in Sri Lanka and the Ukraine. He was previously employed with the Federal Department of Industry in Ottawa and the Nova Scotia Department of Finance.
Mr. Fisher has previously appeared as an expert witness before the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board and has lectured at Dalhousie’s School of Public Administration. He is a graduate of the University of Kings College (Political Science), Dalhousie University (Masters of Public Administration (MPA)) and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA, CMA).
Julia E. Clark, LL.B
Ms. Clark was appointed to the Board on March 1, 2022.
Prior to that she served as a Managing Lawyer with the Legal Services Division of the Department of Justice. While with the Department she was a member of the Government and Social Services Team, providing legal advice to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, and formerly to the Alcohol, Fuel, Tobacco and Gaming Division of Service Nova Scotia and the Department of Economic Development. Prior to joining the Province she spent 12 years with Global Affairs Canada, working as a diplomat and legal specialist in Ottawa and at the Canadian Embassy in Washington DC as a Representative of Canada to the Organization of American States. Her legal work with the federal government focused on International Human Rights and Economic Law and Canada’s Economic Sanctions regime.
Ms. Clark was called to the Nova Scotia Barristers Society in 2005. She is a graduate of Mount Allison University and the University of New Brunswick Law School. She serves as an executive member of the Board of Directors of the Lung Association of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island and volunteers with a number of community-level organizations.
M. Kathleen McManus, K.C.
Ms. McManus was appointed to the Board on November 30, 2022
M. Kathleen McManus, K.C., born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, received her Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics in 1985 and her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in history in 1987 from Dalhousie University. As a Commonwealth Scholar, she received her Doctorate of Philosophy in Constitutional History from the London School of Economics, London, U.K. in 1992. In 1995, she received her Bachelor of Law degree from Dalhousie University. Upon completion of her clerkship with Justice Arthur J. Stone at the Federal Court of Appeal, she was admitted to the Ontario Bar in 1997 and to the Nova Scotia Bar in 2006. She joined the Department of Justice (Canada) in Ottawa in 1997 where she practiced as a civil litigator. She continued this practice upon her move to the Department of Justice (Canada) in Halifax. Her primary areas of practice include administrative law, employment law, constitutional law and Crown law. She has appeared before all levels of court in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario and the Federal Courts, as well as the Canadian International Trade Tribunal and the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. She was appointed King’s Counsel in 2022.
Throughout her career, Ms. McManus has been engaged with her profession and community. She is currently serving as President of the Canadian Bar Association – Nova Scotia Branch and was actively involved with the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and The Advocates’ Society. She has been a part-time member of the faculty at Dalhousie Schulich School of Law since 2002, where she teaches Crown law. She is the co-founder and co-chair of the Crown Law Symposium, an annual event in partnership with the Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University.
Emera finds new Nova Scotia Power president in Ontario
New president and CEO will start in November
An Ontario electricity industry veteran will become the new president and CEO of Nova Scotia Power.
Parent company Emera announced the appointment of Peter Gregg in a press release Wednesday.
Gregg is currently the president of the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) in Ontario, which manages the operation of the bulk electricity system in Ontario.
"I was attracted to this exciting opportunity because NSPI is recognized as an innovative and customer-centric utility with an impressive track record and plan for the continued transition to cleaner energy," Gregg said in a statement.
Gregg takes over from Emera chief operating officer Rick Janega, who has been interim CEO since June.
Latest change at Nova Scotia Power
Emera's news release said Gregg was selected after a rigorous search within Canada that attracted a long list of candidates from inside and outside the company.
Prior to his role at the IESO, Gregg served as the president and CEO of Enersource and chief operating officer at Hydro One Networks, where he was heavily focused on energy distribution in Ontario.
He starts at Nova Scotia Power in November.
Gregg is the latest change at the top of Nova Scotia's power utility, which serves more than 400,000 residential customers.
Last October, Emera announced Nova Scotia Power president Karen Hutt was being appointed executive vice-president of strategy and business development at Emera and would be replaced by Wayne O'Connor as the new CEO.
O'Connor left the company this spring, leading to Janega's appointment in an acting role.
In 2017, Hutt, then the president and CEO, earned $694,568 in compensation. Ratepayers picked up $234,289 of that compensation.
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Peter.Gregg@nspower.ca
Peter Gregg
President and CEO
Peter Gregg is President & CEO of Nova Scotia
Power; a role he assumed in October 2020. In his role, Peter is focused
on planning for Nova Scotia’s clean energy future while overseeing the
delivery of safe, reliable electricity to customers across the province.
Peter
is an experienced leader in the Canadian energy sector. Prior to his
role at NS Power, Peter most recently served as the President & CEO
of the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), where he oversaw
the operation of Ontario’s bulk electricity system. He was also
President and CEO of Enersource from 2014 to 2016, where he was integral
in the merger of four of Ontario’s largest local distribution companies
to create Alectra Inc., the second largest municipally owned utility in
North America. Peter served as COO at Hydro One Networks, overseeing
energy transmission and distribution across Ontario.
Throughout
his career, Peter has been recognized for his leadership abilities and
in 2015 and 2016 received the Ontario Energy Association’s Leader of the
Year Award.
Mr. Gregg is a member of the Electricity
Subsector Coordinating Council, a physical and cyber security
collaboration between the electricity sector and the governments of
Canada and the United States. He is also a member of the Canadian
Electricity Association Board of Directors.
Peter received a
Master of Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of
Business at University of Western Ontario and holds the Institute of
Corporate Directors ICD.D (Certified Director) designation.
Dave Pickles
Chief Operating Officer
Dave Pickles was appointed Chief Operating Officer of Nova Scotia Power Inc. in September 2022 to oversee the operations of the company. His scope of responsibility includes Power Production, Transmission and Distribution, Fuel Procurement and Energy Management and Enterprise Asset Management.
Dave began his career at Nova Scotia Power over 20 years ago and has extensive power generation and energy delivery experience in both Canada and the US. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Electric Delivery for Tampa Electric. Dave and his family relocated to Tampa in 2018 and returned to Nova Scotia in August of 2022. Prior to Tampa Electric, Dave was Vice President of Operations for Emera Energy. He oversaw the operation of Emera Energy owned merchant power facilities in New England, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
Dave has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Dalhousie University. He serves as a member of the Power Delivery Committee for the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies (AEIC). While living in Tampa, he served as board member of the Southeastern Electric Exchange (SEE) and was an active board member of the Hillsborough Education Foundation.
Rene Gallant
Vice President, Strategy and Stakeholder Engagement
Rene Gallant was appointed Vice President of Nova Scotia Power Inc. in September 2022 to oversee the strategic planning and business development of the company as well as stakeholder and community engagement.
Rene began his career with the Emera group of companies over 15 years ago at Nova Scotia Power, as General Manager of Regulatory Affairs and later as Vice President. With wide-ranging experience in regulatory affairs and business development, he served most recently as Chief Operating Officer of New Mexico Gas Company. Prior to that, he was Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at Tampa Electric Company. And as Executive Vice President of Emera Newfoundland and Labrador, Rene oversaw legal and regulatory affairs, finance and strategy.
Rene holds a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie Law School. He served as the Nova Scotia representative on the Council of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada and served on the Public Affairs and Government Relations Committee. As a Past President of the Nova Scotia Barristers Society, Rene chaired the Governance and Nominating Committee, as well as serving on a working group that led the Society’s Transforming Regulation initiative, which was begun under Rene’s leadership.
Judith Ferguson
Executive Vice President, Regulatory, Legal and Government Relations
Judith has been with Nova Scotia Power since 2014. She was appointed Executive Vice President, Regulatory, Legal and Business Planning in March 2016. Prior to this, she was the Vice President, Corporate Affairs.
Judith oversees all legal and regulatory aspects of Nova Scotia Power's business and is also focused on the company’s strategic direction. In addition, she works with all levels of government on the various ways Nova Scotia Power can contribute to the social and economic vitality of the province.
Judith retired from the Province of Nova Scotia where she was Deputy Minister of Justice. Prior to this, Judith served as a Deputy Minister in two other departments and she began her career in government as a legal advisor for the Nova Scotia Department of Justice.
She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Dalhousie University Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of King’s College.
Judith sits on the Board of Directors of Phoenix House, is Vice-Chair of the Board of the Nova Scotia Community College and is a past member of the Board of the Children’s Aid Society of Halifax.
Christopher Smith
Executive Vice President, Finance
Chris joined Nova Scotia Power as Vice President of Finance in 2017.
Chris is responsible for leading Nova Scotia Power’s Finance team, ensuring that our financial management and reporting, as well as our financial planning, risk management and internal controls are consistently best-in-class. As a member of the executive leadership team, he plays a key role in leading our overall business and driving our corporate strategy and business priorities to success.
Previously, Chris was President of Heritage Gas Limited, Nova Scotia’s natural gas distributor, since 2015. He joined Heritage Gas in 2004 and held various senior leadership positions. Previously, Chris held various financial and management roles with private sector organizations.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Dalhousie University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.
Chris is also a member of the Board of Directors of Sport Nova Scotia, Sacred Heart School of Halifax and the Dalhousie University Faculty of Management. He is a past member of the Board of the Canadian Gas Association, the Symphony Nova Scotia Board, and the Dalhousie University Board of Governors, where he also chaired the Audit Committee.
Mark Sidebottom
Chief Clean Energy Officer
Mark was appointed Chief Clean Energy Officer of Nova Scotia Power Inc. in 2022, after holding the Chief Operating Officer position since 2016. In 2021, Mark’s focus moved to leading the company’s decarbonization strategy, with a mandate to significantly reduce carbon emissions while integrating new technologies, innovations, and greener solutions to meet the energy needs of customers.
Mark
began his career at Nova Scotia Power over 30 years ago and throughout
his tenure has managed almost all functions of generating and delivering
electricity to customers. He designed, built and managed power plants,
ensured reliable delivery of electricity to retail customers and managed
fuels portfolios. As Vice President of Generation, Mark managed one of
the fastest transitions to renewables any utility has undertaken as Nova
Scotia Power evolves from 9% renewable energy in 2010 to approximately
60% by 2022.
Mark is a past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. He is a past Treasurer and board member of Junior Achievement Nova Scotia, the Fossil Advisory Board and the Silicon Island Advisory Board. Mark is also the former Chair of the Generation Council for the Canadian Electricity Association.
Mark holds a Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia (now part of Dalhousie University) and is a registered Professional Engineer with Engineers Nova Scotia.
Board of Directors
Our board is made up of nine members and is chaired by Scott Balfour.
Scott Balfour
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Mr. Balfour was appointed Chair of the board of directors in May 2016. He has been Chief Operating Officer, Northeast and Caribbean since March 1, 2016. Prior to that, he had been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since April 16, 2012. From May 2011 to April 2012, Mr. Balfour was President of Ensimian Capital Corporation. From September 2005 to January 2011, he was President and Chief Financial Officer of Aecon Group Inc., a Canadian publicly traded construction and infrastructure development company.
James Eisenhauer
Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
Mr. Eisenhauer returned to Nova Scotia Power’s Board in May 2019 as Lead Independent Director. He previously served on the Board between 2008 and 2016, and as Chair from 2011 to 2016. Mr. Eisenhauer is the President and CEO of AGL Group Holdings Limited (formerly ABCO Group Limited). He is a Professional Engineer and a Chartered Professional Accountant. Committed to the success of our region, he served as a member of the Board of Nova Scotia Business Inc. from 2005 to January 2013. Currently, he is a member of the Board of Stelia Aerospace North America Inc., a member of the Advisory Board of Atlantic Industries Limited, and a board member of Develop Nova Scotia.
Lee Bragg
Fall River, Nova Scotia
Mr. Bragg has been a board member since 2010. He has been CEO of Eastlink, a cable and communications company, and its associated communications companies since 1999. Prior to 1999, Mr. Bragg held various management positions with the Bragg Group of Companies.
Sandra Greer
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Ms. Greer has been on the board of directors since 2014. She is the former President and CEO of AMIRIX Systems Inc./Vemco (2002-2012), a company engaged in the design, manufacturing and worldwide export of underwater acoustic marine tracking devices. Prior to AMIRIX, Ms. Greer held various management positions with Bristol Communications and MTT/Aliant (now Bell Aliant).
Raymond Ivany
Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Mr. Ivany has been a board member since 2011. He has been President and Vice Chancellor of Acadia University since April 2009 and from 2007 to 2009 was Chair of the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia. Mr. Ivany was President and CEO of Nova Scotia Community College from 1998 to 2005 and, prior to that, served as Executive Vice-President at the University College of Cape Breton.
J. Mark Rodger
Toronto, Ontario
Mr. Rodger joined the board of directors in 2018. He is the Toronto Regional Co-Chair of the Electricity Markets Group at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, and a senior partner in the Toronto office. For over 25 years, Mr. Rodger has served as counsel to a broad range of government, industrial, institutional and commercial energy consumers; local distribution and transmission companies; generators; energy retailers; out-of-province electricity importers; and, energy regulators.
Rick Janega
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Mr. Janega joined the board in May, 2018. He is Chief Operating Officer, Electric Utilities, Canada, US Northeast and Caribbean at Emera Inc. and President and CEO of Emera Newfoundland & Labrador (ENL). Rick held a series of increasingly senior roles, including Chief Operating Officer for Nova Scotia Power, overseeing transmission and distribution, fuels, generation and customer service. He began his career working in construction management, manufacturing, and the pulp and paper industry.
Julia Rivard Dexter
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Ms. Rivard Dexter joined the board in February, 2020. An innovative tech entrepreneur and former Olympian, Ms. Dexter has led several successful technology ventures, including her time as CEO of SheepDogInc.ca, Google’s first North American premier Apps partner. She is currently co-founder and CEO of Squiggle Park which aims to improve literacy rates for children worldwide. An experienced board member, Julia is also recognized as a technology industry leader with a history of award-winning performance.
Cassandra Dorrington
Toronto, Ontario
Ms. Dorrington has spent more than 30 years working in private and not-for-profit organizations. After working in various human resources roles for 17 years with MTT/Aliant Inc., the New Glasgow native worked with Deloitte in the human capital practice before cofounding and becoming President of Vale & Associates Human Resource Management and Consulting. For six years, Cassandra advised clients on everything from HR strategy, performance management and executive and senior management coaching. In 2010 she moved to Toronto to become President & CEO of the national, not-for-profit organization the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC). Ms. Dorrington is currently Chair of the FAIR committee and Vice Chair of the Dalhousie University Board of Governors and past Board Chair for the Black Business Enterprises.
What would you do with Emera CEO Scott Balfour’s $8.28 million compensation package?
Emera president Scott Balfour received $8.28 million in compensation in 2021
Emera Inc. president and CEO Scott Balfour took home a whopping $8.28 million dollars in total compensation in 2021, including salary and stock options.
Enough to make you gag in your green beer, the figures for Emera’s top five executives were reported on St.Patrick’s Day in the company’s Management Circular.
Here a short summary of Pay Day for Emera’s Top People:
Scott Balfour, president and CEO, $8.28 million. (6% raise from 2020)
Greg Blunden, Chief Financial Officer, $2.5 million
Bruce Marchand, Chief Legal Counsel, $2.02 million
Karen Hutt, Executive Vice-President, business development and climate strategy, $ 1.64 million
(Hutt made less than $200,000 a year during her three years as president of Nova Scotia Power. Nova Scotia Power executive compensation paid by ratepayers — not to be confused with shareholders — is linked to the top salary paid to a Nova Scotia government deputy minister)
Rick Janega, CEO, Electric Utilities in Canada and Caribbean, $1.63 million
(Janega was responsible for completing the Maritime Link on time and on budget. The Link delivers Muskrat Falls hydro by cable from Newfoundland to Cape Breton.)
The people who served on Emera Inc’s board of directors earned between $250,000 and $300,00 in compensation last year. Chair Jackie Sheppard took home more than $400,00. The company’s annual general meeting will take place in Halifax May 26 and shareholders get to “have a say on pay” if they file all the necessary paperwork.
Although the multinational company that owns Nova Scotia Power and electric and natural gas utilities in Florida, New Mexico, and the Caribbean did not meet its EPS or “Earnings Per Share” objective, every Emera shareholder still saw a 4% increase on last year’s dividend and a TSR (Total Shareholder Return) of 22% on their investment. Not bad, huh? Meanwhile, Nova Scotia Power has a applied for a 10% rate hike over the next three years that will affect all electricity consumers in this province.
Fast facts from the Emera management circular:
• Emera has more than $34 billion in assets.
• Emera states it plans an 80% reduction in coal usage by the end of next year, 2023, and the retirement of Nova Scotia Power’s last coal unit “no later than 2040.”
• Emera says in 2021, the company achieved a 40% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to 2005 levels. This figure includes other companies as well as Nova Scotia Power. “With $5.3 billion committed to clean energy projects, Emera expects to reach its goal of 55% carbon reduction by 2025,” states the filing to SEDAR.
Nova Scotia ratepayers will pay $169.4 million this year for the Maritime Link, despite lack of significant energy deliveries
Nova Scotia ratepayers will continue to be charged almost the full cost of the Maritime Link this year, despite the fact deliveries of hydroelectricity from Muskrat Falls are still only a fraction of what was contracted in 2013.
The $1.76 billion subsea cable built by Nova Scotia Power Maritime Link (NSPML) has been in service since 2018 to bring renewable hydroelectricity from Labrador to Cape Breton.
The 94-page decision issued by the Utility and Review Board (UARB) yesterday acknowledges that after four years of delay, consumers are still receiving only a portion of the NS Block (19% from August 15- November 30, 2021) and that consumers have paid $205.5 million to buy other sources of replacement energy over the past four years.
Officials with NSPML have been unable to provide a firm date when all the energy will arrive because of ongoing delays with the software that controls the transmission of electricity from the dams to mainland Newfoundland via the Labrador Island Link.
That uncertainty appears to be one factor in the UARB’s decision to “hold back” $2 million each month from what Nova Scotia Power can bill ratepayers until most of that electricity is received. (That’s a significant amount, equal to 10% of what the provincial grid consumes today.)
“The Board has determined it is appropriate to continue a form of holdback to provide some continued protection to ratepayers,”explained the UARB in its written decision. “The holdback monies will be used to pay for the cost of any replacement energy that may be required as a result of the failure to achieve the 90%, to a maximum of $2 million per month. Any portion of the $2 million not utilized to pay for replacement cost energy would be paid over to NSPML.”
The “holdback” starts this April and will be reviewed by the UARB next January.
In two previous years, the board refused to allow Nova Scotia Power to collect $10 million from ratepayers because no energy had started to flow. The board appeared skeptical about information from Nova Scotia Power filed after the hearing concluded that claimed deliveries from Muskrat Falls had improved to 70-90% during late December and the first week of January.
“[T]his covers a time period measured in days — not cause for unbridled optimism,” noted the UARB decision. “That evidence was not subject to cross-examination nor submitted under oath and is entitled to little weight. The Board has noted in the past that NSPML and Nova Scotia Power have over-promised and under-delivered when they describe benefits from the Maritime Link. In the 2017 interim assessment hearing, when NSPML was arguing that the Maritime Link was used and useful even in the absence of NS Block, NSPML and Nova Scotia Power stated that energy and other benefits in excess of $120 million in 2018 and 2019 were expected. In fact, those benefits were less than $5 million per year in each of those years.”
Executive Compensation
In an era where huge cost overruns and delays on energy megaprojects are the norm, the UARB praised NSPML for completing the subsea cable on time and on budget, calling it “ a commendable achievement.” And an audit commissioned by the UARB determined that the costs related to how the project was financed and managed were “prudent.”
That said, the UARB refused to allow Nova Scotia Power to stick ratepayers with $13 million for bonuses and incentives paid to retain senior managers between 2013-2018. Intervenors noted that shareholders, not ratepayers, cover the salaries of senior managers with Nova Scotia Power and questioned why the same standard established under the Public Utilities Act shouldn’t apply to bosses with the Maritime Link.
Unfortunately, Nova Scotia Power Maritime Link is not covered by the Public Utilities Act and was created primarily to meet eligibility requirements to get a federal loan guarantee. It’s a technicality. Consumer Advocate Bill Mahody argued ratepayers should not be on the hook for $13 million in executive compensation.
“Ratepayers have paid $650 million in annual assessment and replacement energy costs and received quantified benefits of $17.4 million and 54,000 MWh of power. Such performance does not warrant the consideration of ratepayer funded incentives and donations,” argued Mahody, supported by the Small Business Advocate, and lawyer Nancy Rubin representing large companies such as Michelin Tire and others.
In the end, the UARB simply went back to its previous practice before changes to the Public Utilities Act and gave NSPML half of what it asked for. Ratepayers and Nova Scotia Power will split the $13 million 50-50. NSPML must also cover $700,000 for paying parent company Emera above market rates to rent office space on Upper Water Street and Emera Place.
As for the corporate donations the Maritime Link Project made to various First Nations and communities in Cape Breton, where a sub-station and overhead transmission lines were built, the regulator said those costs can be passed on to ratepayers because building community trust is important when a megaproject is thrust in someone’s backyard.
The UARB agreed that was a “reasonable” approach but then chose to disallow or make Nova Scotia Power pay for about $300,000 of the $1.4 million total in corporate donations.
“[T]he Board considers that some of the contributions and donations made by NSPML fall outside the scope of engagement with Indigenous or local communities, or securing a well-trained and diversified workforce, and appear only remotely connected, if at all, to the communities where construction of the Maritime Link took place,” reads the decision.
Readers will be thrilled to learn Nova Scotia ratepayers will not have to pay for contributions to Jr Achievement Newfoundland, the St John’s Board of Trade Association, and a women’s film festival in St-John’s. Irony intended. Sometimes the small costs are almost as irritating as the big ones. The big one is the $169.4 million that will be rolled into 2022 power rates as approved by the UARB to pay down the cost of the Maritime Link.
Burn Baby Burn
A group composed of municipal utilities around the province (including Berwick, Mahone Bay, and Antigonish) reminded the UARB that Nova Scotia Power had committed to retire its Lingan 2 coal-fired generating station in Cape Breton once hydroelectricity from Labrador was received. Now that that energy has started to flow and a lot more is expected later this year, the municipal utilities group says it’s time that coal-fired unit is shutdown. The UARB agreed.
“The Board advises Nova Scotia Power that it will not permit recovery of operating costs of Lingan 2 beyond August 15, 2022,” reads the decision. “In other words, if Nova Scotia Power proposes to operate Lingan 2 beyond August 15,2022, it will need to seek specific approval.”
NSPML told the regulator it expects to receive another large amount of hydro from Muskrat Falls — that the province is counting on to replace an additional 10% of coal-fired power with renewables — starting this September. That market-priced energy is another important component of the original deal the UARB approved back in 2013 because it was the combination of the market-priced energy plus the NS Block that determined the Maritime Link was the lowest cost alternative for ratepayers.
So far, that has bargain has yet to be kept but the regulator appears confident it will be.
“While there continue to be delivery delays of the NS Block, NS ratepayers will benefit from NSPML’s development of the Maritime Link Project, including its continuing efforts with Nalcor as they both strive to secure an important source of renewable energy for Nova Scotians and our neighbors in Newfoundland and Labrador,” reads the decision.
In the meantime, the UARB is ordering NSPML and Nova Scotia Power to keep filing quarterly reports on the status of Muskrat Falls and the Labrador Island Link commissioning process. It must also file quarterly reports that are to identify costs “associated with replacement cost of undelivered energy and costs associated with extended operation of Lingan 2 and any other thermal resource that was intended to be displaced by Muskrat Falls deliveries.” Hopefully, that will provide more timely and transparent information for both the regulator and the public stuck paying the bill.
Jennifer Henderson is a freelance journalist and retired CBC News reporter
Nova Scotia Power applies for rate increase of 10% over next three years
HALIFAX, N.S. — Residential power users are facing a 10 per cent increase in rates in three steps from 2022 to 2024 in Nova Scotia Power's general rate application put forward to the Utility and Review Board on Thursday.
NSP officials held a technical briefing as well as a media session with president and CEO Peter Gregg just before filing the application.
The power utility is seeking base rate increases of 3.3 per cent for each of the next three years for residential customers. Industrial and business users are also facing increases, with the average rate for large businesses going up 5.2 per cent in 2022, 5.2 per cent in 2023 and 5.3 per cent in 2024. For small businesses, those steps are proposed to be 3.7, 3.7 and 3.8.
Gregg said NSP supports the requirement to phase out reliance on coal-fired generation and meet government goals of 80 per cent renewable energy by 2030.
“But it does represent a significant change in our operating landscape. And climate change means that our weather is changing as well. We're seeing more frequent and intense storm events with increased wind speeds, which affect reliability, and that's especially top-of-mind for us.
“The rate increases for the next three years will support the changes we need to make to enable us to meet government commitments and environmental goals and ensure that we can meet our customers' growing demand for electricity.”
While rates have gone up due to fuel cost recovery, NSP has not submitted a rate application like this since 2012, NSP staffers said during the technical briefing.
The application includes five aspects:
- The creation of a Decarbonization Deferral Account, or DDA, which would be used to park funds in preparation to offset costs related to the closure of NSP's coal-fueled power plants by 2030. NSP is choosing to create this fund, which is anticipated to hold about $370 million, to avoid immediately passing those costs on to customers.
- The creation of a Storm Recovery rider, which would come into effect only if a massive storm affects infrastructure and service along the lines of hurricane Dorian. NSP already has storm effects built into rates but this would be applied only in the case of extraordinary storms and would be capped at 2 per cent. It would also not be applied until a year after the event and NSP staff said the earliest that could happen under the proposed application would be in 2024.
- A system access fee related to Net Metering, which will apply to customers who generate the own power and sell it back to the utility. Any customers who already have their systems in place before Feb. 1 will be exempt from the fee for 25 years from the date they were first connected to the system. Gregg said because Net Metering customers enjoy a subsidy now, customers who don't have those systems would be unfairly paying for those who do to enjoy that benefit. The fee is proposed to be $8 per kilowatt of installed capacity per month.
- Demand Side Management (DSM) relates to the costs related to energy conservation and efficiency programs, which are administered in Nova Scotia by Efficiency One. The DSM rider will provide clarity on costs to customer for these programs. Staff said these are not NSP's costs, but instead are from Efficiency One.
- Ability to Invest covers the need for NSP to have capital. The Return on Equity requirements, to remain at 9 per cent, will include a margin of plus or minus 0.50 per cent and an equity ratio, currently set at 37.5 per cent, to step up in phases to 45 per cent by the end of 2024.
Depending how long the URB takes to consider the application, the new rates for 2022 could come into effect on Aug. 1, 2022. The other steps are proposed to come into effect on Jan. 1, 2023, and Jan. 1, 2024.
“I want our customers to know that we don't take decisions about raising rates lightly,” Gregg said. “We understand the impact that rate increases can have on our customers and it's been a huge consideration as we've contemplated filing this application.
“We recognize that every dollar that we invest in our operations comes at a cost to our customers. That means that we always need to balance affordability with the investments needed to ensure reliable power is provided to our customers across Nova Scotia.”
Gregg said it's important to continue to invest in the system to meet the commitment to provide safe and reliable electricity to all of NSP's customers.
The creation of the DDA is to meet commitments to a greener system but avoid putting all of the accelerated costs on the shoulders of customers all at once, he said.
“We think this is a prudent and effective way of doing it,” he said.
As for the system access fee for customers who will be generating their own electricity, Gregg said it's an issue of fairness or equity.
“What we want to avoid is customers that don't have access or the ability to generate their own electricity to be covering the cost or subsidizing costs for those who do have the ability to do it. And that is the situation that exists right now.”
Those who generate electricity currently qualify for a subsidy that reduces the amount they pay on their bill but they continue to be connected to the grid and receive some power. As they pay less, it happens that the rest of customers' costs go up, Gregg said.
With the storm rider, Gregg said NSP is not asking for a way out of having responsibility to harden the system against weather. Instead, the storm rider process depends on having four increasing levels of storm events. The first two levels would be accounted for in existing rates. The storm rider would only come into effect if a storm's ferocity reaches into the third and fourth levels.
NSP doesn't want to build contingency costs into rates in advance for the more extreme storms as that would increase every bill.
“What we're saying is if those more extreme weather events do occur, whether Level 3 or Level 4 storms, and there's more cost that comes from that over and above the forecast that become set in rates, then we would have the ability to come back and seek to recover those costs with a two per cent cap annually in place. And so the motivation still exists to manage our costs appropriately.”
When asked why NSP did not choose to ask for a reduction in their built-in profit, Gregg said they are not asking for more than what they need to run a reliable business.
BRIAN GIFFORD: Three ways to limit impact of power hikes on low-income Nova Scotians
BRIAN GIFFORD • Guest Opinion
Brian Gifford lives in Halifax. He is chair of the Affordable Energy Coalition.
Nova Scotia Power’s application for large rate increases raises many controversial questions. Premier Tim Houston has said the Nova Scotia government is “exploring all options; nothing is off the table.”
The Affordable Energy Coalition believes that while considering the proposed rate increase, we must be laser-focused on practical solutions that will work for the people who will be most badly affected by whatever the rate turns out to be. Households in energy poverty already face high energy costs, sometimes having to choose between eating, heating, and lighting their homes. In addition to setting goals on climate change, the new Environmental Goals Act passed in the fall also promised equity. We must ensure low- and modest-income and marginalized households are not left behind as we decarbonize our economy. We can and must address the climate emergency and reduce energy poverty at the same time. Now is the time to take steps needed to make this possible.
There are three practical solutions we strongly encourage the Nova Scotia government to act on and other Nova Scotians to vigorously support.
Solution 1: Create a Universal Service Program, as many U.S. jurisdictions and Ontario have done. Such programs make sure people don’t lose access to energy services due to their low income. Energy is essential to modern life — heating, lights and food preparation. The best of these programs cap energy costs at six per cent of income for low-income households. The Ontario program instead provides standardized monthly subsidies based on income and family size. A Universal Service Program is a well-proven way to make sure low-income households can keep the lights on while longer-term solutions are implemented.
Substantial energy efficiency upgrades to low-income homes are the longer-term solution. The second and third practical solutions we can act on now will boost our efforts at installing efficiency upgrades to lower bills for low-income households.
Solution 2: A new three-year contract for efficiency services provided by Efficiency Nova Scotia to NSP in 2023-2025 is being negotiated now. We must support a new contract that includes substantially expanded low-income program funding.
Solution 3: The Nova Scotia government and others can support a national campaign led by Efficiency Canada for $2 billion in low-income efficiency funding in the next federal budget to boost existing efforts across the country, including here in Nova Scotia.
This would provide the same amount of federal funding for low-income efficiency programs as the money that they have already committed in the Greener Homes program to help higher-income households pay for efficiency upgrades. Successful energy efficiency programs for low-income households cover 100 per cent of the costs of upgrades, and organize the work so it is done effectively and in a timely manner — this is what Nova Scotia’s HomeWarming program does.
Energy poverty occurs when low- and modest-income households spend over six per cent of income on energy. Nova Scotia has one of the highest rates of energy poverty in the country due to high oil prices and power rates and low incomes. The province has made real strides in reducing energy bills with programs that have created permanent, substantial annual savings for over 18,000 low-income households. The HomeWarming program and its predecessors have installed major efficiency upgrades such as insulation and air sealing in homes owned by low-income households. Other programs offered by Efficiency Nova Scotia help Mi’kmaw communities, shelters and landlords with low-income tenants to secure similar savings.
On average, efficiency upgrades in the HomeWarming program save low-income homeowners about 30 per cent on home energy bills — each household saves over $500 per year in energy costs for electrically-heated homes or $900/year for oil-heated homes. They also benefit from warmer, more comfortable homes while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
We must increase the depth and speed of existing provincial programs so all low- and modest-income Nova Scotians can benefit from lower energy costs. What Nova Scotians pay for energy is not only in their electricity bills. Oil heating is far more expensive and creates more greenhouse gases than highly efficient electric heat pumps. HomeWarming should aim for at least 50 per cent savings instead of 30 per cent — through a combination of insulation and switching to heat pumps or zero-emissions heating.
We must also expand who qualifies for efficiency upgrades. Many modest-income households also suffer from energy poverty. They struggle with energy costs and can’t afford efficiency upgrades. In African Nova Scotian communities, many households aren’t eligible for HomeWarming due to unclear property title due to past racist practices. Modest-income households facing energy poverty and African Nova Scotians with unclear property title must be included in low-income efficiency programs.
Energy efficiency programs for low- and modest-income households and marginalized communities are an essential part of the transition to a low-carbon economy. These programs also reduce longstanding energy poverty. A Universal Service Program will reduce energy poverty in the meantime. We know what works. Now we need to build on our successes and scale up existing programs to make the transition to zero-carbon homes as fast and inclusive as it needs to be.
We call on Nova Scotians and the provincial government to support these practical solutions. We also call on the federal government to recognize the double benefits of supporting low-income energy efficiency programs across the country and here in Nova Scotia by committing $2 billion in funding for low-income energy efficiency in the upcoming federal budget.
To support federal funding for low-income efficiency see Efficiency Canada: https://www.efficiencycanada.org/low-income-energy-efficiency-2022#supporter
To access existing Nova Scotia programs: Homewarming: https://www.homewarming.ca/
Efficiency Nova Scotia’s Affordable Multi-family Housing Program: https://www.efficiencyns.ca/business/business-types/affordable-housing/
For more information or to arrange interviews, contact Brian Gifford, Affordable Energy Coalition and Nova Scotians for Tax Fairness at (902) 454-1656 (h), (782) 234-4766 (cell) or brian.gifford@eastlink.ca ;
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Re NSP Maritime Link and the circus begins again for Emera during another election EH Mr Smellie?
A little Deja Vu for Nova Scotia Power and Emera's Irving buddies in New Brunswick | ||||||||||||
David Amos<motomaniac333@gmail.com> | Thu, May 30, 2013 at 2:05 AM |
| To: jamiebaillie <jamiebaillie@gov.ns.ca> | |
| Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> | |
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "IRVING, SASHA" <Sasha.Irving@emera.com> Date: Thu, 30 May 2013 05:00:23 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: A little Deja Vu for Nova Scotia Power and Emera's Irving buddies in New Brunswick To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> I will be away from the office attending the UARB hearing on the Maritme Link application from May 28 until the 2nd week of June. I will be checking email throughout the day and will get back to you as soon as possible. For Emera media inquiries other than those related to the Maritime Link please contact Dina Bartolacci Seely at Dina.Bartolacci@emera.com If require immediate assistance, please contact Jennifer Neild Cameron at 428-6831 ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "McLaughlin, Heather" <mclaughlin.heather@ Date: Thu, 30 May 2013 05:00:28 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: A little Deja Vu for Nova Scotia Power and Emera's Irving buddies in New Brunswick To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> Assignment editor Heather McLaughlin is out of the office until Monday afternoon June 3. Please send your emails to news@dailygleaner.com. For personal assistance, contact Gisele McKnight at 458-6434. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Nancy G Rubin <nrubin@stewartmckelvey.com> Date: Thu, 30 May 2013 05:00:24 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: A little Deja Vu for Nova Scotia Power and Emera's Irving buddies in New Brunswick To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> Out of Office Notice I'm in hearings from May 28th through Friday June 7th. I will have periodic access to email, although a response may be delayed. For urgent matters, you may contact my assistant, Leona Clements 420-3200 ext. 237 or lmclements@stewartmckelvey.com and she will redirect your enquiry. For pre-publication advice, my partner Karen Bennett-Clayton at 420-3377 or kbennettclayton@ assist. Nancy Rubin ****************************** This e-mail message (including attachments, if any) is confidential and may be privileged. Any unauthorized distribution or disclosure is prohibited. Disclosure to anyone other than the intended recipient does not constitute waiver of privilege. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify us and delete it and any attachments from your computer system and records. ------------------------------ Ce courriel (y compris les pièces jointes) est confidentiel et peut être privilégié. La distribution ou la divulgation non autorisée de ce courriel est interdite. Sa divulgation à toute personne autre que son destinataire ne constitue pas une renonciation de privilège. Si vous avez reçu ce courriel par erreur, veuillez nous aviser et éliminer ce courriel, ainsi que les pièces jointes, de votre système informatique et de vos dossiers. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Britt Dysart <bdysart@stewartmckelvey.com> Date: Thu, 30 May 2013 05:00:24 +0000 Subject: Automatic reply: A little Deja Vu for Nova Scotia Power and Emera's Irving buddies in New Brunswick To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> I am out of the office in meetings much of today, and will not have regular access to my email or voicemail during this time. Please contact my assistant,Sonja at 506-443-9942 and she will direct your inquiry. Otherwise, I will contact you upon my return . ****************************** This e-mail message (including attachments, if any) is confidential and may be privileged. Any unauthorized distribution or disclosure is prohibited. Disclosure to anyone other than the intended recipient does not constitute waiver of privilege. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify us and delete it and any attachments from your computer system and records. ------------------------------ Ce courriel (y compris les pièces jointes) est confidentiel et peut être privilégié. La distribution ou la divulgation non autorisée de ce courriel est interdite. Sa divulgation à toute personne autre que son destinataire ne constitue pas une renonciation de privilège. Si vous avez reçu ce courriel par erreur, veuillez nous aviser et éliminer ce courriel, ainsi que les pièces jointes, de votre système informatique et de vos dossiers. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com> Date: Thu, 30 May 2013 02:00:19 -0300 Subject: A little Deja Vu for Nova Scotia Power and Emera's Irving buddies in New Brunswick To: sasha.irving@emera.com, "macpherson.don" < macpherson.don@dailygleaner. < mclaughlin.heather@ < oldmaison@yahoo.com>, bruce.alec@gmail.com, bdysart@stewartmckelvey.com, nrubin <nrubin@stewartmckelvey.com>, "james.smellie" <james.smellie@gowlings.com>, bruce.northrup@gnb.ca, markandcaroline <markandcaroline@gmail.com>, Robert.Jones@cbc.ca, david_wheeler@cbu.ca Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> byron.james@gnb.ca, ddexter@ns.sympatico.ca, hongkong@nb.sympatico.ca http://www.cbu.ca/news/ http:// ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Amos" <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> To: "jack. keir" <jack.keir@gnb.ca>; "sasha.irving" < sasha.irving@emera.com>; "jack. carr" <jack.carr@gnb.ca>; "tomp. young" < tomp.young@atlanticradio. < Tim.RICHARDSON@gnb.ca>; "tim. porter" <Tim.Porter@gnb.ca>; "carl. davies" < carl.davies@gnb.ca>; "shawn. graham" <shawn.graham@gnb.ca>; "Ivan. court" < Ivan.court@saintjohn.ca>; "abel. leblanc" <abel.leblanc@gnb.ca>; "kelly. lamrock" <kelly.lamrock@gnb.ca>; "byron. james" <byron.james@gnb.ca>; "greg. byrne" <greg.byrne@gnb.ca> Cc: <David.ALWARD@gnb.ca>; <Jody.CARR@gnb.ca>; "nb. premier" < nb.premier@gmail.com>; "nbpolitico" <nbpolitico@gmail.com>; "nbombud" < nbombud@gnb.ca>; "dan. bussieres" <dan.bussieres@gnb.ca>; "hongkong" < hongkong@nb.sympatico.ca>; <spinks08@hotmail.com>; <bruce.northrup@gnb.ca>; "bruce.alec" <bruce.alec@gmail.com>; "bruce.fitch" <bruce.fitch@gnb.ca>; "bdysart" <bdysart@smss.com>; "ndpnpd" <ndpnpd@nbnet.nb.ca>; < ddexter@ns.sympatico.ca>; <graham@grahamsteele.ca>; "Barry Winters" < sunrayzulu@shaw.ca> Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 12:08 PM Subject: Fwd: Now this is funny tell me who is dumber the greedy arsehole Jacky Boy Keir or the French bastard Chucky Leblanc? > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: David Amos > Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 10:44:39 -0800 (PST) > Subject: Now this is funny tell me who is dumber the greedy arsehole > Jacky Boy Keir or the French bastard Chucky Leblanc? > To: danf@danf.net, injusticecoalition@hotmail.com > < alltrue@nl.rogers.com>, oldmaison@yahoo.com, "William J. Wagener" > < producer@onsecondthought.tv> > Cc: Robert.Jones@cbc.ca, david.raymond.amos@gmail.com > > Just Dave > By Location Visit Detail > Visit 9,654 > Domain Name (Unknown) > IP Address 66.46.188.# (Canadian Broadcasting Corp.) > ISP MTS Allstream Business > Location Continent : North America > Country : Canada (Facts) > State/Region : Quebec > City : Montreal > Lat/Long : 45.5, -73.5833 (Map) > Language French (Canada) fr-ca > Operating System Microsoft WinXP > Browser Internet Explorer 6.0 > Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; GTB6; .NET CLR > 1.1.4322; .NET CLR 2.0.50727) > Javascript version 1.3 > Monitor Resolution : 1280 x 800 > Color Depth : 32 bits > Time of Visit Nov 4 2009 11:07:21 am > Last Page View Nov 4 2009 11:07:21 am > Visit Length 0 seconds > Page Views 1 > Referring URL http://www.google.ca...rving& > Search Engine google.ca > Search Words "jack keir" irving > Visit Entry Page http://davidamos.blo...- > Visit Exit Page http://davidamos.blo...- > Out Click > Time Zone UTC-4:00 > Visitor's Time Nov 4 2009 11:07:21 am > Visit Number 9,654 > > Just Dave > By Location Visit Detail > Visit 9,656 > Domain Name cciw.ca ? (Canada) > IP Address 198.73.130.# (JD IRVING LIMITED) > ISP JD IRVING LIMITED > Location Continent : North America > Country : Canada (Facts) > State/Region : New Brunswick > City : Saint John > Lat/Long : 45.2667, -66.0667 (Map) > Language English (U.S.) en-us > Operating System Microsoft WinXP > Browser Internet Explorer 6.0 > Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; .NET CLR > 2.0.50727; InfoPath.1) > Javascript version 1.3 > Monitor Resolution : 1280 x 800 > Color Depth : 32 bits > Time of Visit Nov 4 2009 11:58:15 am > Last Page View Nov 4 2009 11:59:25 am > Visit Length 1 minute 10 seconds > Page Views 2 > Referring URL http://www.blogger.c... > Visit Entry Page http://davidamos.blo...es- > Visit Exit Page http://davidamos.blogspot.com/ > Out Click View my complete profile > http://www.blogger.c... > Time Zone UTC-4:00 > Visitor's Time Nov 4 2009 11:58:15 am > Visit Number 9,656 > > > http:// > > Tuesday, November 03, 2009 > Energy Minister Jack Keir is confronted by the Blogger on the issue of > NB Power and Hydro Quebec!!! > > Yesterday Energy Minister Jack Keir gave a stern lecture to the media. > > He said "I haven't lost one second of sleep on the business deal > itself. I believe in my heart this is a great decision, a great > business case for New Brunswick moving forward," Keir said. > > "I've lost lots of sleep on the political side." > > Sounds like this Minister is not human. No emotion whatever of the NB > Power and Quebec Hydro Deal. > > He sleeps good I guess? > > He also added that he reads the blogs??? Blogs???? Is there more??? > > lol > > I saw Minister Jack Keir walking inside the Departmental Building. > > I presume he was attending a media scrum. > > Afterwards, he was outside relaxing so I decided to try my luck with > the Minister. > > Click below for a funny but stern video -< The media scrum was easy > compared to this one >..lol > > Posted by Charles LeBlanc at 10:57:00 PM > 6 comments: > > Anonymous said... > Hope the crook enjoys his stolen pension. > > I just can't wait to see what jobs these thieves have lined up for > their dedicated service to corrupt business interests. > > Head spin master for the Bermudans? > 3:12 AM, November 04, 2009 > > Anonymous said... > Charles, > Sorry to say but you made an idiot out of yourself on this > "youtube"....If you want to be a journalist you're going to have to > start reading up on the facts about your stories...Oh and if your > friends with fellow journalist Terry Segin tell him he looked like a > real idiot when he interviewed Graham the other day as well! > 7:01 AM, November 04, 2009 > > Charles LeBlanc said... > Merci!!! > > :) > 7:39 AM, November 04, 2009 > > Anonymous said... > The Minister seemed intelligent, sincere, and funny - the type of guy > you'd want to have a beer with. He was rational and his account of the > facts is something more New Brunswickers need to hear. I, for one, am > sick of all this rhetoric that has surrounded this issue. The fact is > Charles, you approached that interview like an ACTIVIST, not a > journalist, with your barrage of questions about brainwashing, etc. > This is why that Tim Porter guy won't let you into events - it's more > your attitude rather than your status as a blogger. Just a bit of > advice. That said, I do enjoy your blog and encourage you to work on > being objective. > 9:09 AM, November 04, 2009 > > mikel said... > I said it at the CBC site-only a government employee would go into a > business deal with only one buyer and accept a deal without getting > any other offers and be happy with it 'as an economic decision'. > > It IS hard to get critical information, but for that, go to NBPowers > website. THey have all their annual reports there with data going back > to 1996. > > Then go to the annual reports of other public utilities. Or just > compare their debts. > > The comment about 'saving' NBPower is a red herring. It doesn't NEED > 'saving'. I've said it before, and I will again, the public is already > responsible for that debt (just like quebecers are responsible for the > 36 billion HQ owes). The NB Power debt could be wiped free IF people > wanted. Added into general revenues that makes NB's TOTAL debt about > 12 billion, which is about the same as the debt in Nova Scotia. > > That's not 'good', but not horrible. I've been adding up the provinces > net debt for back years as well, I'm not done, but I'm almost sure > that actually NB Power has done a better job managing its debt than > have successive provincial governments. Perhaps NB Power should run > the legislature!:) > > But some blogs have more 'data' than others. Both views of the deal > are 'valid' because nobody can see the future. The REAL issue, again, > is the abject anti democratic nature of this. This isn't like saying > 'we won't raise taxes' and then finding out you NEED to raise taxes. > This is a publicly owned utility that began in 1920, almost a hundred > years ago which belongs to New Brunswickers. YOU pay on the debt and > the bills, it belongs to YOU. > > And maybe I don't think YOU are smart enough so I suddenly show up at > your door and say "I'm going to manage your assets for you....your car > has to go, but don't worry, I'll rent it to you, don't worry, its a > really good deal that I've thought through thoroughly". That analogy > is even more exact when you recall that the majority of New > Brunswickers didn't even vote liberal, they voted for Bernard Lord. > > I must say I"m always surprised when I see voters get a knife in the > back but then say "well the pains not bad...and he's such a friendly > guy!" Just make sure if he offers you a beer you get the cash BEFORE > you order. > 9:54 AM, November 04, 2009 > > Todd Nomas said... > Good he reads blogs. So read this. You stole pension money and sold > out the province. > > I will publicly debate any politician, anytime, anywhere on this. > > You had no f'ing mandate to do this deal. NONE. ZIP. NOTTA! > > Shawn said he would not sell NB Power. Shawnoico seems fitting now, > doesn't it? > > HE IS A LIAR! Sue me for saying that. Come on...I dare you! > > SO READ MY LIPS: Have you been elected and served 2 terms yet? If not, > you will not get to share in that pension that you ripped off from me. > > The Liberals chance at forming the next government are about as good > as Charles Leblanc is at becoming President of the USA. > > Come on. Debate me. Bring it on. Name the time and place and I will be > there. Bring the damn cameras. > > You won't. You do not have the guts. > 10:26 AM, November 04, 2009 > Post a Comment > > > Just Dave > By Location Visit Detail > Visit 9,657 > Domain Name aliant.net ? (Network) > IP Address 142.166.32.# (Stentor National Integrated Communications > Network) > ISP Stentor National Integrated Communications Network > Location Continent : North America > Country : Canada (Facts) > State/Region : New Brunswick > City : Fredericton > Lat/Long : 45.95, -66.6333 (Map) > Language French (Canada) fr-ca > Operating System Microsoft WinXP > Browser Internet Explorer 7.0 > Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 5.1; Trident/4.0; .NET > CLR 1.1.4322; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.0.04506.30; .NET CLR > 3.0.04506.648; .NET CLR 3.0.4506.2152; .NET CLR 3.5.30729) > Javascript version 1.3 > Monitor Resolution : 1024 x 768 > Color Depth : 16 bits > Time of Visit Nov 4 2009 12:12:45 pm > Last Page View Nov 4 2009 12:12:45 pm > Visit Length 0 seconds > Page Views 1 > Referring URL http://www.google.ca...C CTIC&start=10&sa=N > Search Engine google.ca > Search Words ombudsman bernard richard nbsc ctic > Visit Entry Page http://davidamos.blo.../03/me- > Visit Exit Page http://davidamos.blo.../03/me- > Out Click > Time Zone UTC-4:00 > Visitor's Time Nov 4 2009 12:12:45 pm > Visit Number 9,657 > > Just Dave > By Location Visit Detail > Visit 9,576 > Domain Name smartmeter.com ? (Commercial) > IP Address 142.67.28.# (Nova Scotia Power) > ISP Nova Scotia Power > Location Continent : North America > Country : Canada (Facts) > State/Region : Nova Scotia > City : Halifax > Lat/Long : 44.65, -63.6 (Map) > Language English (U.S.) en-us > Operating System Microsoft WinXP > Browser Internet Explorer 7.0 > Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 5.1; Trident/4.0; > InfoPath.1; .NET CLR 1.1.4322; .NET CLR 2.0.50727) > Javascript version 1.3 > Monitor Resolution : 1680 x 1050 > Color Depth : 32 bits > Time of Visit Oct 27 2009 12:39:00 pm > Last Page View Oct 27 2009 12:45:05 pm > Visit Length 6 minutes 5 seconds > Page Views 4 > Referring URL http://www.google.co...ame%22& > Search Engine google.com > Search Words "nobody will say my name" > Visit Entry Page http://davidamos.blogspot.com/ > Visit Exit Page http://davidamos.blogspot.com/ > Out Click View my complete profile > http://www.blogger.c... > Time Zone UTC-3:00 > Visitor's Time Oct 27 2009 1:39:00 pm > Visit Number 9,576 > > Just Dave > By Location Visit Detail > Visit 9,567 > Domain Name gc.ca ? (Canada) > IP Address 192.197.82.# (Canadian House of Commons) > ISP Canadian House of Commons > Location Continent : North America > Country : Canada (Facts) > State/Region : Ontario > City : Ottawa > Lat/Long : 45.4167, -75.7 (Map) > Language English (Canada) en-ca > Operating System Microsoft WinNT > Browser Internet Explorer 7.0 > Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 6.0; Trident/4.0; SLCC1; > .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.5.21022; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; MDDR; > InfoPath.2; .NET CLR 3.0.30729) > Javascript version 1.3 > Monitor Resolution : 800 x 600 > Color Depth : 32 bits > Time of Visit Oct 26 2009 5:47:43 pm > Last Page View Oct 26 2009 5:47:43 pm > Visit Length 0 seconds > Page Views 1 > Referring URL http://www.bing.com/...DDR& > Search Engine bing.com > Search Words baconfat53.blogspot.com > Visit Entry Page http://davidamos.blo...04/ > Visit Exit Page http://davidamos.blo...04/ > Out Click > Time Zone UTC-6:00 > Visitor's Time Oct 26 2009 3:47:43 pm > Visit Number 9,567 > > Just Dave > By Location Visit Detail > Visit 9,568 > Domain Name bell.ca ? (Canada) > IP Address 67.71.83.# (Bell Sympatico) > ISP Bell Canada > Location Continent : North America > Country : Canada (Facts) > State/Region : Ontario > City : Ottawa > Lat/Long : 45.4167, -75.7 (Map) > Language English (Canada) en-ca > Operating System Microsoft WinXP > Browser Internet Explorer 7.0 > Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 5.1; Trident/4.0; .NET > CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.0.4506.2152; .NET CLR 3.5.30729) > Javascript version 1.3 > Monitor Resolution : 1024 x 768 > Color Depth : 32 bits > Time of Visit Oct 26 2009 6:07:14 pm > Last Page View Oct 26 2009 6:07:14 pm > Visit Length 0 seconds > Page Views 1 > Referring URL http://www.google.ca...earch& > Search Engine google.ca > Search Words "nobody will say my name" > Visit Entry Page http://davidamos.blogspot.com/ > Visit Exit Page http://davidamos.blogspot.com/ > Out Click > Time Zone UTC-4:00 > Visitor's Time Oct 26 2009 6:07:14 pm > Visit Number 9,568 > > Just Dave > By Location Visit Detail > Visit 9,656 > Domain Name cciw.ca ? (Canada) > IP Address 198.73.130.# (JD IRVING LIMITED) > ISP JD IRVING LIMITED > Location Continent : North America > Country : Canada (Facts) > State/Region : New Brunswick > City : Saint John > Lat/Long : 45.2667, -66.0667 (Map) > Language English (U.S.) en-us > Operating System Microsoft WinXP > Browser Internet Explorer 6.0 > Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; .NET CLR > 2.0.50727; InfoPath.1) > Javascript version 1.3 > Monitor Resolution : 1280 x 800 > Color Depth : 32 bits > Time of Visit Nov 4 2009 11:58:15 am > Last Page View Nov 4 2009 11:59:25 am > Visit Length 1 minute 10 seconds > Page Views 2 > Referring URL http://www.blogger.c... > Visit Entry Page http://davidamos.blo...es- > Visit Exit Page http://davidamos.blogspot.com/ > Out Click View my complete profile > http://www.blogger.c... > Time Zone UTC-4:00 > Visitor's Time Nov 4 2009 11:58:15 am > Visit Number 9,656 > > Just Dave > By Location Visit Detail > Visit 9,655 > Domain Name GNB.CA ? (Canada) > IP Address 142.139.0.# (Province of New Brunswick) > ISP Province of New Brunswick > Location Continent : North America > Country : Canada (Facts) > State/Region : New Brunswick > City : Fredericton > Lat/Long : 45.95, -66.6333 (Map) > Language English (U.S.)en-us > Operating System Microsoft WinXP > Browser Internet Explorer 7.0 > Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 5.1; InfoPath.1; .NET > CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.0.04506.30; .NET CLR 3.0.04506.648; .NET CLR > 1.1.4322; .NET CLR 3.0.4506.2152; .NET CLR 3.5.30729) > Javascript version 1.3 > Monitor Resolution : 1280 x 1024 > Color Depth : 32 bits > Time of Visit Nov 4 2009 11:27:22 am > Last Page View Nov 4 2009 11:29:19 am > Visit Length 1 minute 57 seconds > Page Views 2 > Referring URL http://www.google.ca...nuski& > Search Engine google.ca > Search Words barbaracanuski > Visit Entry Page http://davidamos.blo...ankee- > Visit Exit Page http://davidamos.blogspot.com/ > Out Click http://www.charlesinthehouse. > http://www.charlesinthehouse. > Time Zone UTC-4:00 > Visitor's Time Nov 4 2009 11:27:22 am > Visit Number 9,655 > > Just Dave > By Location Visit Detail > Visit 9,578 > Domain Name smartmeter.com ? (Commercial) > IP Address 142.67.28.# (Nova Scotia Power) > ISP Nova Scotia Power > Location Continent : North America > Country : Canada (Facts) > State/Region : Nova Scotia > City : Halifax > Lat/Long : 44.65, -63.6 (Map) > Language English (U.S.) en-us > Operating System Microsoft WinXP > Browser Internet Explorer 6.0 > Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; .NET CLR > 1.1.4322; InfoPath.1) > Javascript version 1.3 > Monitor Resolution : 1024 x 768 > Color Depth : 32 bits > Time of Visit Oct 27 2009 1:43:37 pm > Last Page View Oct 27 2009 1:46:21 pm > Visit Length 2 minutes 44 seconds > Page Views 2 > Referring URL > Visit Entry Page http://davidamos.blogspot.com/ > Visit Exit Page http://davidamos.blogspot.com/ > Out Click > Time Zone UTC-3:00 > Visitor's Time Oct 27 2009 2:43:37 pm > Visit Number 9,578 > > Just Dave > By Location Visit Detail > Visit 9,579 > Domain Name smartmeter.com ? (Commercial) > IP Address 142.67.28.# (Nova Scotia Power) > ISP Nova Scotia Power > Location Continent : North America > Country : Canada (Facts) > State/Region : Nova Scotia > City : Halifax > Lat/Long : 44.65, -63.6 (Map) > Language English (U.S.) en-us > Operating System Microsoft WinXP > Browser Internet Explorer 6.0 > Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; .NET CLR > 1.1.4322; InfoPath.1) > Javascript version 1.3 > Monitor Resolution : 1280 x 1024 > Color Depth : 32 bits > Time of Visit Oct 27 2009 2:27:15 pm > Last Page View Oct 27 2009 2:30:53 pm > Visit Length 3 minutes 38 seconds > Page Views 6 > Referring URL > Visit Entry Page http://www.davidamos.blogspot. > Visit Exit Page http://davidamos.blogspot.com > Out Click > Time Zone UTC-3:00 > Visitor's Time Oct 27 2009 3:27:15 pm > Visit Number 9,579 > > Just Dave > By Location Visit Detail > Visit 9,581 > Domain Name (Unknown) > IP Address 65.48.159.# (Unknown Organization) > ISP Unknown ISP > Location Continent : North America > Country : Canada (Facts) > State/Region : Ontario > City : Kitchener > Lat/Long : 43.45, -80.5 (Map) > Language English (U.S.) en-us > Operating System Microsoft WinNT > Browser Firefox > Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 6.0; en-US; rv:1.9.1.3) > Gecko/20090824 Firefox/3.5.3 (.NET CLR 3.5.30729) > Javascript version 1.5 > Monitor Resolution : 1366 x 768 > Color Depth : 32 bits > Time of Visit Oct 27 2009 2:56:56 pm > Last Page View Oct 27 2009 2:58:05 pm > Visit Length 1 minute 9 seconds > Page Views 2 > Referring URL http://www.google.co...ial& > Search Engine google.com > Search Words "michael.capatides@cibc.com" > Visit Entry Page http://davidamos.blo...es- > Visit Exit Page http://davidamos.blo...m/ > Out Click > Time Zone UTC-4:00 > Visitor's Time Oct 27 2009 2:56:56 pm > Visit Number 9,581 > > Just Dave > By Location Visit Detail > Visit 9,582 > Domain Name smartmeter.com ? (Commercial) > IP Address 142.67.28.# (Nova Scotia Power) > ISP Nova Scotia Power > Location Continent : North America > Country : Canada (Facts) > State/Region : Nova Scotia > City : Halifax > Lat/Long : 44.65, -63.6 (Map) > Language English (U.S.) en-us > Operating System Microsoft WinXP > Browser Internet Explorer 6.0 > Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; .NET CLR > 1.1.4322; InfoPath.1) > Javascript version 1.3 > Monitor Resolution : 1280 x 1024 > Color Depth : 32 bits > Time of Visit Oct 27 2009 3:15:15 pm > Last Page View Oct 27 2009 3:15:15 pm > Visit Length 0 seconds > Page Views 1 > Referring URL > Visit Entry Page http://www.davidamos.blogspot. > Visit Exit Page http://www.davidamos.blogspot. > Out Click > Time Zone UTC-3:00 > Visitor's Time Oct 27 2009 4:15:15 pm > Visit Number 9,582 > > Just Dave > By Location Visit Detail > Visit 9,583 > Domain Name smartmeter.com ? (Commercial) > IP Address 142.67.28.# (Nova Scotia Power) > ISP Nova Scotia Power > Location Continent : North America > Country : Canada (Facts) > State/Region : Nova Scotia > City : Halifax > Lat/Long : 44.65, -63.6 (Map) > Language English (U.S.) en-us > Operating System Microsoft WinXP > Browser Internet Explorer 6.0 > Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; .NET CLR > 1.1.4322; InfoPath.1) > Javascript version 1.3 > Monitor Resolution : 1280 x 1024 > Color Depth : 32 bits > Time of Visit Oct 27 2009 4:41:13 pm > Last Page View Oct 27 2009 4:41:13 pm > Visit Length 0 seconds > Page Views 1 > Referring URL > Visit Entry Page http://www.davidamos.blogspot. > Visit Exit Page http://www.davidamos.blogspot. > Out Click > Time Zone UTC-3:00 > Visitor's Time Oct 27 2009 5:41:13 pm > Visit Number 9,583 > > Just Dave > By Location Visit Detail > Visit 9,584 > Domain Name smartmeter.com ? (Commercial) > IP Address 142.67.28.# (Nova Scotia Power) > ISP Nova Scotia Power > Location Continent : North America > Country : Canada (Facts) > State/Region : Nova Scotia > City : Halifax > Lat/Long : 44.65, -63.6 (Map) > Language English (U.S.) en-us > Operating System Microsoft WinXP > Browser Internet Explorer 6.0 > Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; InfoPath.1; > .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 1.1.4322) > Javascript version 1.3 > Monitor Resolution : 1280 x 1024 > Color Depth : 32 bits > Time of Visit Oct 27 2009 4:56:06 pm > Last Page View Oct 27 2009 4:56:06 pm > Visit Length 0 seconds > Page Views 1 > Referring URL > Visit Entry Page http://davidamos.blogspot.com/ > Visit Exit Page http://davidamos.blogspot.com/ > Out Click > Time Zone UTC-3:00 > Visitor's Time Oct 27 2009 5:56:06 pm > Visit Number 9,584 > > Just Dave > By Location Visit Detail > Visit 9,586 > Domain Name aliant.net ? (Network) > IP Address 142.167.2.# (Stentor National Integrated Communications > Network) > ISP Stentor National Integrated Communications Network > Location Continent : North America > Country : Canada (Facts) > State/Region : New Brunswick > City : Saint John > Lat/Long : 45.2667, -66.0667 (Map) > Language English (U.S.) en-us > Operating System Microsoft WinNT > Browser Internet Explorer 7.0 > Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 6.0; Trident/4.0; SLCC1; > .NET CLR 2.0.50727; Media Center PC 5.0; Zune 3.0; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; > .NET CLR 3.0.30618) > Javascript version 1.3 > Monitor Resolution : 853 x 533 > Color Depth : 32 bits > Time of Visit Oct 27 2009 6:09:25 pm > Last Page View Oct 27 2009 6:41:08 pm > Visit Length 31 minutes 43 seconds > Page Views 2 > Referring URL http://www.google.co...ame%22& > Search Engine google.com > Search Words "nobody will say my name" > Visit Entry Page http://davidamos.blogspot.com/ > Visit Exit Page http://davidamos.blogspot.com/ > Out Click Site Meter > http://www.sitemeter...p?site= > Time Zone UTC-3:00 > Visitor's Time Oct 27 2009 7:09:25 pm > Visit Number 9,586 > > Just Dave > By Location Visit Detail > Visit 9,587 > Domain Name videotron.ca ? (Canada) > IP Address 70.81.206.# (Videotron Ltee) > ISP Videotron Ltee > Location Continent : North America > Country : Canada (Facts) > State/Region : Quebec > City : Montreal > Lat/Long : 45.5, -73.5833 (Map) > Language French fr > Operating System Microsoft WinXP > Browser Firefox > Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; fr; rv:1.9.0.14) > Gecko/2009082707 Firefox/3.0.1;MEGAUPLOAD 1.0 (.NET CLR 3.5.30729) > Javascript version 1.5 > Monitor Resolution : 1152 x 864 > Color Depth : 32 bits > Time of Visit Oct 27 2009 8:47:41 pm > Last Page View Oct 27 2009 8:47:41 pm > Visit Length 0 seconds > Page Views 1 > Referring URL http://mail.google.c...sp&ver= > Visit Entry Page http://davidamos.blo.../03/me- > Visit Exit Page http://davidamos.blo.../03/me- > Out Click > Time Zone UTC-4:00 > Visitor's Time Oct 27 2009 8:47:41 pm > Visit Number 9,587 > > Just Dave > By Location Visit Detail > Visit 9,595 > Domain Name cciw.ca ? (Canada) > IP Address 198.73.130.# (JD IRVING LIMITED) > ISP JD IRVING LIMITED > Location Continent : North America > Country : Canada (Facts) > State/Region : New Brunswick > City : Saint John > Lat/Long : 45.2667, -66.0667 (Map) > Language English (U.S.) en-us > Operating System Microsoft WinXP > Browser Internet Explorer 6.0 > Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; InfoPath.1) > Javascript version 1.3 > Monitor Resolution : 1280 x 1024 > Color Depth : 32 bits > Time of Visit Oct 28 2009 12:43:14 pm > Last Page View Oct 28 2009 12:43:14 pm > Visit Length 0 seconds > Page Views 1 > Referring URL http://www.google.ca...earch& > Search Engine google.ca > Search Words tripp "@sussex.ca" > Visit Entry Page http://davidamos.blo...per- > Visit Exit Page http://davidamos.blo...per- > Out Click > Time Zone UTC-3:00 > Visitor's Time Oct 28 2009 1:43:14 pm > Visit Number 9,595 > > Just Dave > By Location Visit Detail > Visit 9,597 > Domain Name (Unknown) > IP Address 94.217.10.# (Unknown Organization) > ISP Unknown ISP > Location Continent : Unknown > Country : Unknown > Lat/Long : unknown > Language German de > Operating System Microsoft WinXP > Browser Internet Explorer 8.0 > Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Windows NT 5.1; Trident/4.0; > InfoPath.2; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.0.4506.2152; .NET CLR > 3.5.30729) > Javascript version 1.3 > Monitor Resolution : 1920 x 1200 > Color Depth : 32 bits > Time of Visit Oct 28 2009 3:32:19 pm > Last Page View Oct 28 2009 3:32:49 pm > Visit Length 30 seconds > Page Views 2 > Referring URL http://www.google.de...2 &meta=&aq=null&oq= > Search Engine google.de > Search Words "nobody will say my name" > Visit Entry Page http://davidamos.blogspot.com/ > Visit Exit Page http://davidamos.blogspot.com/ > Out Click View my complete profile > http://www.blogger.c... > Time Zone UTC+1:00 > Visitor's Time Oct 28 2009 8:32:19 pm > Visit Number 9,597 > > Just Dave > By Location Visit Detail > Visit 9,598 > Domain Name vianet.ca ? (Canada) > IP Address 209.91.177.# (Vianet Internet Solutions) > ISP Vianet Internet Solutions > Location Continent : North America > Country : Canada (Facts) > State/Region : Ontario > City : Callander > Lat/Long : 46.2167, -79.3667 (Map) > Language English (U.S.) en-us > Operating System Microsoft WinXP > Browser Firefox > Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.9.1.4) > Gecko/20091016 Firefox/3.5.4 (.NET CLR 3.5.30729) > Javascript version 1.5 > Monitor Resolution : 1280 x 1024 > Color Depth : 32 bits > Time of Visit Oct 28 2009 3:32:43 pm > Last Page View Oct 28 2009 3:32:43 pm > Visit Length 0 seconds > Page Views 1 > Referring URL http://www.google.ca...earch& > Search Engine google.ca > Search Words "nobody will say my name" > Visit Entry Page http://davidamos.blogspot.com/ > Visit Exit Page http://davidamos.blogspot.com/ > Out Click > Time Zone UTC-4:00 > Visitor's Time Oct 28 2009 3:32:43 pm > Visit Number 9,598 > > Just Dave > By Location Visit Detail > Visit 9,599 > Domain Name comcast.net ? (Network) > IP Address 71.232.196.# (Comcast Cable) > ISP Comcast Cable > Location Continent : North America > Country : United States (Facts) > State : Massachusetts > City : Lowell > Lat/Long : 42.6416, -71.3225 (Map) > Language English (U.S.) en-us > Operating System Microsoft WinNT > Browser Internet Explorer 7.0 > Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 6.0; GTB6; SLCC1; .NET > CLR 2.0.50727; Media Center PC 5.1; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; .NET CLR > 3.0.30618) > Javascript version 1.3 > Monitor Resolution : 1366 x 768 > Color Depth : 32 bits > Time of Visit Oct 28 2009 3:58:04 pm > Last Page View Oct 28 2009 3:58:04 pm > Visit Length 0 seconds > Page Views 1 > Referring URL http://search.comcas... Jr.%5C%22&offset=20 > Search Engine search.comcast.net > Search Words \"robert l. quinan, jr.\" > Visit Entry Page http://davidamos.blogspot.com/ > Visit Exit Page http://davidamos.blogspot.com/ > Out Click > Time Zone UTC-4:00 > Visitor's Time Oct 28 2009 3:58:04 pm > Visit Number 9,599 ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Judith Day <jmld@nb.sympatico.ca> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 21:01:59 -0400 Subject: Re: I was completely open and honest with you Now I won't trust you anymore than I do any of your friends in Fredericton To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> David, Thanks for your email and telephone conversation. All I am doing is trying to respect each other's privacy and if I offended you doing that I apologize. We are definitely all working outside our comfort zones, trying to get Byron released and have to protect ourselves, you must know that. Again, Please keep in touch and I would rather have you on my side than become someone who you feel you can't trust. J ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Amos" <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> To: <jmld@nb.sympatico.ca> Cc: "Paulette. Delaney-Smith" <Paulette.Delaney-Smith@rcmp- < danny.copp@fredericton.ca>; "Ross, Ken (DH/MS)" <ken.ross@gnb.ca>; "MichaelB. Murphy" <MichaelB.Murphy@gnb.ca> Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 8:33 PM Subject: I was completely open and honest with you Now I won't trust you anymore than I do any of your friends in Fredericton Judith Day, Director Atlantiac Provinces 208 Dunn's Crossing Road Fredericton (N.-B.) E3B 2A6 Telephone : (506) 454-5444. E-mail : jmld@nb.sympatico.ca ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 20:24:42 -0400 Subject: I just managed to talk to Judith Day What kind of Bullshit are you people telling her??? To: For the record this is the second to last email I received from Byron Prior and following a bit of biblepounding you will see his last. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Byron Prior <alltrue@nl.rogers.com> Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2009 22:37:14 -0400 Subject: Fw: Obama documentary, Byron Prior and your Documents in court. To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> David, I've stayed away from any conversations with you because things get to complicated. I'm trying to survive and on Friday in court I entered your information and the letters you wrote and the paper I had signed by Danny Williams Office, Lt. Govonor Ed Roberts office and from the law society of NL.. In court the Legal Aid Lawyer, Michele Coady, The Crown Lawyer Elaine Reid and the Provincial court Judge David Orr accepted this information with a list of others and letters of people in power who have been informed about T. Alex Hickman and my family. Byron Prior http:// MORE For This WEEKS Battlecry Current Events: Byron Prior updates and callers WARRIORS ... We'll be talking to: Alex Hunter - CCWW Coalition of the Walking Wounded: utbube links on the subject - http://www.youtube.com/user/ http://insstate.com/videos/ Judith Day-"First of all, I am a Nurse Educator and Patient Advocate: My name is Judith DayI spent many years in UNB lawschool library studying how to practice law and represented myself in The Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador as no lawyer in Newfoundland would represent me to receive justice for being illegally detained in a mental institution and damaged with psychotropic drugs. Since I became involved in this tragic issue around the end of July, when I visited Nl., I had no idea that I would be enlightened with all those facts. I guess what goes around comes around after all. I am the Judith Day mentioned in Karol's emails. Last week, I have personally gone to UNB lawschool and spoke to a couple of young student lawyers from Newfoundland to help spread the word throughout the school about this injustice done to Byron. I also wrote a lawyer here in UNB for advice as I am hoping that someone steps forward to help him legally.. Bryon's health is my main concern right now as I have reasons to believe after speaking to him and Audrey that his blood prsure is not under control and his rapid weight loss and profuse sweating could be a sign that he may be having bouts of hypotension. (The treating physician has doubled his dose of Altace)I don't believe he is being given Lasix.. I hope not, as that was what killed my mother when I was institutionilized. (Medical records and evidence were presented during my court case )According to Byron, His blood pressure has not been checked in two weeks, since this extension of his confinement.....He needs blood work done now. If his electrolytes are not checked he may go into metabolic acidosis, relapse in a coma or experience psychotic episodes, or even die and that will be very tragic.If he experiences psychosis due to a medical problem, it will be an excuse for the psychiatrists, who are treating him to begin their psychotropic drug regime, which may really damage him as he is not physically well, with only one properly functioning kidney.I was told the Waterford hospital has a "federal order" to hold him for another ninety days and he is not alowed to complete an appeal for release form. Where did this order come from?After reading Karol's information that has me floored, this could be another blackmail prosceution from Ottawa. Who knows.There is no case manager on his floor, she is off on holidays, I spoke to the nurse in charge about Byron's medical condition on Saturday, giving my full name...I am going to get this information out on the radio stations today in St. John's, without mentioning Byron's name so I will not be cut off.I have contacts with Eastern Health and it will be passed on there. If Byron dies, there will be a massive lawsuit for Eastern Health again, with the bad publicity that will go along with it, like the incident when Eastern Health tried to cover up for incompetent pathologists in the botched hormone receptor results.The cover up cost many innocent people time. Time that could have saved their lives. Time that will have the potential to kill Byron as well if we don't get him released in safety. Speaking from experience as it has happened to me, but I survived..Judith Day writes from Fredericton The seventeen million dollars the government just settled will be a joke, when this story ends with the death of Byron Prior and a public inquiry begins. Attention Everyone else: inspired to call in regarding this very current event, THE PERDECUTION OF BYRON PRIOR. blogtalkradio.com/Battlecry 347 945-5602 Unity of the Faith at work by just a few of the many warriors who got boots working and exposing the Truth and the evidence of Byron Prior's family abuse ... His story of persecution short version: About seven years ago, a man named Byron Prior of Grand Bank, Newfoundland contacted me. He related to me the horrid abuses that he and his siblings suffered at the hands of their now-deceased mother and her countless paramours. Among those paramours were members of the local religious, business, political and judicial community. Byron sent me a huge stack of supporting information that included police, court and RCMP records. Subsequently, I wrote a novel based on their story called Playing With The Devil.During the 50’s and early 60’s, these children suffered mental, emotional, physical and sexual abuse – some from as early as two years old. As the eldest child, Byron tried to get help at the time but no one would listen. Grand Bank was a small, tight-knit community where word traveled fast and most people assumed the children were just difficult kids and troublemakers.Over the years, Byron has never forgotten what he suffered himself and saw done to his siblings, and he has never stopped fighting for justice for all of them. However, some of the perpetrators are high profile individuals – one being a former Supreme Court judge, who is now a respected political figure who seems to be beyond the touch of the law. This particular person raped one of his sisters when she was only 12 years old, resulting in the birth of a child. This man, I am told, has been helping the sister and her daughter financially over the years but will not admit to what he did. And although Byron has asked for a simple DNA test to prove what he says is true, no court has thus far allowed it.In the past, he has traveled to Ontario several times to spend months at a time protesting (with the proper legal papers) on Parliament Hill. He hoped that someone – anyone would listen and take him seriously. He has also been in and out of courtrooms. As a result over the years, he has suffered even more as a victim of the system. Due to the nature of Grand Bank, Byron cannot even get a job, let alone a good lawyer to represent him. He has had a number of serious physical problems and life for himself and his family has been difficult, to say the least - but he has never given up. About three months ago, Byron was summonsed to court on a charge of defamatory libel with regard to the man he says raped his sister. Again, Byron asked for a DNA test. Instead, the judge ordered him to spend 90 days in the Waterford Psychiatric Hospital. Byron is of sound mind – perhaps more so than most people.Byron has no psychiatric problems, as evidenced by a number of previous tests administered by prominent psychiatrist in Ontario. Thus he has refused to take psychotic medicines that they want to give him. They believe that until he takes them, he will continue to be “delusional” about what happened to him and his siblings. A few days ago, Byron received notice that he is to remain in the Waterford Psychiatric Hospital for yet another 90 days! His wife, Audrey, is extremely upset as are the hundreds of folks who know Byron and wish they could help him in some way. Over the past few weeks, support for him has grown immensely through forums, web sites, letter-writing campaigns and more. We all feel that his own personal rights have been stripped from him in order to keep him quiet. And we desperately need a brave and tough lawyer who is not afraid to take on the powers that be – particularly the jaded legal and judicial system that has for nearly 50 years, refused to listen to the truth. Would you please be kind enough to visit the following web sites? Author/Editor Martha Jette http://www.byronprior.com http://thebyronpriorstory. http://issuesthatmattermost. http://www.angelfire.com/ http://www. http://www.equalparenting-bc. http://www.cbc.ca/news/pdf/nl- http:// http://www. Battlecry focus on topics including the Legion of dark spirits working and exposing them setting the captives free... DO YOU HAVE A DEAF AND DUMB SPIRIT MANIFESTING AS SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS? Inability to hear or see the Truth clearly? Plagued by a legion of spirits all working together to produce a mingled perverse spirit working error in your(our) understanding? Or do you think you're not able to stumble in this great age of deception due to your spiritual pride??Thinking you've paid the price and couldn't possibly be deceived. Welllll guess what church elect lady, we can be decieved and we can stumble and we do make bigger targets than the luke warm pew sitters. Legion and the dark spirits with him working lawlessness are at war with the Spirit of Prophecy and those of us who have the testimony of the WORD; made flesh...and it is the sword of the spirit of Truth that divides the Truth from spirits of error especially those "familiar" spirits that sound like the spirit of Truth... Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come; to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. MT 10 A book of remembrance. I AM; The Way, Life & THE TRUTH...Jo 14:6 the sword of the Spirit, which is the WORD of YHWH Ep 6 I AM the LIGHT of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness.....but have the LIGHT of LIFE. there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. Mt 10:26 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. Luke 8:17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.8:18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. Pr 15 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.15:32 He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. Pr 10 He is in the way of life that heeds instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth. From: Byron Prior <alltrue@nl.rogers.com> Date: Sat, 28 Mar 2009 22:02:29 -0400 Subject: Fw: RE Exposing Newfoundland Corruption to the World. Anybody but me wonder why Byron Prior left me out of his news but uses the email addresses I have used? To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Amos" <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com> To: "William J. Wagener" <producer@onsecondthought.tv>; < victoryusa@jail4judges.org>; "edwach" <edwach@shaw.ca>; < jmurphysd@hotmail.com>; <abourc@rushmore.com>; <dhanna@midconetwork.com>; < kim.nelson@usdoj.gov>; <robert.mandel@usdoj.gov>; <info@grahamdefense.org>; "webo" <webo@xplornet.com>; "dean Ray" <deanr0032@hotmail.com>; < oldmaison@yahoo.com>; "Dan Fitzgerald" <danf@danf.net>; "Edith. Cody-Rice" < Edith.Cody-Rice@cbc.ca>; "rfowlo" <rfowlo@comcast.net>; "Richard Harris" < injusticecoalition@hotmail. < criminal.division@usdoj.gov>; "George" <George.Mason@statenationals. Cc: "Byron Prior" <alltrue@nl.rogers.com> Sent: Saturday, March 28, 2009 9:55 PM Subject: RE Exposing Newfoundland Corruption to the World. Anybody but me wonder why Byron Prior left me out of his news but uses the email addresses I have used? > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Byron Prior" <alltrue@nl.rogers.com> > To: "William J. Wagener" <producer@onsecondthought.tv>; > < victoryusa@jail4judges.org>; "edwach" <edwach@shaw.ca>; > < jmurphysd@hotmail.com>; <abourc@rushmore.com>; <dhanna@midconetwork.com>; > < kim.nelson@usdoj.gov>; <robert.mandel@usdoj.gov>; > < info@grahamdefense.org> > Cc: "webo" <webo@xplornet.com>; "dean Ray" <deanr0032@hotmail.com>; > < oldmaison@yahoo.com>; "Dan Fitzgerald" <danf@danf.net>; "Edith. > Cody-Rice" > < Edith.Cody-Rice@cbc.ca>; "rfowlo" <rfowlo@comcast.net>; "Richard Harris" > < injusticecoalition@hotmail. > < criminal.division@usdoj.gov>; "George" <George.Mason@statenationals. > Sent: Saturday, March 28, 2009 7:56 PM > Subject: Re: Exposing Newfoundland Corruption to the World. > > >> >> My family was destroyed as young children by Incest, Child Rape and Abuse > of >> every kind in a small town of 2500 people. Supreme Court Judges, > Politicians >> and RCMP are involved and in a position of " Conflict of Interest" and >> pay > a >> hooker, their mother, to keep quiet, in this case, in Newfoundland. Their >> names and why are evident on Harrietts Customer List at this Website; >> http://maxpages.com/ >> Before our Premier Danny Williams entered Politics, he and his Law Firm >> represented me, when he was elected his Firm returned my File and wished > me >> Good Luck finding another Lawyer. No-one in Newfoundland will represent >> me >> since and the last Lawyer I asked told me, If any lawyer in Newfoundland >> represents you, it will be the last job they do in this province. >> Newfoundland. >> On Febuary 02/09 at 10 AM in Provincial Court with Judge David Orr the >> victim, me, will be further persecuted for telling the truth and this > system >> will protect the criminal, Alex Hickman. My Government appointed lawyer > told >> me she won't even ask for a DNA test to prove the TRUTH. Once again NL. >> courts will knowingly convict the wrong person. The Judge, David Orr >> knows >> he can't convict me legally of any wrong doing, I'm telling the truth, so > he >> has ordered a Psychiatric evaluation on April 03/09 and try to have a > Doctor >> confine me in a Mental Hospital in St. John's to prevent me from >> returning >> to Ottawa with my information Protest and the truth about the >> Newfoundland >> Legal System.. >> | |
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Nancy G Rubin <nrubin@stewartmckelvey.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2012 19:15:33 -0300
Subject: Out of Office AutoReply: I just called about the letter, the
CD and the many documents sent to Wally Opal seven years ago
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
I am out of the office on vacation, returning Tuesday, July 31 so a
response to your email may be delayed. If your matter is urgent
please contact my (replacement) assistant, Daniel at 420-3200 ext. 237
or lmclements@stewartmckelvey.com and your enquiry will be redirected.
Nancy Rubin
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de vos dossiers.
---------- Original message ----------
From: "Williams, Richard (OAG/CPG)" <Richard.Williams@gnb.ca>
Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2022 16:09:48 +0000
Subject: RE: Matter 529 - NB Power Rate Design / Instance no 559 -
Énergie NB - Établissement des tarifs
To: "Mitchell, Kathleen" <Kathleen.Mitchell@nbeub.ca>,
"JohnFurey@fureylegal.com" <JohnFurey@fureylegal.com>,
"jpetrie@nbpower.com" <jpetrie@nbpower.com>, "NBPRegulatory
(NBPRegulatory@nbpower.com)" <NBPRegulatory@nbpower.com>,
"louis-philippe.gauthier@cfib.
"David.Raymond.Amos333@gmail.
"Sollows, David (DNRED/MRNDE)" <David.Sollows@gnb.ca>,
"Gilles.volpe@
< Gilles.volpe@
"dave.lavigne@
< dave.lavigne@
< Len.Hoyt@mcinnescooper.com>, "jeffery.callaghan@
< jeffery.callaghan@
< rzarumba@ceadvisors.com>, "gerald@kissnb.com" <gerald@kissnb.com>,
"hanrahan.dion@jdirving.com" <hanrahan.dion@jdirving.com>,
"SWaycott@nbpower.com" <SWaycott@nbpower.com>, "bcrawford@nbpower.com"
< bcrawford@nbpower.com>, "George.Porter@nbpower.com"
< George.Porter@nbpower.com>, NBEUB/CESPNB <General@nbeub.ca>, "Dickie,
Michael" <Michael.Dickie@nbeub.ca>, "Young, Dave"
< Dave.Young@nbeub.ca>, "Ahmad.Faruqui@brattle.com"
< Ahmad.Faruqui@brattle.com>, "Cecile.Bourbonnais@brattle.
< Cecile.Bourbonnais@brattle.
"rrichard@nb.aibn.com" <rrichard@nb.aibn.com>,
"sussexsharingclub@nb.aibn.com
"margot.cragg@umnb.ca" <margot.cragg@umnb.ca>,
"jeff.garrett@sjenergy.com" <jeff.garrett@sjenergy.com>,
"dan.dionne@perth-andover.com" <dan.dionne@perth-andover.com>
"pierreroy@edmundston.ca" <pierreroy@edmundston.ca>,
"ray.robinson@sjenergy.com" <ray.robinson@sjenergy.com>,
"sstoll@airdberlis.com" <sstoll@airdberlis.com>,
"pzarnett@bdrenergy.com" <pzarnett@bdrenergy.com>,
"leducjr@nb.sympatico.ca" <leducjr@nb.sympatico.ca>
Cc: NBEUB/CESPNB <general@nbeub.ca>
Good afternoon,
The Public Intervener will be participating in this matter.
Richard A. Williams, Q.C.
Public Intervener for the Energy Sector / l'intervenant public dans le
secteur énergétique
Office of the Public Intervener / Bureau d'intervenant public
(506) 440-8915
richard.williams@gnb.ca
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Nancy G Rubin <nrubin@stewartmckelvey.com>
Date: Thu, 30 May 2013 05:00:24 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: A little Deja Vu for Nova Scotia Power and
Emera's Irving buddies in New Brunswick
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Out of Office Notice
I'm in hearings from May 28th through Friday June 7th. I will have
periodic access to email, although a response may be delayed. For
urgent matters, you may contact my assistant, Leona Clements 420-3200
ext. 237 or lmclements@stewartmckelvey.com and she will redirect your
enquiry.
For pre-publication advice, my partner Karen Bennett-Clayton at
420-3377 or kbennettclayton@
assist.
Nancy Rubin
******************************
This e-mail message (including attachments, if any) is
confidential and may be privileged. Any unauthorized
distribution or disclosure is prohibited. Disclosure
to anyone other than the intended recipient does not
constitute waiver of privilege. If you have received
this e-mail in error, please notify us and delete it and
any attachments from your computer system and records.
------------------------------
Ce courriel (y compris les pièces jointes) est
confidentiel et peut être privilégié. La distribution
ou la divulgation non autorisée de ce courriel est
interdite. Sa divulgation à toute personne autre que son
destinataire ne constitue pas une renonciation de
privilège. Si vous avez reçu ce courriel par erreur,
veuillez nous aviser et éliminer ce courriel, ainsi que
les pièces jointes, de votre système informatique et de
vos dossiers.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Britt Dysart <bdysart@stewartmckelvey.com>
Date: Thu, 30 May 2013 05:00:24 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: A little Deja Vu for Nova Scotia Power and
Emera's Irving buddies in New Brunswick
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
I am out of the office in meetings much of today, and will not have
regular access to my email or voicemail during this time. Please
contact my assistant,Sonja at 506-443-9942 and she will direct your
inquiry. Otherwise, I will contact you upon my return .
******************************
This e-mail message (including attachments, if any) is
confidential and may be privileged. Any unauthorized
distribution or disclosure is prohibited. Disclosure
to anyone other than the intended recipient does not
constitute waiver of privilege. If you have received
this e-mail in error, please notify us and delete it and
any attachments from your computer system and records.
------------------------------
Ce courriel (y compris les pièces jointes) est
confidentiel et peut être privilégié. La distribution
ou la divulgation non autorisée de ce courriel est
interdite. Sa divulgation à toute personne autre que son
destinataire ne constitue pas une renonciation de
privilège. Si vous avez reçu ce courriel par erreur,
veuillez nous aviser et éliminer ce courriel, ainsi que
les pièces jointes, de votre système informatique et de
vos dossiers.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "IRVING, SASHA" <Sasha.Irving@emera.com>
Date: Thu, 30 May 2013 05:00:23 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: A little Deja Vu for Nova Scotia Power and
Emera's Irving buddies in New Brunswick
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
I will be away from the office attending the UARB hearing on the
Maritme Link application from May 28 until the 2nd week of June. I
will be checking email throughout the day and will get back to you as
soon as possible.
For Emera media inquiries other than those related to the Maritime
Link please contact Dina Bartolacci Seely at Dina.Bartolacci@emera.com
If require immediate assistance, please contact Jennifer Neild Cameron
at 428-6831
Thanks,
Sasha Irving
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "McLaughlin, Heather" <mclaughlin.heather@
Date: Thu, 30 May 2013 05:00:28 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: A little Deja Vu for Nova Scotia Power and
Emera's Irving buddies in New Brunswick
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Assignment editor Heather McLaughlin is out of the office until
Monday afternoon June 3. Please send your emails to
news@dailygleaner.com. For personal assistance, contact Gisele
McKnight at 458-6434.
---------- Original message ----------
From: Shimon Fogel <sfogel@cija.ca>
Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 07:20:39 -0500
Subject: Re: CBC says A Neo-Nazi estate dispute will be overseen by
two Jewish groups and a very corrupt Attorney General???
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
I have no idea who you are or why you have decided to add me to your
list of individuals receiving you messages. Please remove my name from
your list-serve.
Best regards,
SKF
Shimon Koffler Fogel
Centre for Israel & Jewish Affairs
613.234.8271 ext.240
The Centre has a new look online. Visit cija.ca and let us know what you think!
---------- Original message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2013 21:21:07 -0300
Subject: CBC says A Neo-Nazi estate dispute will be overseen by two
Jewish groups and a very corrupt Attorney General???
To: tlsoontiens@stewartmckelvey.
< bdysart@stewartmckelvey.com>, bdysart <bdysart@smss.com>, nrubin
< nrubin@stewartmckelvey.com>
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>
< marie-claude.blais@gnb.ca>, "richard.cohen"
< richard.cohen@splcenter.org>, "Richard.Williams"
< Richard.Williams@gnb.ca>
http://www.scc-csc.gc.ca/case-
From: Charles LeBlond <cleblond@stewartmckelvey.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 00:10:39 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: CBC says A Neo-Nazi estate dispute will be
overseen by two Jewish groups and a very corrupt Attorney General???
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
I will be out of the office until Monday, August 26, 2013. I will
have limted acess to emails. For immediate assistance, please contact
my assistant Teri at tlsoontiens@stewartmckelvey.
Je serai absent du bureau jusqu'au 26 août, 2013. J'aurai un accès
limité à mes courriels. Pour une aide immédiate, communiquez avec mon
assistante Teri à tlsoontiens@stewartmckelvey.
.
******************************
This e-mail message (including attachments, if any) is
confidential and may be privileged. Any unauthorized
distribution or disclosure is prohibited. Disclosure
to anyone other than the intended recipient does not
constitute waiver of privilege. If you have received
this e-mail in error, please notify us and delete it and
any attachments from your computer system and records.
------------------------------
Ce courriel (y compris les pièces jointes) est
confidentiel et peut être privilégié. La distribution
ou la divulgation non autorisée de ce courriel est
interdite. Sa divulgation à toute personne autre que son
destinataire ne constitue pas une renonciation de
privilège. Si vous avez reçu ce courriel par erreur,
veuillez nous aviser et éliminer ce courriel, ainsi que
les pièces jointes, de votre système informatique et de
vos dossiers.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Mail Delivery Subsystem <mailer-daemon@googlemail.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 00:10:30 +0000
Subject: Delivery Status Notification (Failure)
To: motomaniac333@gmail.com
Delivery to the following recipient failed permanently:
johnhugheslawoffice@nb.aibn.
Technical details of permanent failure:
Google tried to deliver your message, but it was rejected by the
server for the recipient domain nb.aibn.com by mx.bellaliant.com.
[4.59.182.109].
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2013 21:10:29 -0300
Subject: CBC says A Neo-Nazi estate dispute will be overseen by two
Jewish groups and a very corrupt Attorney General???
To: johnhugheslawoffice@nb.aibn.
< gleblanc@coxandpalmer.com>, cleblond@smss.com,
MLaHood@ccrjustice.org, Marissam <Marissam@yahoo-inc.com>,
"ezra.levant@sunmedia.ca" <ezra.levant@sunmedia.ca>, radical
< radical@radicalpress.com>, "t.wilson" <t.wilson@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>,
sdllaw@gmail.com, ahussain@ccrjustice.org, lgazzola@ccrjustice.org,
pastorscott <pastorscott@redemptiongate.
< mratner@ccrjustice.org>, "Fred.Wyshak" <Fred.Wyshak@usdoj.gov>,
"justin.trudeau.a1" <justin.trudeau.a1@parl.gc.ca>
< marco.morency@petitcodiac.org
"marc.garneau.a1" <marc.garneau.a1@parl.gc.ca>, "gregory.craig"
< gregory.craig@skadden.com>, "gregor.robertson"
< gregor.robertson@vancouver.ca
< George.Soros@
< sbell@nationalpost.com>, Mark.Potok@splcenter.org, sfogel@cija.ca,
iwhitehall@plaideurs.ca, pgladman@bnaibrith.ca,
ABromberg@bnaibrith.ca, rmarceau@cija.ca, pam.maceachern@nelligan.ca,
rdholmes@mhklaw.com, Nancy.brooks@blakes.com, paul.schabas@blakes.com,
echerniak@lerners.ca, richard.cohen@splcenter.org,
henry.brown@gowlings.com, staleyr@bennettjones.ca, dodged
< dodged@bennettjones.com>, phoward <phoward@stikeman.com>,
paul@paulfromm.com, Morris.Dees@splcenter.org, jsaikaley@plaideurs.ca,
"michael.coren" <michael.coren@sunmedia.ca>
Cc: "Robert. Jones" <Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>, David Amos
< david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>
< bernadine.chapman@rcmp-grc.
< john.warr@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "roger.l.brown"
< roger.l.brown@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>
< Ian.Shardlow@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>, andre
< andre@jafaust.com>, "danny.copp" <danny.copp@fredericton.ca>,
"Leanne.Fitch" <Leanne.Fitch@fredericton.ca>
Well who gets to oversee the malicious actions of the Attorney General?
Methinks it must be mean old me. Its a dirty job but soembody has to
do it. What say you? Please check the pdf file hereto attached and
argue me in writing if ya dare.
The Chaisson lawyer is a partner in McInnes and Cooper thus he and his
partners have had Hard Copy of some of my concerns about illegal
probate actions practiced against the courts by lawyers for many
years. According to the CROWN Corp known as the CBC(They would not
conceal awful truths would they?) Chaisson dismissed Hughes'
suggestion that the Southern Poverty Law Centre is pulling strings as
"a conspiracy theory." "Where is the evidence? You can't just come to
court and throw wild
accusations like that without any shred of evidence," said Chiasson.
Well trust that I have LOTS of evidence of conspiriacies practiced by
the Southern Poverty Law Center and legions of others that Chaisson
and his fellow lawyers should have disclosed to John Hughes by now.
Perhaps John Hughes should ignore his golfing buddies and finally call
me back. He and I should bury the hachet and he should simply quit
bullshitting me and ask me nicely for an affidavit and invite me to
court on September 10th. The amount being argued within the McCorkell
estate is chump change to me. However the Free Speech issues and the
right to privacy without state intervening on behalf of unethicial
"civil rights" groups certainly is not.
The awful truth is the Attorney General is an elected public official.
The Blais lawyer from Moncton was appointed by her mindless party
leader David Alward to uphold the law not to break it for the benefit
of greedy Yankees. The self appointed Jewish Groups who claim to be
the gusrfians of our civil rights are no such thing that task belongs
to our Justice officials. The Jewish groups should have had no
standing in the mcCorkell matter whatsoever.Hell even Canadian Jewish
lawyers such as Ezzy Baby Levant and Karen Selick agreed with me very
publicly. To watch a corrupt Attorney General and her mindless minions
side with a couple of sneaky Yankee lawyers was truly comical indeed
but to see the Court of the Queen's Bench allow the nonsense of it all
was way beyond ridiculous.
How will the ordinary folk of New Brunswick have any idea what joke
the province may become over this frivolous action if the CBC and
their media buddies do not duly inform them of all sides of the matter
instead of merely slandering people. How many taxpayers dollars have
been spent already on secretive ex RCMP private investigators and the
less that useles litigation team? It had not escaped my notice that
many bloggers etc are not so easily fooled by the Corporate Media. Try
Googling mccorkell new brunswick sometime to see how much of a joke
Maritimers have already become no thanks to Attorney General Blais and
her minions.
Moncton's former city solicitor John Hughes should not have ignored me
years ago so I am not surprised that he ignored once again recently.
The amount of money he wants to argue before the Supreme Court is the
smallest that I have ever seen.
http://www.scc-csc.gc.ca/case-
Trust that the pdf file hereto attached proves that I could make
Hughes a very wealthy man if he were even remotely ethical and his
friend Attorney General Blais and her boss Stephen Harper know it.
Its just like I hinted in an email to the Yankee lawyer/preacher
Scotty Baby Lively who is also battling the same SPLC dudes that I
published early this morning before I heard the news today. In my
humble opinion Mr Streed should use his rights in the US of A and sue
everyone of the nastyCanadian bastards ASAP in a US District Court
pursuant to US Title 42 Section 1982. If they wish to attack him he
should at least get to pick the turf.
http://thedavidamosrant.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/
Hughes contends the Southern Poverty Law Centre is behind the whole
matter and recruited her.
This is "a skillful operation by people who have done this many times,
not only to bankrupt their opponents, but to enrich their own
organization," he said.
But her lawyer dismissed Hughes's suggestion that the Southern Poverty
Law Centre is pulling strings as "a conspiracy theory."
"Where is the evidence? You can't just come to court and throw wild
accusations like that without any shred of evidence," said Chiasson.
How his client pays her legal bills is a matter of client-attorney
privilege, he said.
Judge ruled against cross-examination
Justice Peter Glennie ruled against allowing the cross-examination.
"Cross examination under these circumstances should not become an
application for discovery," he said.
The judge also ruled the temporary injunction should continue until
the hearing on Sept. 10.
"I can't see any good coming out of this," said Chiasson, referring to
the estate going to the National Alliance. "Only evil would come from
that."
Just in case folks think I don't understand the scene laid out above
pehaps they should checkout a letter an evil Special Agent of the US
Treasury Dept wrote me long ago.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_
Or find some fun in reading illegal ex parte documents filed by the US
Attorney in Beantown in order to try to protect his beloved Cardinal
Bernard Francis Law's evil arse.
They begin around page 100 of this file.
http://www.checktheevidence.
(Wanna see more? Trust that I have lots more All ya gotta do is surf the web)
How about how I used US Title 42 to defend my dumb arse agains the
Janet Reno's pal the VERY VERY EVIL Yankee lesbian Judge Sidney Hanlon
in 2004? Everything Hanlon did against me was ex parte and VERY
ILLEGAL.
http://www.law.cornell.edu/
42 USC § 1982 - Property rights of citizens
US CodeNotesUpdatesAuthorities (CFR)Current through Pub. L. 113-21.
(See Public Laws for the current Congress.)
All citizens of the United States shall have the same right, in every
State and Territory, as is enjoyed by white citizens thereof to
inherit, purchase, lease, sell, hold, and convey real and personal
property.
Source
(R.S. § 1978.)
Codification
R.S. § 1978 derived from act Apr. 9, 1866, ch. 31, § 1,14 Stat. 27.
Section was formerly classified to section 42 of Title 8, Aliens and
Nationality.
http://thedavidamosrant.
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
THE TRIAL COURT
DORCHESTER, SS.
DISTRICT COURT DEPARTMENT
THE COMMONWEALTH OF )
MASSACHUSETTS )
CRIMINAL ACTION
)
DOCKET NO. 0407CR004623
v . )
)
DAVID R. AMOS )
)
AFFIDAVIT OF DAVID R. AMOS
Now comes, David R. Amos, a Citizen of Canada and a Legal
Permanent Resident of the USA and asserts his Constitutional Rights
pursuant to Title 42 Sections 1981, 1982, 1985 and 1986 of the Federal
Code and freely swears under the penalties of perjury that the
following statements are true and to the best of his knowledge.
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/
United States Attorney General Janet Reno came to Boston today to
announce the opening of the new Dorchester District Court Domestic
Violence Session, under a Department of Justice grant given to Boston.
The Judicial Oversight Demonstration Initiative (JOD) grant is for $7
million over five years, contingent on continued Congressional
appropriations.
Judge Sydney Hanlon, presiding judge of the Dorchester District Court,
will run the new domestic violence session. The domestic violence
court session will conduct arraignments, bail hearings, probation
surrenders, and probation reviews. It will also hear all ex parte and
contested civil restraining orders.
http://www.mass.gov/courts/
http://wikiworldbook.com/
BTW lots of people hate lots of other people it is not illegal in most
places that are blessed with common sense. However with the right to
Free Speech come responsibility. Freedom has its limits in a
purportedly "Just" Society. Free Speech does not give one the licence
to injure others with your mouth or pen.
R. v. Lucas, [1998] 1 S.C.R. 439 is the leading Supreme Court of
Canada decision on defamatory libel. The Court held that the freedom
of expression under Section 2(b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and
Freedoms is subject to the "reasonable limits prescribed by law" set
out in Section 1 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Hell some offences come with quite a price tag in the British
Commonwealth. For instance libel and hate speech are illegal under the
Canadian Criminal Code Check Sections 300 and 319 if you don't believe
mean old me.
http://laws-lois.justice.gc.
http://laws-lois.justice.gc.
For instance the Jewish lawyer Ezzy Baby Levant can have fun preaching
hate on Corporate TV against fools as Arty Topham and legions of
mindless anarchists but just like all of you Ezzy dares not to even
breathe my name over the public airwaves if he wishes to keep his job.
This is a comical video.
http://
http://www.radicalpress.com/?
The wacko Arthur Topham that Ezzy Bay speaks of quite simply does not
know when to shut up. Even while he is being prosecuted under Section
319 and after his strange lawyer Dougy Christie has shit the bed Arty
baby continues to hang himself with his own words. Look what the evil
bastard publishes about a Jewish lady lawyer just because he did not
like her opinion of Southern Poverty Law Center's nasty actions
against the McCorkell estate.
http://www.radicalpress.com/?
However if you think Arty Topham and his Hitler worshipers are bad,
trust that you ain't seen nothing yet. Check out Ezzy Levant's # 1 fan
and fellow zionist. Ask yourself howcome Mr Baconfat can get away with
publishing such evil things about the Canadian Human Rights
Commissioners and many others for years?
http://baconfat53.blogspot.ca/
http://baconfat53.blogspot.ca/
http://baconfat53.blogspot.ca/
http://baconfat53.blogspot.ca/
http://baconfat53.blogspot.ca/
Better yet howcome Arty Topham is too afraid to defend himself from Mr Baconfat?
Howcome Byron Prior is not allowed to?
http://baconfat53.blogspot.ca/
Friday, October 9, 2009
ByronPrior...euthenasia, lobotomy?
As I research the Byron Prior story it seems like a tragedy that could
only happen in Newfoundland . Byron Prior's siblings has been abused
by generations of his own parents. Such abuse tolerated and enabled by
Bryron Prior's father, and by the entire community from which he is
from. That is the crime here. It would surprise me to find out that
either Byron or one of his siblings is or was the product of incest.
Arthur Topham has writen this about the Byron Prior case with the
assistance and consent of Audrey Prior, Byron Prior's wife.
On March 28th of this year (2009) I received a short email from Byron
Prior, an associate out in Newfoundland, who I have been in email
contact with for a number of years. His case, as explained in the
websites listed in his email below, is most likely one of the best
examples of the power of the provincial and federal courts, aided and
abetted by a complicit media, to shield themselves and their political
cohorts from the scrutiny of public investigation. Byron’s case is a
classic, albeit a relatively unknown one, that epitomizes the level of
corruption which exists within Canada’s politically biased judicial
system and how that system becomes criminal itself in its overt and
covert methodologies used to shield the perpetrators of sexual abuse.
When people of power are accused of wrongdoing and there is good
reason for inquiries to be held then those in such positions exploit
their influence for their own self-serving benefit and to the
detriment of our justice system as a whole.
Byron Prior’s case, like my own fight with B’nai Brith Canada and the
Canadian Human Rights Commission, is purposely kept hidden in the
twilight and shadows constructed by the Zionist-controlled mainstream
media. Our situations are quite different in terms of the underlying
reasons for the persecutions we face but the fact that the system
itself is abusing us both is beyond question. In my case the “crime”
is speaking the truth as I see it about the Rothschild Zionist global
conspiracy.
In Byron’s case the circumstances are far beyond anything so
threatening as the intellectual attack that I am being subjected to by
the state and its Zionist manipulators. His story is a macabre horror
story compared to my own, the details of which would provide ample
subject matter for a full length documentary. The reaction, by
Canada’s legal system, to his noble and sincere efforts to gain both
recognition and justice are frightening and ominous.
We have heard Dean Roger Ray tell everyone that freemasons raped Byron
Prior's sister. He has told us the "cover-up"has been perpertrated, by
freemasons, Jesuits, and the illuminati. Now conspiracy retard Arthur
Topham claims kinship with Byron Prior and the involvment of the
"State" and the "Zionists" in his "case" and the Byron Prior tragedy.
Last evening over drinks at "a faculty club" at the U of A, I asked
two members to the Faculty of Law if they knew anything of Mr. Priors
case. Both relied NOTHING other than two "Charter issues" that have
recently dealt with by the Newfoundland Supreme Court . Indeed he was
exculpated and acquitted. None ofus are sure exactly why
Mr.Prior's sexual assault allegations were fully investigated and that
there was NOT enough evidence to lay charges...especially considering
the time that has elapsed. As I understand it ...there is NO legal
means given the lack of evidence to compel Mr. Hickman to provide a
DNA sample. In fact his CharterRights preclude that. That begs the
question are Mr. Priors Charter Rights more important or relevant than
Mr. Hickman's?
So what is justice here? Mr. Hickman ought not be compelled to provide
body samples merely because Byron prior accuses his of something
without evidece, reseasonable or probable cause.There appears to be NO
FACTS in this matter, no evidence to compel further proceedings.
So now with Byron Priors ecouragement the conspiracy constitency has
embraced his cause. The Zionists are to blame, the freemasons raped
his sister ad nauseum...whereas the only conspiracy I see.....is in
Byron Prior's community and his family...they have alll covered up
this disgusting, inhuman incestuous abuse for generations .
Byron Prior is obviously insane ..after all this who wouldn't be...he
should provide the evidence of his allegations to compel a DNA sample
...simply accept the fact there are no legal grounds to forciably
obtain one.
Byron Prior has made a bargain with the devil embracing conspiracy
retards.....he should just put in a deep dark hole.
Posted by Seren at 5:02 AM
http://qslspolitics.blogspot.
Truth matters
Defamation law that ignores truth ruled unconstitutional
Peter Walsh - The Telegram (St. John's, NFLD)
Tuesday, May 6
The Supreme Court of Newfoundland has ruled a law that could send
someone to prison for defamation is unconstitutional.
Justice Lois Hoegg made the decision Friday. Her ruling also struck
down a criminal case by Crown prosecutors against Byron Prior of Grand
Bank.
Prior claims that in 1966, a justice official in the province raped
and impregnated one of his relatives. Crown attorneys say Prior wore
placards and distributed flyers which published the allegations.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary interviewed Prior's relative in
2004 and in 2007, but the alleged victim denied she had been sexually
assaulted or that she even knew the person Prior said had attacked
her.
Crown prosecutors tried to convict Prior of defamation under Section
301 of the Criminal Code, which says "everyone who publishes a
defamatory libel is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years."
The problem is, Hoegg said, the Crown couldn't prove that Prior was
knowingly spreading lies.
"I find that it is not justified, in our free and democratic society,
for the Crown to use the heavy hammer of the criminal law against a
subject for publishing defamatory libel when the Crown is not able to
show that the subject knows that his statements are false.
"The expression of truthful, unpopular or even false statements
deserve protection unless expressed in a violent manner," wrote Hoegg.
Hoegg said if the Crown could prove Prior knowingly published
defamatory libel, it would have charged him under a different section
of the criminal code that says "everyone who publishes a defamatory
libel that he knows is false is guilty of an indictable offence and
liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years."
That law has withheld court challenges. Section 301 - the law which
does not mention the matter of truth - has been struck down as
unconstitutional by three other superior courts in Canada.
"The sections catch different types of offender. To me, it naturally
follows that their purpose or objectives must be different," wrote
Hoegg. "I then determined that the objective (of Section 301) was not
so pressing and important as to override freedom of expression. The
section is offensive to modern day notions of justice."
The decision only applies to criminal applications of defamation law.
Hoegg said Prior could possibly be sued in civil court over his
allegations.
Three years ago, a federal politician filed a statement of claim in
the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador to have a website that
contained allegations about him by Prior removed. In the statement,
the politician said a website posted by Prior accuses him and other
prominent Newfoundlanders of wrongdoing.
A website containing the allegations is still active ( see 1). Prior
claims to be a victim of physical and sexual abuse.
pwalsh@thetelegram.com 709-364-2323
Dan F said...
2005 01 T 0010
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
TRIAL DIVISION
BETWEEN:
WILLIAM MATTHEWS PLAINTIFF
AND:
BYRON PRIOR DEFENDANT
AND BETWEEN:
BYRON PRIOR DEFENDANT/PLAINTIFF
BY COUNTERCLAIM
AND: WILLIAM MATTHEWS PLAINTIFF/FIRST DEFENDANT
BY COUNTERCLAIM
AND: T. ALEX HICKMAN SECOND DEFENDANT
BY COUNTERCLAIM
AND: THOMAS MARSHALL THIRD DEFENDANT
BY COUNTERCLAIM
AND: DANNY WILLIAMS FOURTH DEFENDANT
BY COUNTERCLAIM
AND: EDWARD M. ROBERTS FIFTH DEFENDANT
BY COUNTERCLAIM
AND: JOHN CROSBIE SIXTH DEFENDANT
BY COUNTERCLAIM
AND: PATTERSON PALMER SEVENTH DEFENDANT
BY COUNTERCLAIM
SUMMARY OF CURRENT DOCUMENT
Court File Number(s):2005 01 T 0010
Date of Filing of Document: 25 January 2005
Name of Filing Party or Person: Stephen J. May
Application to which Document being filed relates: Amended
Application of the Plaintiff/Defendant by Counterclaim to maintain an
Order
restricting publication, to strike portions of the Statement of
Defence, strike the Counterclaim in it's entirety, and to refer this
proceeding to case management.
Statement of purpose in filing: To maintain an Order restricting
publication, to strike portions of the Statement of Defence, strike
the Counterclaim in its entirety and refer this proceeding to case
management.
A F F I D A V I T
I, Stephen J. May, of the City of St. John's, in the Province of
Newfoundland and Labrador, Barrister and Solicitor, make oath and
say as follows:
THAT I am a Partner in the St. John's office of PATTERSON PALMER
solicitors for William Matthews, the Member of Parliament for
Random-Burin-St. George's in the Parliament of Canada.
THAT Mr. Matthews originally retained Mr. Edward Roberts, Q.C. on
or about 30 April 2002 after Mr. Byron Prior, the Defendant/Plaintiff
by
Counterclaim, had made allegations against Mr. Matthews in a
publication called "My Inheritance - The truth - Not Fiction: A Town
with a Secret". In that publication, the allegation was made that Mr.
Matthews had had sex with a girl who had been prostituted by her
mother. That girl was alleged to have been Mr. Prior's sister.
THAT upon being retained, Mr. Edward Roberts wrote a letter to Mr.
Prior. That letter to Mr. Prior is attached as Exhibit "1" to my
Affidavit.
THAT subsequent to Mr. Roberts' letter to Mr. Prior, Mr. Roberts
received a 1 May 2002 e-mail from Mr. Prior. That e-mail is attached
as Exhibit "2".
THAT subsequent to Mr. Roberts receipt of the e-mail, Mr. Prior
swore an Affidavit acknowledging that what had been said in that
publication was false. That Affidavit is attached as Exhibit "3" to my
Affidavit.
Following Mr. Roberts' receipt of that Affidavit, Mr. Matthews
advised that he was satisfied not to pursue the matter any further and
our firm closed our file.
THAT on or about 25 October 2004, I was retained by Mr. Matthews
following his gaining knowledge that a web site, made a series of
allegations against him relating to my having sex with a girl of
approximately 12 years old through to an approximate age of 15 years
old. It also accused him of being a father of one of her children and
accused him of having raped that girl. Upon checking the web site I
saw that Byron Prior, the Defendant, had been identified as the
author of the material on the site.
THAT Mr. Matthews instructed me to write Mr. Prior, to remind him of
the fact that the allegations had been admitted to being false
through a 16 May 2002 Affidavit to advise him of Mr. Matthews'
intentions to commence legal proceedings if the comments were not
removed from the web site. A copy of my letter to Mr. Prior is
attached as Exhibit "4" to this Affidavit.
THAT I attach as Exhibit "5" a transcript from a 5 November 2004
voicemail left by David Amos, identified in the voicemail as a
friend of Mr. Prior.
THAT I attach as Exhibit "6" a portion of a 6 November 2004 e-mail
from Mr. Amos.
THAT until I received his voicemail and e-mail, I had never heard
of Mr. Amos.
THAT Mr. Amos has continued to send me e-mail since his 5 November
e-mail. Including his 6 November 2004 e-mail, I have received a
total of 15 e-mails as of 23 January 2005. All do not address Mr.
Matthews' claim or my involvement as Mr. Matthews' solicitor. I attach
as Exhibit "7" a portion of a 12 January 2005 e-mail that Mr. Amos
sent to me but originally came to my attention through Ms. Lois Skanes
whose firm had received a copy. This e-mail followed the service of
the Statement of Claim on 11 January 2005 on Mr. Prior. I also attach
as Exhibit "8" a copy of a 19 January 2005 e-mail from Mr. Amos.
THAT I attach as Exhibit "9" a copy of a 22 November 2004 letter
addressed to me from Edward Roberts, the Lieutenant Governor of
Newfoundland and Labrador covering a 2 September 2004 letter from Mr.
Amos addressed to John Crosbie, Edward Roberts, in his capacity as
Lieutenant Governor, Danny Williams, in his capacity as Premier of
Newfoundland and Labrador, and Brian F. Furey, President of the Law
Society of Newfoundland and Labrador. I requested a copy of this
letter from Government House after asking Mr. Roberts if he had
received any correspondence from Mr. Amos during his previous
representation of Mr. Matthews. He advised me that he received a
letter since becoming Lieutenant Governor, portions of which involved
his representation of Mr. Matthews. Mr. Roberts' letter also covered
his reply to Mr. Amos.
THAT I attach as Exhibit "10" an e-mail from Mr. Amos received on
Sunday, 23 January 2005.
THAT I swear this Affidavit in support of the Application to strike
Mr. Prior's counterclaim.
SWORN to before me at
St. John's, Province of Newfoundland and Labrador this 24th day of
January, 2005.
Signed by Della Hart
STEPHEN J. MAY
Signature STAMP
DELLA HART
A Commissioner for Oaths in and for
the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. My commission expires
on December 31, 2009
May 9, 2008 at 11:24 PM
David Raymond Amos said...
Nighty night Danny Doy. Trust that you Fake Left Dudes know less
than nothing about Byron Prior and whatever I learned it was byway of
the school of hard knocks. With luck you are about to get one too
Danny Boy.
Heres hoping I will see your local heroes T.J. Burke and Chucky
Leblanc in court soon let me know if your school gives ya the boot
will ya? I need a good laugh. I am feeling as mean as a snake Werner
lost three cattle just this week like you give a good god damn EH?
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/
Neo-Nazi estate dispute to be overseen by Jewish groups
Two Jewish groups and New Brunswick attorney general to weigh in on case
CBC News Posted: Aug 21, 2013 10:36 AM AT
Three outside groups will be allowed to weigh in on a legal dispute
over a New Brunswick man’s estimated $250,000 estate being left to an
American neo-Nazi group.
Robert McCorkill died in 2004, leaving $250,000 in artifacts and
investments to the National Alliance, a white supremacist group in the
United States.
Robert McCorkill lived in Saskatoon and Ottawa before moving to Saint
John, where he died in 2004. (Southern Poverty Law Center)McCorkill's
sister, Isabelle McCorkill, wants the will quashed and filed an
injunction last month.
When the matter goes to court in September, two prominent Jewish
groups and the provincial attorney general will join her side.
Anita Bromberg is the head of legal affairs with B'nai Brith Canada —
one of three groups granted intervener status in the McCorkill case.
She said neo-Nazi beliefs are on the rise in Europe and a six figure
gift to the National Alliance could breathe life into the movement
here.
"There's still an attraction to this philosophy, and to revive it is a
dangerous concept," she said.
B'nai Brith will be joined by the Centre for Israel and Jewish
Affairs, another of the interveners.
Richard Marceau, the general counsel for the Centre for Israel and
Jewish Affairs, shares Bromberg’s concerns.
"The National Alliance is much weaker than it was in the past and we
don't want to take any chances of money breathing new life into it,"
he said.
The province of New Brunswick, represented by the attorney general,
will also have standing at next month's hearing.
All the interveners will be able to make submissions, trying to
convince the court to wipe away McCorkill's will.
The lawyer representing the interests of the National Alliance did not
object to any of the group's weighing in.
Rare coins, ancient weapons collection
The collection includes Greek and Roman coins that are thousands of
years old, an ancient Iranian sword, Neolithic arrowheads and an
Egyptian stone tablet from the 13th Dynasty, according to a 55-page
appraiser's report from August 2010.
McCorkill was born in 1937, the son of a farmer in Bearbrook, Ontario.
He became a chemist and lived in Saskatoon in the 1990s, when he
joined the National Alliance.
The University of Saskatchewan's Museum of Antiquities was lent a
portion of his coin collection and put it on display for several
years.
When McCorkill moved to Ottawa around 2000, he took his collection
with him. Some of his artifacts remain on loan to the University of
Ottawa's Museum of Classical Antiquities.
He's buried in Saint John's Fernhill Cemetery
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