New Brunswick's pre-Christmas power outage among the worst of past decade
N.B. Power says outages will be studied to learn what can be improved
N.B. Power is still totalling up costs from the pre-Christmas storm that cut service to 129,000 New Brunswick customers, but based on previous big storms it will be a multimillion-dollar bill.
The larger question is whether millions more should be spent to better protect N.B. Power's distribution system from damage caused by similar weather events in the future, or whether that is even possible in a time of climate change.
"The restoration effort has become one of the largest in our company's history," said N.B. Power's Dominique Couture in an email Wednesday about the extent of damage the utility dealt with following a Dec. 18 storm that brought heavy rains, damaging winds and widespread blackouts.
"We do know that this storm was one of the most intense wind events our province has seen."
Couture said it is "too early" to know the costs of fixing damaged infrastructure and engaging more than 300 repair crews over eight days to restore service to every customer, but in 2022, the utility spent $7.1 million to deal with much less damage and fewer outages caused by post-tropical storm Fiona.
The pre-Christmas storm joins four others in the last decade that have hit New Brunswick with enough force to require six days or more to fully restore electricity from all of the outages left in their wake.
N.B.
Power vice-president of operations Nicole Poirier says the utility has
studied burying power lines to reduce outages but the cost is too high. (Government of New Brunswick livestream)
Those include a Christmas ice storm in 2013 in southern New Brunswick that took 11 days for the last customer to be reconnected; post-tropical storm Arthur in June 2014 that had some customers waiting 14 days for service; a January 2017 ice storm that knocked out power in northeastern New Brunswick for up to 12 days; and another intense wind storm in November 2018 that took six days to fully restore electricity.
Earlier this week, the last customers suffering outages from the Dec. 18 storm got their power back, on Day 8.
Last week, N.B. Power's vice-president of operations, Nicole Poirier, said storms in New Brunswick have grown "more intense" than they once were and the utility has been attempting to protect its infrastructure as best it can.
"There is climate change. I think we can see it all around us and I think we see it in our storms," she said.
A
2017 ice storm that struck northeastern New Brunswick triggered 200,000
outages, and it took N.B. Power 12 days to get power fully restored. (Submitted by Diane Doiron )
To counteract that, N.B. Power has been trying to "harden" some of its equipment against the elements and widen distances between power lines and nearby trees, according to Poirier.
She said burying power lines has been looked at as a potential solution but the price is beyond reach for N.B. Power.
"The cost associated with burying underground wire is astronomical. At this point, there's no business case to do that," said Poirier.
"It's not that it hasn't been looked at and maybe in the future if things got cheaper you could do it but [now] there is no business case to do that. It's too costly."
The utility is constantly evaluating the costs and benefits of outage prevention versus outage repair.
This year, in a bid to save itself money in the short term, N.B. Power cut its budget for tree trimming and vegetation management around power lines to $14.1 million.
Outages
and damage caused by post-tropical storm Arthur in 2014 remain New
Brunswick's most severe. The last customer was reconnected 14 days after
first losing power. (Catherine Harrop/CBC)
That's down from $16.2 million the year before and less than the $14.8 million N.B. Power was budgeting for the same program six years ago, despite 24 per cent inflation since then.
The utility is proposing to add back to the vegetation management budget next year what was cut this year, but Couture said if a review of the recent storm and outages shows more money is needed for prevention, it will be looked at.
"We will review the response to this storm as we do for all major events," said Couture.
"We routinely assess our vegetation management program and will continue to do so."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Over 14,000 customers remain without power in N.B. as holidays near
N.B. Power says it remains focused on restoring power for Christmas
For those who work a Monday to Friday job, it is the last day of work before the holidays. But for some, colourful lights and decorations won't be lit up.
After a wind and rain storm on Monday knocked out power for 129,000 people, crews were still continuing restoration efforts on Friday to bring more than 14,000 still-powerless customer of N.B. Power back online.
Two schools, Back Bay Elementary School and Lawrence Station Elementary School in the Anglophone South School District, were still closed because of power outages.
Harvey Elementary and High schools were also closed, but because of hazardous road conditions and not related to power.
The Monday storm saw 100 km/h winds in Fredericton, according to Environment Canada, and extreme wind speeds in other parts of the province as well.
The remaining outages are concentrated in the Charlotte Southwest and Central York Sunbury regions, according to the N.B. Power website.
For the outages with listed estimated restoration times, power is expected to be back by late Friday or Saturday.
On Friday morning, temperatures for most of the province were in the negative double digits, according to Environment Canada, with wind chills hovering around -17 C or -18 C for most regions.
Dominique Couture, a spokesperson for N.B. Power, said in an email that crews worked overnight on power restoration and 117,000 customers have been restored to date.
"We remain focused on our goal to restore all customers by Christmas," she said in the email.
"As activity picks up ahead of the holidays, please help us keep our crews safe as they work in your neighbourhoods and alongside busy roads. Make sure you slow down, proceed with caution, and ensure they have enough space to safely do their work."
Charles V. Firlotte Appointed NB Power Board Chair
2021-03-04
NB Power of Fredericton, New Brunswick, is pleased to announce the appointment of Charles (Chuck) Firlotte as Chair of its Board of Directors.
MEDIA CONTACT: Sheila Lagacé, Communications, NB Power
N.B. Power CEO fired as utility embarks on 'transformational change'
Board of directors made decision to fire CEO Keith Cronkhite 2 years after he started in role
Aidan Cox · CBC News · Posted: Jul 04, 2022 6:25 PM AT
The board of directors at N.B. Power has removed its top executive as the Crown corporation embarks on a plan to bring about "transformational change."
The company issued a statement Monday that president and CEO Keith Cronkhite would be stepping down from the position and that Lori Clark, the company's senior vice-president operations would be appointed to the role on an acting basis.
In an interview with CBC News, Charles Firlotte, chair of N.B. Power's board, confirmed the decision to remove Cronkhite was made by the board.
"The board is looking forward to the future and the energy sector in North America — indeed globally — is undergoing massive, massive change, transformational-like, and we need to follow suit.
"And we are also burdened with some pretty significant debt as well, and so we have a steep climb over the next few years and we're looking toward a transformational change from what N.B. Power is today, which is the last of the great monopolies, if you will, to an efficient energy provider for all New Brunswickers."
NB Power Chair Steps Down
2023-03-23
The New Brunswick Power Corporation Board of Directors today announced that Charles (Chuck) Firlotte is stepping down from his role as Board Chair. Vice Chair Andrew MacGillivray will serve as the Chair.
“It has been an honour to serve on the NB Power Board for the past nine years, including the last three years as Board Chair,” says Firlotte. “With the appointment of Lori Clark, the first female President and CEO in the century-plus history of NB Power, the development of a strategic plan now ready for implementation, and a cost optimization review now complete, I depart with every confidence NB Power is on the right path toward a promising future. The Board is in great hands with Andrew MacGillivray, and I would like to thank Premier Higgs and Minister Holland for the opportunity to serve my province."
Andrew MacGillivray has been a member of the NB Power Board since April 2015 and has served as Vice Chair for the past six years. Mr. MacGillivray is the retired President and CEO of Gay Lea Foods, a large Canadian dairy co-operative. He serves as the Chair of the Moosehead and Crosby Advisory Boards. He is actively engaged in advising and supporting local businesses and community programs.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Chuck for his service to NB Power and the province of New Brunswick,” says MacGillivray. “I look forward to working with the Board and management to continue the work advanced under Chuck’s leadership.”
NB Power is the primary electric utility in New Brunswick. It provides reliable and safe energy that powers the homes, businesses and communities of more than 400,000 direct and indirect customers every day.
N. B. Power says it was prepared for storm that saw 129,000 customers lose power
Individuals can now register uninsured damage with province
Poirier said N.B. Power makes predictions on how many crews it will need in advance, but when asked if additional crews now on scene should have been called in earlier, she said no.
"We were prepared with what we felt we needed in order to respond," Poirier said. "Once the storm hit, we obviously saw winds like we haven't seen, damage that we were not predicting based on what we saw last week.
"As soon as we understood the extent of our damage, we'd be reaching out to other partners."
She said other jurisdictions now helping restore power in New Brunswick were busy with damage in their own locations at the start of the storm.
Monday's storm brought ferocious winds, with a top speed of 100 km/h clocked at the Fredericton Airport, according to Environment Canada. Poirier said the majority of outages to be fixed are in the Fredericton, Woodstock, and Charlotte County areas.
Poirier also said the coming introduction of smart meters will help N.B. Power better know when outages happen instead of relying so heavily on reports from customers and crews in the field.
Residents can submit damage reports
Public Safety Minister Kris Austin said people can now submit damage claims to the province so officials have a better sense of overall damage.
"It's important that people register their storm damage so that we can have an accurate picture before any decisions on disaster financial assistance can be made."
Austin said there is a threshold of $3 million of uninsurable damages across the province before disaster financial assistance can kick in, so it's important people register damage that is not covered by their insurance.
He said New Brunswickers should check with insurance companies now to see what is covered before making their claim to the province. Uninsurable damage can be reported to the province at 1-888-298-8555 or gnb.ca/storm.
N.B.
Power crews are working to restore power to the remaining customers
without electricity, including people in the Fredericton area. (Cam Goguen)
Poirier said N.B. Power makes predictions on how many crews it will need in advance, but when asked if additional crews now on scene should have been called in earlier, she said no.
"We were prepared with what we felt we needed in order to respond," Poirier said. "Once the storm hit, we obviously saw winds like we haven't seen, damage that we were not predicting based on what we saw last week.
"As soon as we understood the extent of our damage, we'd be reaching out to other partners."
She said other jurisdictions now helping restore power in New Brunswick were busy with damage in their own locations at the start of the storm.
Monday's storm brought ferocious winds, with a top speed of 100 km/h clocked at the Fredericton Airport, according to Environment Canada. Poirier said the majority of outages to be fixed are in the Fredericton, Woodstock, and Charlotte County areas.
Poirier also said the coming introduction of smart meters will help N.B. Power better know when outages happen instead of relying so heavily on reports from customers and crews in the field.
Residents can submit damage reports
Public Safety Minister Kris Austin said people can now submit damage claims to the province so officials have a better sense of overall damage.
"Its important that people register their storm damage so that we can have an accurate picture before any decisions on disaster financial assistance can be made."
Austin said there is a threshold of $3 million of uninsurable damages across the province before disaster financial assistance can kick in, so it's important people register damage that is not covered by their insurance.
He said New Brunswickers should check with insurance companies now to see what is covered before making their claim to the province. Uninsurable damage can be reported to the province at 1-888-298-8555 or gnb.ca/storm.
Minister of Public Safety Kris Austin is asking residents to submit reports about property damage not covered by insurance. (Government of New Brunswick livestream)
The form is for individuals, tenants, small businesses, and not-for-profits.
Austin said people can also contact the Red Cross to register food loss they sustained during the power outage.
"We knew, when the storm hit, that this would be pretty significant," Austin said.
He said the outage count is similar to post-tropical storm Arthur, but the data gathered from the public's damage reports to the province will help give a better comparison to other recent storms.
"This isn't our first storm, and certainly won't be our last," Austin said.
N.B. Power disagrees tree-trimming budget was cut
Poirier also addressed the question of whether N.B. Power did enough preventative instead of reactive measures before the storm came, including managing vegetation growth on and around its power line network.
"I can say that damage reports would say that this event is largely a tree event," Poirier said, adding that vegetation management is a priority for N.B. Power.
N.B. Power says more crews joined restoration efforts on Thursday. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
"But as we all know, we have a lot of trees in New Brunswick."
She said the utility has spent over $120 million over the past nine years on vegetation management to clear dangerous branches and trees that threaten power lines.
However, N.B. Power has actually reduced its budget for vegetation management during the last six years.
Poirier would not say the utility has "reduced" its budget, but added there will be "more dollars" for vegetation management next year. She said the budget shouldn't be looked at from an individual-year perspective.
"It's difficult to just look at one year, it's an entire program."
Poirier said vegetation management looks at widening right of ways, dangerous trees, mulching, and other aspects. She said budgets have become more efficient because of better technology such as lidar, satellite imagery, and comparing practices with other utilities.
When asked by CBC News if N.B. Power had learned any lessons from this storm in terms of vegetation management, Poirier said the utility learns lessons from every storm.
She added that N.B. Power works with other utility partners to learn how vegetation management is done elsewhere and if efficiencies can be found.
'Optimal' conditions for repairs
David Brown, the president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 37, said something atypical about this storm is that it uprooted a number of large, white pine trees, which he said are typically "wind firm."
When that happens, it brings the lines right to the ground, he said.
"The vast destruction and where it's spread out throughout the province is unbelievable," said Brown.
Luckily, Brown said, the conditions in the province have been optimal for repair work. He said extreme cold temperatures can hamper work in other ways, so at least with mild weather, the workers are comfortable.
Brown said he wants to thank the crews that have been out working the last few days "in the harshest conditions."
"They take a lot of pride in their work. And for that, I thank them, and I just encourage them to work safe and to follow the rules. And if they're tired, get the rest needed."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Information Morning Saint John
I lent a spare 1200 watt gen to neighbours. (Runs approx. 12 hours on 5 L of gas.)
... it ran their fridge and oil fired boiler perfectly 'til pwr came on.)
Many need more Kilowatts... but just buy to avert disaster... not inconvenience.
Years of reduced spending on tree clearing preceded major N.B. Power outage
Utility reduced spending on 'vegetation management' after 2018, including major cut this year
N.B. Power is blaming trees being pushed onto power lines by high winds for the severity of outages that struck more than 100,000 of its customers this week.
But so far the utility isn't saying if a reduction it implemented in its power line tree-cutting programs over the last six years, including a big reduction this year, is part of what went wrong.
"The most significant contribution for outages are fallen trees and vegetation on lines," N.B. Power spokesperson Dominique Couture said on Wednesday in an interview with CBC's Information Morning Fredericton.
"We do proactive tree maintenance all around the year but the reality is we cannot cut off all of the trees, and in this case we are seeing very large uprooted trees on our lines."
Arthur knocked out power for 200,000 customers
N.B. Power has an annual tree-cutting program along transmission and distribution lines that it expanded in 2014. That's the year post-tropical storm Arthur blew through New Brunswick, knocking out electricity to more than 200,000 N.B. Power customers, some for more than a week.
Trees hitting power lines caused many of the blackouts in that event as well, triggering a multi-year, multimillion-dollar effort by N.B. Power to "widen" distances between trees and more than 6,000 kilometres of its power-line corridors.
Spending by N.B. Power on managing tree growth along power lines peaked in the 2018 fiscal year at $15.5. million, a 48 per cent increase from what the utility spent in the year before Arthur hit.
Former N.B. Power president Gaetan Thomas said climate change was causing vegetation to grow faster and the utility had to increase what it spends on cutting to keep up.
Post-tropical
storm Arthur blew through New Brunswick in July 2014, dropping hundreds
of trees onto power lines. It led to more aggressive attempts to keep
all kinds of vegetation further away from power corridors, but spending
on those efforts was cut after 2018. (NB Power)
"We've seen tree branches grow by eight feet in one summer," Thomas told CBC News in 2015.
"We've had certified arborists that have been consulted and they're saying they've never seen something like that."
However, with N.B. Power under increasing financial pressure, spending on clearing power lines fell back to $12.5 million in 2019 and then reduced further to $12 million in 2021 and 2022.
In 2022, the utility initially budgeted to return spending on power-line tree clearing back above the $15-million level but ultimately left $3.1 million of that amount unspent.
Wind damage from Monday's storm was severe in several locations and outages were inevitable no matter how much tree clearing had been done beforehand.
Richard Corey, the mayor of Harvey-Royal, said in his area the storm was more destructive than anything he has witnessed before and that includes Arthur.
"The wind was the most noise and tree-moving event that I ever remember in my 74 years in this community," said Corey.
"It was frightening."
Richard
Corey, mayor of Harvey-Royal, said Monday's windstorm did more damage
than any natural event he can remember in his area. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
But according to statements made by N.B. Power in the past, power-line corridors that have been fully widened and kept clear do suffer less severe damage and are more quickly repaired than those that grow over.
Dan Cleveland, who lives on Fredericton's north side near the Nashwaaksis River, lost power Monday and wrote to Information Morning on Wednesday to say "three dead pine trees" fell on lines near his house that should have been cleared out years ago.
"So when a N.B. Power spokesperson talks about their vegetation program, my body gets warmed as my Irish temper rises," wrote Cleveland.
At its most recent rate hearing in front of the Energy and Utilities Board last winter, N.B. Power proposed a $2.2 million reduction in this year's power line tree-trimming budget, the largest scheduled decrease in more than a decade.
At
rate hearings earlier this year, N.B. Power executives, including CEO
Lori Clark (centre), proposed to cut $2.2 million from 'vegetation
management' to bolster the utility's bottom line. It said reduced tree
trimming along power lines presented only 'limited risk' of worsening
outages. (Jonathan Collicott/CBC News)
It conceded the move was designed solely to achieve better bottom-line financial results and "could have an impact" on the frequency and duration of outages experienced by customers during the year. But the utility predicted previous tree- trimming efforts would be enough to prevent any major trouble.
"Based on the progress in recent years to place more time, effort and budget on vegetation activities, the one-time reduction is believed to be of limited risk," N.B. Power wrote in its evidence.
Where that $2.2 million would have been spent, and what effect it might have had on the current outages is unknown.
In an email, Couture said N.B. Power has "optimized spending" by using technology to pinpoint areas in need of cutting. She said "strategic investments" have replaced "broad brush approaches to vegetation management, which are more costly and less effective."
However, with reduced amounts being spent since 2018, figures do show outages have been worsening. According to the utility's most recent annual report, N.B. Power customers experienced an average of 2.42 outages in the 2023 fiscal year that lasted for an average of 6.95 hours each.
That is 16.8 hours without power for the year for the average customer, 40 per cent higher than four years ago and 60 per cent higher than targets N.B. Power had set for itself.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Thousands of customers still without power in N.B. Christmas Day
N.B. Power crews working to restore power for more than 3,000 customers still affected
Safiyah Marhnouj · CBC News · Posted: Dec 25, 2022 11:01 AM AST
Yea Right
Trust that Higgy et al knew why I intervened last year
Date: Wed, Jun 21, 2023 at 4:09 PM
Matter 541 - NB Power 2023-2024 General Rate Application / Instance no 541Énergie NB Demande générale de tarifs pour 2023-2024
Good afternoon,
Please find attached a letter from the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board in relation to the above noted Matter.
Bonjour,
S'il vous plait trouver ci-joint une lettre de la Commission de l’énergie et des services publics du Nouveau-Brunswick ayant trait à l’instance susmentionnée.
Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2023 17:43:13 +0000
Subject: Matter 529 - NB Power Rate Design / Instance 529 - Énergie NB - Conception des tarifs
Good Afternoon,
Please find attached a Reasons for Decision in relation to the above-noted Matter.
Bonjour,
Veuillez trouver ci-joint les motifs de la décision ayant trait à l'instance susmentionnée.
Residents of Belleisle area grateful to volunteers who battled out-of-control wildfire
Lessons learned, needed equipment identified after last week's fire
Mia Urquhart · CBC News · Posted: Jun 05, 2023 7:00 AM ADT
"Sherwood said the fire started on Valley Road when a tree rubbed on the power lines because of the strong winds and resulted in "arcing" to the ground. "
N.B. Power aims to have all power restored by Christmas
About 38,000 customers still without power Wednesday afternoon
After a storm rocked New Brunswick with high winds and heavy rain on Monday and overnight into Tuesday, nearly 38,000 N.B. Power customers were still without power Wednesday afternoon, mostly in Charlotte County and the Fredericton area.
But N.B. Power is more hopeful today that people won't be spending any holidays in the dark.
"Our goal right now is to have all of our customers restored by Christmas," said Nicole Poirier, vice-president of operations with N.B. Power.
N.B. Power president Lori Clark said that since a peak of about 129,000 affected customers on Monday, about 85,000 outages have been fixed so far by crews.
In
St. Stephen, 93 km/h was the top wind speed recorded on Monday,
according to Environment Canada. Residents said they had never seen
anything like it. (Roger Cosman/CBC)
All hospitals have power, she said, adding that crews from Saint John Energy, Edmundston Energy, and some private contractors are also help.
"I know being without power is very difficult for our customers, especially as we approach the holidays," Clark said.
But many still remain without power, and officials had warned to be prepared for "prolonged outages" on Tuesday.
'These people are stranded,' says mayor
John Craig, mayor of the municipality of Eastern Charlotte, is concerned about trees still blocking Wellington Road in Blacks Harbour.
"There's a couple hundred people who were stranded and caught down there for a couple days. It's not so bad they're out of power, it's the point they can't get out of there,' Craig said.
"And we can't get in there, we can't get a firetruck in there, we can't get an ambulance down there. These people are stranded."
Craig said that N.B. Power crews are doing a good job, but wants this street to be more of a priority. At one point, trees blocked the main road to Blacks Harbour and the Grand Manan ferry terminal, before it was cleared.
"This road has to be cleared, and they're not making it a priority for the safety of those people."
No one in Harvey has power
As crews work to restore power, the rural community of Harvey, about a half-hour's drive southwest of Fredericton, remained fully without power on Wednesday.
"The whole place went down and it's never come back," said Mayor Richard Corey. "The entire 350 square miles of [Harvey Rural Community] has been without power since then. That's it."
As residents went onto day three of no power, Corey said, he needs to have clearer iformation from N.B. Power and the Emergency Management Organization about when power might be restored for his community.
When he contacted N.B. Power and the province to ask about restoration times, he was redirected to the N.B. Power outage website, the same resource that is publicly available to residents.
"The better we're able to communicate to our residents," Corey said. "The better they'll feel. When they call me and I say 'well look at the nb power website' well that doesn't give them much confidence.
"We need to get better at honest, truthful communication. If it's going to be 48 hours then say 48 hours."
There were still many downed trees on power lines in the Harvey area on Wednesday. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
When asked about communication with municipalities, Clark said they utility has someone working directly with EMO, who would then communicate with the communities
"We also have in some cases, municipalities reaching out to us if we have information we can share with them, we would. But a lot of that communication is through EMO."
Poirier added that N.B. Power has "one resource internally dedicated to mayors and communities … and he would be working hourly and daily with those municipalities to provide them updates."
Residents grappling with outages
Mavis Doucette, a resident of Hanwell, a suburb outside Fredericton, found herself in a tricky situation when she lost power. She had three freezers filled with food and needed to act quickly.
Luckily, a friend called her on Tuesday to say she could make room in her own freezer. The two worked to clean out Doucette's freezers and still had to throw out $300 to $400 worth of food.
But Doucette saved the most important things, about $700 worth, and the food is now in her friend's freezer.
"It just shows you that there's good people out there willing to help," Doucette said.
Couture told Information Morning Fredericton on Wednesday that damage is extensive, but N.B. Power was prepared and has additional crews coming out to help.
She said the priority for restoration was "critical infrastructure," such as health centres, fire and police.
"That was the main focus yesterday," she said.
"Then we have to restore power or address things that are public safety concerns. So, for example, if we see live wires ... And then we focus on the outages that can bring back the most amount of customers in the least amount of time."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Sam Farley, Lars Schwarz, and Frederic Cammarano
Wed, Dec 20, 2023 at 4:27 PM.
Matter 552 - NB Power 2024-2025 General Rate Application / Instance no 552 - Énergie NB Demande générale de tarifs 2024-2025
Good afternoon,
Please find attached an Order and a Notice from the New Brunswick
Energy and Utilities Board.
Bonjour,
S'il vous plait trouver ci-joint une ordonnance et un avis de la
Commission de l'énergie et des services publics du Nouveau-Brunswick.
N.B. Power seeking rate hikes of almost 10 per cent in 2024, 2025
Despite longer debt deadline, utility says 2 big increases needed to maintain service, start tackling debt
Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Dec 15, 2023 1:03 PM AST
"The requested increases are necessary to allow N.B. Power to fulfil its core responsibility, and to make modest improvements in its financial health," says the application.
"N.B. Power is concerned about affordability for our customers as they face a variety of inflationary pressures and recognizes that many customers will be challenged by this proposed increase."
An additional three-per-cent increase in April 2024 because of a cost variance account, and the end of a rebate this year from the same account worth 0.9 per cent, will bring the total residential rate increase to 13.7 per cent next year.
Most of that additional increase is due to the Point Lepreau nuclear station being out of service for an extended period last winter.
Energy Minister Mike Holland acknowledged that a 13.7 per cent hike will be difficult to swallow but he defended the utility's decision to set the figure it needs to address its debt.
"Nobody wants to see something like that, but it is a part of the process of the utility properly putting together a rate increase request," he said.
Thousands of customers still without power in N.B. Christmas Day
N.B. Power crews working to restore power for more than 3,000 customers still affected
Thousands are still without power in New Brunswick Sunday after two days of high wind gusts and heavy rain in some parts of the province.
More than 3,000 customers were without power as of 5:30 p.m. AT, according to the N.B. Power outage map. Peak outages on Saturday saw more than 71,000 customers lose power.
Outages have been reported in almost all parts of the province, with Kent County and Madawaska County some of the areas more affected as of Sunday afternoon.
N.B. Power spokesperson Marc Belliveau said there are more than 500 crew members and 30 contractors working on restoring the outages as quickly and safely as possible. Many customers can expect to get power back on or before Dec. 27, N.B. Power said in a tweet Sunday afternoon.
Winter
storms hit most of Canada over the weekend. Environment Canada is
warning of snow squalls in areas of New Brunswick throughout Sunday
morning. (Carlos Osorio/Reuters)
"We understand that losing power is difficult any time of year but especially during the holidays," he said.
Belliveau said the holiday weekend's storm is one of the largest province-wide events New Brunswich has seen in 25 years, causing more than 650 invidual outage incidents.
Special weather statement in place
Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for the Fundy coast and along southeast New Brunswick at 3:30 a.m. AT.
Snow squalls are expected throughout Sunday morning and into the evening, the statement said. Roadways and walkways may become difficult to navigate and drivers should be prepared for "winter driving conditions."
Storm surge warnings ended across the province Saturday afternoon, Environment Canada said.
Storm surge warnings were in place most of the day Saturday in the Bay of Chaleur from Miscou Island to Campbellton.
All other weather warnings or alerts in the province were lifted as of 5:30 p.m. AT Saturday.
- If the power or data on your device is low, get your storm updates on CBC Lite. It's our low-bandwidth, text-only website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/power-outage-prevention-program-cuts-1.6706435
Successful power-outage prevention program facing cuts, despite recent N.B. blackouts
N.B. Power proposes less tree trimming near power lines to bolster weak bottom line
Two damaging storms in the last four months that knocked out electricity to nearly 100,000 N.B. Power customers each time may be giving the utility second thoughts about cuts it has planned for a tree trimming program along power lines that has been helping to reduce outages in severe weather.
According to N.B. Power spokesperson Marc Belliveau, a decision to cut spending on the outage prevention program is not necessarily final.
"The vegetation program is constantly under review and can change depending on storms," Belliveau wrote in an email.
"The numbers for next year are estimates, but also are subject to change depending on needs."
A
tree blown onto a powerline in Moncton by post-tropical storm Fiona
catches fire. The storm knocked out power to nearly 100,000 N.B. Power
customers in September. (Catherine Allard/Radio Canada)
In a budget that takes effect this April, pending a review by the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board, N.B. Power has proposed to temporarily cut what it spends on tree trimming and other vegetation controls along power lines to help fund a single-year boost in its bottom line.
It is a "one-time reduction to vegetation management spending in 2023-24 to help offset other budget pressures," according to the utility in evidence filed with the utilities board.
N.B. Power has applied to the regulator for an 8.9 per cent rate increase to take effect April 1.
If granted, that will generate an extra $135.8 million in revenue for the utility, but N.B. Power says it will still post a loss for the year without reductions in spending as well, including a $2.5 million (19 per cent) cut in its outage-preventing tree cutting program.
The cuts are planned despite the program being credited by N.B. Power with effectively reducing the size, duration and severity of outages during major storms since funding was first expanded in 2014.
That was the year post-tropical storm Arthur blew through New Brunswick, knocking out electricity to more than 200,000 N.B. Power customers, some for more than a week.
Post-tropical
storm Arthur blew through New Brunswick in July 2014, dropping hundreds
of trees onto power lines. It caused widespread blackouts that affected
more than 200,000 N.B. Power customers and led to more aggressive
attempts to keep all kinds of vegetation further away from power
corridors. (NB Power)
Trees hitting power lines caused many of the blackouts, triggering a multi-year, multi-million dollar effort by N.B. Power to "widen" distances between trees and power lines over an area covering more than 6,000 kilometres.
The preventative tree cutting appeared to help.
Over the last three full fiscal years, ending in March 2022, N.B. Power has spent an average of $4.7 million per year restoring outages following storms. That's less than one third the average of $17.5 million per year spent during the six years before that.
According to N.B. Power it is an improvement directly linked to the tree trimming program.
"The wider distribution line right-of-ways N.B. Power has implemented are having a large impact on the number of reduced outages during significant weather events," the utility said in its evidence to the utilities board.
That has raised questions among multiple participants in N.B. Power's upcoming rate hearing about why it would cut a successful program if it has saved it money and helped prevent outages.
"What confidence does N.B. Power have that a reduction in distribution vegetation management spending will not otherwise affect reliability, particularly during storms," asked J.D. Irving Ltd. in a series of pre-hearing written questions to the utility about the proposal.
Heavy
winds blew down trees in Pointe-du-Chêne during post-tropical storm
Fiona. Restoring power during this event took up to three days for some
remote customers. (Nicolas Steinbach/Radio-Canada)
The reduction "is believed to be of limited risk" according to N.B. Power's response, although the move "could" negatively affect the frequency and duration of outages in the future, it acknowledged.
N.B. Power did note in its evidence that the budget that includes cuts to preventative tree trimming was prepared last June, before two major storms, including post-tropical storm Fiona in September and a pre-Christmas gale in December, showed tree-related outages still pose a risk.
Belliveau said N.B. Power is limited in what more it can say given the matter is before the Energy and Utilities Board, but will be able to "go into detail on what has been presented" during full public hearings.
Those are scheduled for seven days beginning Feb. 23.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Re Virtual Public Forum and Volunteer Firefighters
David Amos<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> | Tue, Jun 6, 2023 at 12:36 PM |
| To: vnorton@nbnet.nb.ca, office@threeriversnb.ca | |
| Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, "kris.austin" <kris.austin@gnb.ca>, "Holland, Mike (LEG)" <mike.holland@gnb.ca>, "Tammy.Scott-Wallace" <Tammy.Scott-Wallace@gnb.ca>, "Gary.Crossman" <Gary.Crossman@gnb.ca>, "Ross.Wetmore" <Ross.Wetmore@gnb.ca>, Sherry.Wilson@gnb.ca | |
Maritime Connection with Preston Mulligan, June 4, 2023: What are you doing to help others affected by the wildfires in our region? https://www.cbc.ca/listen/ | |
Residents of Belleisle area grateful to volunteers who battled out-of-control wildfire
Lessons learned, needed equipment identified after last week's fire
Around the same time a giant wildfire started near Saint Andrews on May 28, one began in the woods in the hills above Belleisle Bay, located roughly west of Hampton, north of Saint John.
In both fires, a local fire department of volunteers answered the call. Both departments dealt with similar conditions — a fire in the woods being driven by very strong winds toward people's homes.
When the call first came in around 1 p.m., Belleisle Valley Fire Department Capt. Mike Sherwood couldn't even see the smoke from across Belleisle Bay at his family's camp.
Within hours, however, heavy smoke was driven into the area by very strong winds, said Sherwood, forcing some people to leave that area on the opposite side of the bay.
Sherwood
said they've received so many inquiries about how to make donations to
the volunteer fire department that they've set up a new email address
for direct deposits. (Submitted by Mike Sherwood)
Closer to the fire, homeowners were convinced it was right on top of them because of the way the smoke blew close to the ground and far out ahead of the fire.
"The smoke was being carried so far, so fast, that people thought the fire was in their backyard, when in fact it was still roughly three-quarters of a kilometre from many homes along the bay, up on top of the hill," said Sherwood.
The close call was enough for residents to want to express their gratitude for the volunteers who answer the calls in the community.
In a post on the community's social media page, Sherwood said they've received so many inquiries about how to make donations to the department that they've set up a new email address for direct deposits to the department.
He also said he's hoping to use those funds to buy a drone for the fire department since "more and more the DNR [Department of Natural Resources] is relying on local departments to fight the fires."
It was his personal drone that he used, and it sustained some damage because of the heat. He said he'd like to buy a drone equipped with thermal imaging, which means it wouldn't have to fly as close to identify hot spots.
The fire began after strong winds pushed trees into power lines, causing the power to arc to the ground and catch fire. (Submitted by BVFD)
He said the information provided by the drone was invaluable in directing firefighters and resources in the fire zone.
Sherwood said he was given clearance and approval by the Department of Natural Resources and Energy to use the drone to create a plan of attack because they weren't able to acquire any water bombers — otherwise, it's illegal to fly a drone in the area of a forest or wildfire.
With the help of the drone, Sherwood said they were "able to direct the crews who were lugging 500 feet of hose through the woods from the truck that was actually pumping the water."
The drone was able to direct those on the ground to the easiest route through the woods.
"On the ground, there could be a roadway 10 feet away from you, and you'd never see it. That drone gave us a birds-eye view and allowed us to fight that fire a lot easier."
Provincial resources during wildfires
The Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development "does not offer direct financial support, the department provides training to fire departments on an annual basis," according to the department when asked about funding for volunteer departments.
In an email, a spokesperson said expenses are covered when "assistance is required" from fire departments.
The message said the department can also "provide trained wildland firefighters as well as logistical, operation and planning resources" and aerial support.
"Emergency Measures Organization provides logistics related to evacuations and community support. We also would like to mention others agencies including the forest industry, N.B. Power, the Red Cross and all other groups who help provide assistance during these times."
From clear skies to thick smoke
When Sherwood reached the fire department to gear up on the afternoon of May 28, the response was "pretty sparse," he said, which isn't unusual for a Sunday afternoon. Later that day, though, as smoke and word about the fire spread, they had 29 firefighters on the scene. They also had help from Norton and Wickham fire departments.
Sherwood said the fire started on Valley Road when a tree rubbed on the power lines because of the strong winds and resulted in "arcing" to the ground.
"By the time we headed out with the trucks, it was obvious that we had something big going on," said Sherwood.
Valley Road is located over the hill from Belleisle Bay, upriver from the ferry on the Kars side. Heavy winds pushed the smoke over the hill and across the bay to the southeast.
The fire itself burned in that direction for about three kilometres, toward homes and cottages along the bay.
But unlike the Stein Lake fire in Chamcook, a twist of fate and wind direction helped prevent disaster in Belleisle.
The fire started around 1 p.m. on May 28 on Valley Road in Kars, and strong winds blew it over the hill toward Belleisle Bay. (Submitted by BVFD)
"In most cases you can say it always could have been worse, but Mother Nature helped us out in this one for sure," said Sherwood.
The winds turned about 180 degrees and drove the fire back along the same path it had already burned.
That, said Sherwood, is what prevented the situation from being a disaster. Without it being driven by the winds, firefighters were able to stop the fire from advancing further toward the bay and the structures along its shores.
Sherwood estimates the fire came to within three-quarters of a kilometre of the nearest home.
He said no homes were officially evacuated, although the residents of the house that was considered closest to the fire's path had packed a few things and left — with four family members joining the fire department's efforts to fight the blaze.
Having gotten lucky by the change of wind direction, Sherwood said the fire, although out of control, wasn't deemed serious enough to warrant diverting water bombers from the fire in the Saint Andrews area, which started around the same time.
Eventually the fire was brought under control, but it still wasn't declared officially "out" by Sunday night.
A grateful community responds
Like the firefighters who worked around the clock to battle the out-of-control forest fire in Chamcook and Bocabec, the efforts of the Belleisle Valley Fire Department were immediately on the minds of Belleisle-area residents.
Sherwood said the local food truck cooked up 50 hamburgers while an across-the-road-neighbour from the fire station made 50 hotdogs.
Sherwood said they often receive donations from those who have been helped by the department. It's often used to buy new equipment or water for the firefighters, which can be significant.
The
fire tore through the woods toward houses and cottages on the Kars side
of Belleisle Bay before the winds turned 180 degrees and pushed it back
along its original path. (Submmited by BVFD)
"I have no idea how much water we drank that day, but it was in the hundreds of gallons. That all has to come from somewhere and that's typically what the donations are for."
The severity of this fire, however, seems to have hit residents close to home and the appreciation seems to be "deeper," said Sherwood.
"There was a lot of uncertainty with the way the wind was blowing because if you were running through the woods, I don't think you could have kept ahead of that fire," he said.
"Things were happening and changing that fast and that fluidly. So yes, people were scared and I think they're very appreciative that we were able to deal with that situation and stop it."
Lightening the load
Sherwood also hopes to buy forestry hoses for the department with any extra money donated by residents. Forestry hoses are smaller and lighter than regular hoses and make trekking through heavy terrain far from the trucks a lot easier on firefighters.
"That firefighter is going to last four or five times longer before he's completely and utterly exhausted," said Sherwood
"It's just like carrying a garden hose versus carrying about 50 pounds of rubber-wrapped firefighting hose."
With the way the climate is changing, Sherwood anticipates that fire departments will be dealing with more forest fires in the future.
"And the better equipped we are to deal with it, the faster that's going to be put out."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
David Amos
Tune into the 25 minute mark of
Maritime Connection with Preston Mulligan,
June 4, 2023: What are you doing to help others affected by the
wildfires in our region?
Corrie Weatherfield
From caption under picture . . . "strong winds pushed trees into power lines" . . . gotta love the careful maintenance work of the outfit that looks after those power lines
David Amos
Reply to Corrie Weatherfield
Now you know why I called
Volunteer firefighter shortage putting communities at risk, chiefs say
Fire departments are struggling to recruit enough volunteers to quickly respond to calls
At the Petitcodiac fire station, Chief Craig Ramsey worries he might be short of firefighters for the next emergency call. Most daytime hours, only three-to-five volunteers are typically available.
"It's extremely concerning," he said. "From time-to-time we have excellent coverage and there's times we have very poor coverage."
Petitcodiac is one of a growing number of communities in New Brunswick and across Canada struggling to find enough volunteers to keep residents safe.
While cities employ career firefighters, small towns and villages rely on volunteers.
Peter
Saunders has been a volunteer firefighter for more than 30 years and is
a former chief. He's also the mayor of the newly amalgamated village of
Three Rivers, which includes Petitcodiac. (Alexandre Silberman/CBC)
Out of the more than 5,000 firefighters in the province, about 95 per cent are volunteers, according to the New Brunswick Association of Fire Chiefs.
Petitcodiac's station currently has 23 volunteers, but Ramsey said the department needs at least five more.
In the small community around 42 kilometres southwest of Moncton, many residents once worked at a large sawmill. But after the operation closed, most now drive to work in the city. At times, that leaves as few as two volunteers to respond to an emergency, forcing a reliance on mutual aid from surrounding communities.
24-7 commitment
Peter Saunders is mayor of the newly amalgamated village of Three Rivers, which includes Petitcodiac. He's been a volunteer firefighter for more than 30 years and previously served as chief.
Saunders, 61, works at a building supplies store in the village of 1,400 people, where he keeps his radio on to monitor for calls. Being a volunteer firefighter is a 24-7 role and is disruptive to family, home and work life.
"One minute you're washing dishes, the next minute you're at the end of a hose line or you're driving a truck," Saunders said.
Despite working dangerous situations, most volunteers only receive a few hundred dollars a year to cover their mileage. If they reach enough hours, they are also eligible to claim a $3,000 federal tax credit.
It's also a big time commitment just to get started. It takes 100 hours to do the basic course to become a volunteer firefighter in New Brunswick. Most members also have to commit to regular training one-to-two-nights a week, in addition to responding to calls.
Saunders's father was a volunteer first responder with St. John Ambulance, which encouraged his involvement. But he's seen interest decline over his time with the fire department.
"I believe that we do make a difference, even though there are bad situations. It's the helping people and to have them comfortable in the toughest situations," he said.
Recruitment challenges
The New Brunswick Association of Fire Chiefs doesn't have exact numbers on the shortage, but president Scott Poupart, a volunteer firefighter near Bathurst, estimates most volunteer departments need an additional six to 12 firefighters on their rosters.
"We're all in a continual recruitment and retention mode," he said.
Canada lost 30,000 firefighters over the past six years, according to a national survey.
Most firefighters in New Brunswick are over the age of 50, and many long-serving volunteers are expected to retire in the coming years.
Ramsey, who has been a firefighter for 20 years, attributes the recruitment struggles to several factors, including changing family dynamics and a decline in volunteerism in general.
Another challenge is that the responsibilities of a firefighter have greatly expanded beyond fires. Calls now include car accidents, medical calls, off-road rescues, overdoses and forest fires. The varying incidents require more specialized training.
The number of calls is now on the rise, with Petitcodiac firefighters responding to more than 150, on average, per year.
Since Saunders started, he said the types of emergencies firefighters respond to and provincial regulations have all expanded. Some calls can be traumatic, including grim car accidents, he said.
"You're asking for a lot for someone to be a volunteer today in the fire department business. For a thank you, for a handshake, for that barbecue. It's a lot," he said.
Possible solutions
As the number of volunteer firefighters decline, some departments are starting to pay members per call or hiring full-time chiefs — substantial costs for rural communities already footing the bill for expensive firefighting equipment. Others are hiring a few career firefighters to supplement the volunteers.
Scott Poupart is a volunteer firefighter near Bathurst and president of the New Brunswick Association of Fire Chiefs. (Submitted by Scott Poupart)
Saunders suggests one solution could be recruiting volunteers in whatever capacity they're willing to lend a hand.
"Maybe there's some people who don't want to go near car accidents, or maybe there's some people who don't want to wear an air pack. That's fine, but I'm telling you there's a job for you somewhere that you're going to be comfortable with," he said.
Firefighter associations are also lobbying the federal government to increase the volunteer tax credit to $10,000 from $3,000 per year.
Poupart said while the field is dangerous, there are ways to make it more appealing and accessible.
"We need to draw that new blood into the fire service, and the only way we're going to do that is by making our training flexible enough, putting some incentives in place, whatever they may be," he said.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
David Amos
I remember the Petitcodiac Fire Dept coming to a former friend's farm many times in 2008
Shawn Tabor
Reply to David Amos
That was truly interesting.
David Amos
Reply to Shawn Tabor
You know all about it
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Date: Wed, 31 May 2023 15:34:16 -0300
Subject: Fwd: Virtual Public Forum - Matter 529 - NB Power Rate Design
Application / Forum Public Virtuel - Instance 529 - Énergie NB Demande
d'établissement des tarifs
To: office@rogersvillenb.ca, krista.lambert@doaktown.ca,
Robert.white@arcadianb.ca, Melanie.savoie@richibucto.org,
marcandre.godin@bereford.ca, bell001@nb.aibn.com,
village@saint-antoine.ca, Jocelyne.Hachey@csrchaleurrsc.
office@threeriversnb.ca, office@florencevillebristol.ca,
Jason.gaudet@easterncharlotte.
shane@villageofrexton.com, CAO@fundyalbert.ca, john@towngbw.ca,
remi.leblanc@bouctouche.ca, info@rsc5.ca, gilles.legacy@dalhousie.ca,
Village.harvey@rogers.com, clerk@hanwell.nb.ca
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, Eric.gagnon@grandsault.ca
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Angèle McCaie <gm@rogersvillenb.ca>
Date: Wed, 31 May 2023 10:52:18 -0700
Subject: Hors du bureau / Out of Office Re: Fwd: Virtual Public Forum
- Matter 529 - NB Power Rate Design Application / Forum Public Virtuel
- Instance 529 - Énergie NB Demande d'établissement des tarifs
To: david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Angèle McCaie n’est plus une employée de la municipalité de
Nouvelle-Arcadie. Pour la réception, vous pouvez appeler le (506)
775-2080 ou envoyer un courriel à office@rogersvillenb.ca
***
Angèle McCaie no longer works for the municipality of
Nouvelle-Arcadie. For the reception, you can call (506) 775-2080 or
send an email to office@rogersvillenb.ca
Merci beaucoup/ Thank you!
--
** Notez bien que le 21 avril 2023 sera ma dernière journée comme
directrice municipale de Nouvelle-Arcadie.
** Please note that April 21st 2023 will be my last day as General
Manager for Nouvelle-Arcadie.
Angèle McCaie (elle / she / her)
Directrice Générale
Nouvelle-Arcadie
10989 rue Principale
Rogersville, NB
E4Y 2L6
Tél: (506) 775-2080
Cell: (506) 625-2887
Télécopieur: (506) 775-2090
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "karen.petitpas@doaktown.ca" <Karen.petitpas@doaktown.ca>
Date: Wed, 31 May 2023 19:52:05 +0200
Subject: Out of Office
To: david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
I will be out of the office on Medical Leave for a few months. I will
be periodically checking my email, to keep updated.
If this is of an urgent matter , please email the Acting Assistant
Clerk Krista Lambert at krista.lambert@doaktown.ca or call
(506)365-7970 ext: 103.
If your matter has to do with water, sewer or transportation, please
contact our Public Works Supervisor, Shawn Brown at 506-365-0138.
Thank You!
Karen Petitpas
CAO/Clerk
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Date: Wed, 31 May 2023 14:52:04 -0300
Subject: Fwd: Virtual Public Forum - Matter 529 - NB Power Rate Design
Application / Forum Public Virtuel - Instance 529 - Énergie NB Demande
d'établissement des tarifs
To: joey@gssc-cesb.ca, Karen.petitpas@doaktown.ca,
comptabilite@saint-leonard.ca, Stephanie.thorne@nbse.ca,
scoulombe@saintquentin.ca, bettyann@
rogervil@nbnet.nb.ca, Jamie.degrace@airbathurst.com,
direction@neguac.com, Kathryn.clark@nackawic.com,
carole.tremblay@kedgwick.ca, dave.brown@lameque.ca
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Date: Wed, 31 May 2023 14:11:32 -0300
Subject: Fwd: Virtual Public Forum - Matter 529 - NB Power Rate Design
Application / Forum Public Virtuel - Instance 529 - Énergie NB Demande
d'établissement des tarifs
To: cemmerson@quispamsis.ca
Stephen P. Wilbur
Called to the bar: 1983 (NB)
Wilbur & Trueman
706B Coverdale Rd.
Riverview, New Brunswick E1B 3L1
Phone: 506-387-7715
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Date: Wed, 31 May 2023 16:26:22 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Virtual Public Forum - Matter 529 - NB Power
Rate Design Application / Forum Public Virtuel - Instance 529 -
Énergie NB Demande d'établissement des tarifs
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Please forward any inquiries to cemmerson@quispamsis.ca
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Date: Wed, 31 May 2023 13:26:13 -0300
Subject: Fwd: Virtual Public Forum - Matter 529 - NB Power Rate Design
Application / Forum Public Virtuel - Instance 529 - Énergie NB Demande
d'établissement des tarifs
To: vnorton <vnorton@nbnet.nb.ca>, jborne@dorchester.ca,
fallon@town.woodstock.nb.ca, earsenault@mcadamnb.com,
Tara.Olesen@sussex.ca, Claudette.maclean@snbsc.ca,
denise.guitard@shediac.ca, dianneayles@salisburynb.ca,
cspear@townofstandrews.ca, ashleyburchell@rothesay.ca,
scott.sparks@vonm.ca, michelle.dickinson@
mctdev@nb.aibn.com, caroline@memramcook.com, Paul.lang@csrk.ca,
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Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, "blaine.higgs"
<blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, "Holland, Mike (LEG)" <mike.holland@gnb.ca>,
info@rsc8.ca, nbowen@quispamsis.ca
https://mac-ccm.com/board-of-
Municipal Advisory Corporation Inc
Brenda Knight, Secretary
628 Route 715
Jemseg, NB
E4C 3P2
506-471-2653
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From: Melissa Curran <Melissa.Curran@nbeub.ca>
Date: Wed, 31 May 2023 13:57:44 +0000
Subject: Virtual Public Forum - Matter 529 - NB Power Rate Design
Application / Forum Public Virtuel - Instance 529 - Énergie NB Demande
d'établissement des tarifs
To: "ceo@fermenbfarm.ca" <ceo@fermenbfarm.ca>,
"louis-philippe.gauthier@cfib.
"frederic.gionet@cfib.ca" <frederic.gionet@cfib.ca>,
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"jpetrie@nbpower.com" <jpetrie@nbpower.com>,
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<SWaycott@nbpower.com>, "George.Porter@nbpower.com"
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<kevgibson@nbpower.com>, Veronique Otis <Veronique.Otis@nbeub.ca>,
"Young, Dave" <Dave.Young@nbeub.ca>, "Aherrington@lawsoncreamer.com
<Aherrington@lawsoncreamer.com
<Kathleen.Mitchell@nbeub.ca>, NBEUB/CESPNB <General@nbeub.ca>,
"Colwell, Susan" <Susan.Colwell@nbeub.ca>,
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<alain.chiasson2@gnb.ca>, "rdk@indecon.com" <rdk@indecon.com>,
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"paul.black@twinriverspaper.
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<tyler.rajeski@
"darcy.ouellette@
<darcy.ouellette@
<dan.murphy@umnb.ca>, "jeff.garrett@sjenergy.com"
<jeff.garrett@sjenergy.com>, "shelley.wood@sjenergy.com"
<shelley.wood@sjenergy.com>, "dan.dionne@perth-andover.com"
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<pierreroy@edmundston.ca>, "ryan.mitchell@sjenergy.com"
<ryan.mitchell@sjenergy.com>, "sstoll@stollprofcorp.com"
<sstoll@stollprofcorp.com>, "pzarnett@bdrenergy.com"
<pzarnett@bdrenergy.com>
Good morning,
Please note below the information for the Virtual Public Forum related
to Matter 529 - NB Power Rate Design Application
The Virtual Public Forum will take place via Zoom videoconference on
June 1st, 2023, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.
It should also be noted that registered interveners are permitted to
observe the public forum but may not make a presentation. The public
forums are intended for those who have not registered as interveners
to make submissions about the application.
Zoom Videoconference information:
Virtual Public Forum - Matter 529 - NB Power Rate Design Application /
Forum Public Virtuel - Instance 529 - Énergie NB Demande
d'établissement des tarifs
Join Zoom Meeting via telephone:
855-703-8985 Canada Toll-free
Or
Join Zoom Meeting via web:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 873 3880 6224
Passcode: xxxxxxxxxxxx
Bonjour,
Veuillez noter ci-dessous l'information pour le forum public virtuel
relative à l'instance 529 - Énergie NB - Demande d'établissement des
tarifs
La session du forum public virtuel va se dérouler sur la plateforme
Zoom par vidéoconférence le 1er juin 2023, de 14 h à 16 h.
Il est aussi à noter que les intervenants inscrits sont autorisés à
observer le forum public, mais ne peuvent pas faire une présentation.
Les forums publics sont destinés à ceux qui ne se sont pas inscrits en
tant qu'intervenants pour faire des observations sur la demande.
Information sur la plateforme Zoom par vidéoconférence :
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Woman accused of killing horses says she wouldn't hurt an animal on purpose
14 dead horses found at a farm near Stanley in April
A woman charged in the deaths of 14 horses says she'd never intentionally hurt an animal.
Charlotte Bright, 76, appeared in Fredericton provincial court Wednesday, where she was scheduled to enter pleas and elect a mode of trial on three criminal charges related to an investigation that discovered 14 horses dead and five others in poor health at a farm near Stanley in April.
Bright did not enter pleas on the charges, and the matter was adjourned until Feb. 2, 2024.
The first indictable charge alleges Bright, of Currieburg Road, wilfully neglected or failed to provide suitable and adequate food, water, shelter and care for horses.
The second alleges Bright killed, maimed, wounded or injured horses, and the third charge alleges that she wilfully permitted to be caused unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to horses.
The offences are all alleged to have happened between Feb. 1 and April 8, 2023.
Possible penalties for each charge range from a fine of $10,000 to up to five years in prison, depending whether the prosecution proceeds by way of more serious indictable offences, or less serious summary ones, according to the Criminal Code.
Speaking outside the courthouse after her appearance, Bright said an animal locked in a stall "is completely at your mercy," which is why its needs must come before the owner's.
Charlotte
Bright, 76, is facing three criminal charges related to the 14 horses
found dead at a farm near Stanley, and another five that were found in
poor health. (Aidan Cox/CBC)
Asked what happened in the case of her own horses, Bright said she didn't want to speak to reporters before talking to her lawyer.
"I want people to understand that I would never intentionally ever harm an animal, because I was brought up that animals come first before humans, because they don't have a choice," she said.
The New Brunswick SPCA discovered the dead horses following an investigation at the farm in April.
Tony Porter, chief animal protection officer, said at the time that it was the largest number of dead horses discovered in the province's history.
"It's one thing to have one deceased animal, but when you have several, it's a major concern for us," Porter said.
The discovery of the dead horses also prompted discussion in the New Brunswick legislature, with Daniel Allain, then-minister responsible for animal protection, saying his government would consider making horse licensing mandatory.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I see the ex cop Tony Porter in the news again but he won't answer me WHY?
David Amos<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> | Fri, Oct 27, 2023 at 12:25 PM |
| To: HassanR@nbspca.ca, "Mark.Blakely" <Mark.Blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "martin.gaudet" <martin.gaudet@fredericton.ca>, rdoucett <rdoucett@nbpower.com>, John Furey <JohnFurey@fureylegal.com>, "Petrie, Jamie" <JPetrie@nbpower.com>, "Bobbi-Jean.MacKinnon" <Bobbi-Jean.MacKinnon@cbc.ca> | |
| Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, "Holland, Mike (LEG)" <mike.holland@gnb.ca>, "kris.austin" <kris.austin@gnb.ca>, "Mike.Comeau" <Mike.Comeau@gnb.ca> | |
Woman faces 3 charges in case of 14 dead horses in Stanley area, says NBSPCAAnimal welfare case involves largest number of dead horses in the province's history, protection officer saysA woman from the greater Stanley area is facing three criminal charges in connection with the discovery of 14 dead horses at a farm in April, says the New Brunswick SPCA. It was the largest number of dead horses in the province's history, the SPCA's chief animal protection officer, Tony Porter, told CBC at the time. An additional five adult horses in poor health were also discovered loose on the property and required medical care. The woman is scheduled to appear in Fredericton provincial court "early next month," according to a news release issued by the organization Thursday. The three charges she faces all relate to animal welfare, said Porter. They include injuring or endangering animals, cruelty to animals by causing unnecessary suffering, and causing damage or injury, he said. Possible penalties range from a fine to prisonUnder the Criminal Code, anyone who, "wilfully and without lawful excuse, kills, maims, wounds, poisons or injures dogs, birds or animals that are kept for a lawful purpose" commits an offence. Anyone who "wilfully causes or, being the owner, wilfully permits to be caused unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal or a bird" also commits an offence. And any owner or person who has custody or control of a domestic animal or a bird or an animal or a bird wild by nature that is in captivity, and "abandons it in distress or wilfully neglects or fails to provide suitable and adequate food, water, shelter and care for it" commits an offence. Possible penalties for each charge range from a fine of $10,000 to up to five years in prison, depending whether the prosecution proceeds by way of more serious indictable offences, or less serious summary ones, according to the code. Porter declined further comment. He previously described the investigation as very complex and expected it to take a few weeks. This was the first time the SPCA received a report concerning animal welfare at the undisclosed location, he had said. The causes of the horse deaths have not been released. The five ailing horses were put into foster care at the time. Other pets found on the property included at least one dog and a few cats, all healthy and being cared for daily, Porter had said. | |||||||||||||||
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David Amos<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> | Sun, Jul 23, 2023 at 5:37 PM |
| To: rdoucett@nbpower.com | |
| Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com> | |
Maritime Connection with Preston Mulligan, June 4, 2023: What are you doing to help others affected by the wildfires in our region? https://www.cbc.ca/listen/ https://www.cbc.ca/news/ Residents of Belleisle area grateful to volunteers who battled out-of-control wildfire Lessons learned, needed equipment identified after last week's fire Mia Urquhart · CBC News · Posted: Jun 05, 2023 7:00 AM ADT Aerial shot of a forest fire Capt. Mike Sherwood, of the Belleisle Valley Fire Department, used a drone to help follow a fast-moving fire last week and to help direct firefighters battling the blaze on the ground. (Submitted by BVFD) Around the same time a giant wildfire started near Saint Andrews on May 28, one began in the woods in the hills above Belleisle Bay, located roughly west of Hampton, north of Saint John. In both fires, a local fire department of volunteers answered the call. Both departments dealt with similar conditions — a fire in the woods being driven by very strong winds toward people's homes. When the call first came in around 1 p.m., Belleisle Valley Fire Department Capt. Mike Sherwood couldn't even see the smoke from across Belleisle Bay at his family's camp. Within hours, however, heavy smoke was driven into the area by very strong winds, said Sherwood, forcing some people to leave that area on the opposite side of the bay. A smiling man in a ball cap wearing firefighter gear and sunglasses. Sherwood said they've received so many inquiries about how to make donations to the volunteer fire department that they've set up a new email address for direct deposits. (Submitted by Mike Sherwood) Closer to the fire, homeowners were convinced it was right on top of them because of the way the smoke blew close to the ground and far out ahead of the fire. "The smoke was being carried so far, so fast, that people thought the fire was in their backyard, when in fact it was still roughly three-quarters of a kilometre from many homes along the bay, up on top of the hill," said Sherwood. WATCH | Drone gets close look to help officials fight fire: Fire department flies drone to assess forest fire with no water bombers available Duration 0:47 The Belleisle Valley Fire Department says it was granted special permission to fly drone over fire to help craft a plan of attack. The close call was enough for residents to want to express their gratitude for the volunteers who answer the calls in the community. In a post on the community's social media page, Sherwood said they've received so many inquiries about how to make donations to the department that they've set up a new email address for direct deposits to the department. He also said he's hoping to use those funds to buy a drone for the fire department since "more and more the DNR [Department of Natural Resources] is relying on local departments to fight the fires." It was his personal drone that he used, and it sustained some damage because of the heat. He said he'd like to buy a drone equipped with thermal imaging, which means it wouldn't have to fly as close to identify hot spots. An arial shot of a number of cars on a dirt road, surrounded by charred black forest. The fire began after strong winds pushed trees into power lines, causing the power to arc to the ground and catch fire. (Submitted by BVFD) He said the information provided by the drone was invaluable in directing firefighters and resources in the fire zone. Sherwood said he was given clearance and approval by the Department of Natural Resources and Energy to use the drone to create a plan of attack because they weren't able to acquire any water bombers — otherwise, it's illegal to fly a drone in the area of a forest or wildfire. With the help of the drone, Sherwood said they were "able to direct the crews who were lugging 500 feet of hose through the woods from the truck that was actually pumping the water." The drone was able to direct those on the ground to the easiest route through the woods. "On the ground, there could be a roadway 10 feet away from you, and you'd never see it. That drone gave us a birds-eye view and allowed us to fight that fire a lot easier." Provincial resources during wildfires The Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development "does not offer direct financial support, the department provides training to fire departments on an annual basis," according to the department when asked about funding for volunteer departments. In an email, a spokesperson said expenses are covered when "assistance is required" from fire departments. The message said the department can also "provide trained wildland firefighters as well as logistical, operation and planning resources" and aerial support. "Emergency Measures Organization provides logistics related to evacuations and community support. We also would like to mention others agencies including the forest industry, N.B. Power, the Red Cross and all other groups who help provide assistance during these times." From clear skies to thick smoke When Sherwood reached the fire department to gear up on the afternoon of May 28, the response was "pretty sparse," he said, which isn't unusual for a Sunday afternoon. Later that day, though, as smoke and word about the fire spread, they had 29 firefighters on the scene. They also had help from Norton and Wickham fire departments. Sherwood said the fire started on Valley Road when a tree rubbed on the power lines because of the strong winds and resulted in "arcing" to the ground. "By the time we headed out with the trucks, it was obvious that we had something big going on," said Sherwood. Valley Road is located over the hill from Belleisle Bay, upriver from the ferry on the Kars side. Heavy winds pushed the smoke over the hill and across the bay to the southeast. The fire itself burned in that direction for about three kilometres, toward homes and cottages along the bay. But unlike the Stein Lake fire in Chamcook, a twist of fate and wind direction helped prevent disaster in Belleisle. A drone shot of a forest fire. The fire started around 1 p.m. on May 28 on Valley Road in Kars, and strong winds blew it over the hill toward Belleisle Bay. (Submitted by BVFD) "In most cases you can say it always could have been worse, but Mother Nature helped us out in this one for sure," said Sherwood. The winds turned about 180 degrees and drove the fire back along the same path it had already burned. That, said Sherwood, is what prevented the situation from being a disaster. Without it being driven by the winds, firefighters were able to stop the fire from advancing further toward the bay and the structures along its shores. Sherwood estimates the fire came to within three-quarters of a kilometre of the nearest home. He said no homes were officially evacuated, although the residents of the house that was considered closest to the fire's path had packed a few things and left — with four family members joining the fire department's efforts to fight the blaze. Having gotten lucky by the change of wind direction, Sherwood said the fire, although out of control, wasn't deemed serious enough to warrant diverting water bombers from the fire in the Saint Andrews area, which started around the same time. Eventually the fire was brought under control, but it still wasn't declared officially "out" by Sunday night. A grateful community responds Like the firefighters who worked around the clock to battle the out-of-control forest fire in Chamcook and Bocabec, the efforts of the Belleisle Valley Fire Department were immediately on the minds of Belleisle-area residents. Sherwood said the local food truck cooked up 50 hamburgers while an across-the-road-neighbour from the fire station made 50 hotdogs. Sherwood said they often receive donations from those who have been helped by the department. It's often used to buy new equipment or water for the firefighters, which can be significant. An aerial shot of a forest fire and lots of smoke. The fire tore through the woods toward houses and cottages on the Kars side of Belleisle Bay before the winds turned 180 degrees and pushed it back along its original path. (Submmited by BVFD) "I have no idea how much water we drank that day, but it was in the hundreds of gallons. That all has to come from somewhere and that's typically what the donations are for." The severity of this fire, however, seems to have hit residents close to home and the appreciation seems to be "deeper," said Sherwood. "There was a lot of uncertainty with the way the wind was blowing because if you were running through the woods, I don't think you could have kept ahead of that fire," he said. "Things were happening and changing that fast and that fluidly. So yes, people were scared and I think they're very appreciative that we were able to deal with that situation and stop it." Lightening the load Sherwood also hopes to buy forestry hoses for the department with any extra money donated by residents. Forestry hoses are smaller and lighter than regular hoses and make trekking through heavy terrain far from the trucks a lot easier on firefighters. "That firefighter is going to last four or five times longer before he's completely and utterly exhausted," said Sherwood "It's just like carrying a garden hose versus carrying about 50 pounds of rubber-wrapped firefighting hose." With the way the climate is changing, Sherwood anticipates that fire departments will be dealing with more forest fires in the future. "And the better equipped we are to deal with it, the faster that's going to be put out." ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mia Urquhart Mia Urquhart is a journalist with CBC New Brunswick, based in Saint John. She can be reached at mia.urquhart@cbc.ca. CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices 11 Comments David Amos Tune into the 25 minute mark of Maritime Connection with Preston Mulligan, June 4, 2023: What are you doing to help others affected by the wildfires in our region? Corrie Weatherfield From caption under picture . . . "strong winds pushed trees into power lines" . . . gotta love the careful maintenance work of the outfit that looks after those power lines David Amos Reply to Corrie Weatherfield Now you know why I called https://www.cbc.ca/news/ Softwood timber royalties in New Brunswick at decade low after system overhaul Woodlot owners worry royalty reforms mostly benefited industry Robert Jones · CBC News · Posted: Jul 19, 2023 6:00 AM ADT Eight bundles of cut wood lying horizontally in front of six vertical stacks of cut wood Sawmills in New Brunswick posted record incomes in 2021 and 2022 as lumber prices surged. The province held off on raising timber royalties it charges companies until late 2022, when,the bonanza was mostly over. (Nicolas Steinbach/Radio-Canada) Softwood lumber prices in North America this summer have been hovering at levels up to 50 per cent higher than they were eight and nine years ago. But under a complex new timber royalty system set up this year by the New Brunswick government, forestry companies are paying lower royalties now for wood the lumber is made from than they did back then. That is generating concern the new royalties are designed to benefit industry and will undercut what private sellers of wood will be able to charge mills this year for what they sell. "I don't think anybody's feeling overly positive as to where we've landed at this point," said Rick Doucett, the president of the New Brunswick Federation of Woodlot Owners about the new royalty system. The province moved to overhaul timber royalties this year after acknowledging its former policy of charging forestry companies a flat rate for wood cut in public forests had failed to take advantage of a two-year explosion in international lumber prices. Rick Doucett poses for a photo Rick Doucett, president of the New Brunswick Federation of Woodlot Owners, says he had high hopes for a new timber royalty system but has been disappointed by the result. (CBC) "When a new normal is established, you know, our systems must reflect that," Mike Holland, the natural resources minister, said in May 2022 about the need for changes. The new royalty system Holland's department created is two-tiered with a base rate paid on timber cut in public forests and a secondary floating rate that rises and falls monthly with the prices of various wood-based commodities. "Over-performing markets equals higher royalties, under-performing markets equals lower royalties," the province has explained in various presentations about the new system around the province. Pile of cut square lumber The new royalty system in New Brunswick is designed to rise and fall with markets like those for lumber. (Michel Nogue/Radio-Canada) Independent woodlot owners have long supported royalties that are tied in some way to markets, but there is worry the province has set its base rates too low and placed restrictions on the floating rate that will end up with forestry companies paying lower royalties than they used to, not more, as originally expected. Doucett said that in early meetings with the province he was expecting much higher charges to be levied than what he thinks the new system can produce. "It feels like we discussed sort of a ham dinner.and now we're being presented with a bone that has been cleaned by the vultures," said Doucett. About 60 per cent of the wood cut by companies in public forests in New Brunswick ends up as softwood lumber of some kind. About one million cubic metres of spruce, fir and jack pine saw logs are taken from Crown land annually. Last year the royalty rate on those was raised for the first time in eight years to $40.60 per cubic metre. Under this year's new system the base royalty rate for those logs has been dropped almost in half, to $21.83 per cubic metre. Although a floating royalty rate is then added to that amount, it starts out at 75 cents and doesn't increase until lumber prices rise above $637 per 1,000 board feet. That's significantly below levies charged on softwood saw logs in New Brunswick in the past. In the 2015 fiscal year, with softwood lumber prices averaging $471 per 1,000 board feet, royalties on softwood logs in New Brunswick were set at $31.09. That's a 37.6 per cent higher royalty than would be charged under New Brunswick's new system at similar lumber prices. Surging lumber prices generate better prices for New Brunswick trees — in Maine New Brunswick forest companies using publicly owned trees to face higher charges To reach a royalty rate equal to what was charged back in 2015, ($31.09 per cubic metre), lumber prices now have to reach $780 per 1,000 board feet, nearly two-thirds more than lumber prices in 2015. To reach the even higher royalty rate of $40.60 set on softwood saw logs last year, lumber prices now have to exceed $925 per 1,000 board feet. However, since the new system went into effect on April 1, lumber prices have been nowhere near those levels, averaging closer to $640. Kim Jensen is general manager of the Carleton-Victoria Forest Products Marketing Board in Florenceville and worries lower-than-traditional royalties means prices her members can charge mills for wood will suffer accordingly. "If they're getting Crown wood at a lower price, then they are not going to pay a higher price for private wood, that's for sure," said Jensen. Dustin Jalbert is a senior economist with the online commodity-price reporting service fastmarkets.com. He said a number of factors can change the outlook, but he expects with no major surprises softwood lumber prices will settle somewhere below $750 per 1,000 board feet for the next few months. "Yeah, that's probably what we would call it," Jalbertsaid in an interview Tuesday. Dustin Jalbert poses for a photo Wood product analyst and economist Dustin Jalbert said he expects softwood lumber prices to stay close to current levels for the next few months. (Submitted by Dustin Jalbert) That's higher than historical lumber prices but not high enough to keep royalty amounts in New Brunswick from falling below historical levels. Another wrinkle in the floating royalty rate is that it is capped at 100 per cent of the base royalty. That means no matter how high softwood lumber prices go, total royalties paid by companies cannot exceed $43.66 per cubic metre. That limit happens when lumber prices reach $974 per 1,000 board feet even though during the two-year record escalation of lumber prices amounts regularly exceeded $1,000 and in May, 2021 exceeded $2,000. Doucett said a cap on how high royalties can go during surging lumber markets was not discussed at any meeting he attended, and he questions why the province would limit revenue to itself if there is another lumber price explosion. "That's ridiculous," said Doucett. "If you're selling lumber at $2,000 a thousand board feet, you're making lots of money. Wouldn't the government be getting a little more money out of that?" A softwood forestNew Brunswick saw, pulp and other mills consume 9 million cubic metres of wood annually. Most of it is softwood and over half of that comes from publicly owned forests that companies pay royalties to the province to cut. (Radio-Canada) In a briefing to discuss the new system officials with the Department of Natural Resources said a maximum on royalties was set because a minimum was also established. The department also made the point independent woodlot owners will benefit from the new system because revenue from the floating royalty will be spent exclusively on services for that group. In an email it also cautioned against comparisons of the old and new royalty systems and said while royalty rates on softwood may be lower, royalties on some hardwoods are up. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Robert Jones Reporter Robert Jones has been a reporter and producer with CBC New Brunswick since 1990. His investigative reports on petroleum pricing in New Brunswick won several regional and national awards and led to the adoption of price regulation in 2006. CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices 72 Comments David Amos Content Deactivated Surprise Surprise Surprise Jos Allaire Higgs, call an election NOW! David Amos Content Deactivated Reply to Jos Allaire Dream on Brent Thompson The price the province is charging for the right to harvest timber on crown land is the average price private woodlot owners are selling the rights to harvest timber on their woodlots. The NB Forest Products Commission produces an annual survey that reports these sales and it's available online. This means private woodlot owner timber sales set the fair market value for crown timber. The new royalty system charges this average price as a minimum price and the province normally collects over $60 million of revenue annually from it. Out of this revenue the province uses about $20 million to fund silviculture (growing new trees) on crown land, and also $5 million/year to fund silviculture on private woodlots through programs administered through the marketing boards. Additionally, under the new system, as market prices rise for forest products produced from harvested trees, like lumber for example, there is a surcharge added to crown royalty all of which will be spent on private woodlot silviculture. This new royalty system not only ensures the province receives fair market value for crown trees it also provides significant additional money for private woodlot owners to manage and grow wood on their properties. There is no bad story in this, it's all a good news story, if one is looking for the truth in it. In my view the only bad story is how poorly this good news story is being communicated. Don Corey Content Deactivated Reply to Brent Thompson There will be no "good news" on this site for any story involving the Higgs' government. Thanks for providing some enlightenment on the approach used to determine fair market value. David Amos Content Deactivated Reply to Brent Thompson Surely you jest David Amos Content Deactivated Reply to Don Corey Welcome back to the circus "I'm retired. No, I didn't work for Irving, or DNR, but I do know what I'm talking about." Me too Rick Doucett, Chaimn, Certijication Board NBFTA, 35 Spence Dr., Nmonworth, N.B., E3C lM2. TeL 450-0308 (H), 458-6842 (W), e-mail- rdoucett@nbpower.com | |
David Amos<david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> | Wed, Jul 19, 2023 at 8:04 PM | ||||||||||||
| To: HassanR@nbspca.ca | |||||||||||||
| Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, "Holland, Mike (LEG)" <mike.holland@gnb.ca>, "kris.austin" <kris.austin@gnb.ca> | |||||||||||||
On 7/18/23, David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail. I called the NBSPCA AGAIN CORRECT Mr Hassan???
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