Rate Design Filing Process - (Service on Parties in Matter 529)
From: John Furey <JohnFurey@fureylegal.com>
Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Subject: Rate Design Filing Process - (Service on Parties in Matter 529)
To: Melissa Curran <Melissa.Curran@nbeub.ca>, ceo@fermenbfarm.ca <ceo@fermenbfarm.ca>, louis-philippe.gauthier@cfib.ca <louis-philippe.gauthier@cfib.ca>, frederic.gionet@cfib.ca <frederic.gionet@cfib.ca>, Ron.marcolin@cme-mec.ca <Ron.marcolin@cme-mec.ca>, David.Raymond.Amos333@gmail.com <David.Raymond.Amos333@gmail.com>, david.sollows@gnb.ca <david.sollows@gnb.ca>, hanrahan.dion@jdirving.com <hanrahan.dion@jdirving.com>, nrubin@stewartmckelvey.com <nrubin@stewartmckelvey.com>, coneil@stewartmckelvey.com <coneil@stewartmckelvey.com>, lmclements@stewartmckelvey.com <lmclements@stewartmckelvey.com>, pbowman@bowmaneconomics.ca <pbowman@bowmaneconomics.ca>, brudderham@stewartmckelvey.com <brudderham@stewartmckelvey.com>, jpetrie@nbpower.com <jpetrie@nbpower.com>, NBPRegulatory@nbpower.com <NBPRegulatory@nbpower.com>, lgordon@nbpower.com <lgordon@nbpower.com>, SWaycott@nbpower.com <SWaycott@nbpower.com>, George.Porter@nbpower.com <George.Porter@nbpower.com>, kevgibson@nbpower.com <kevgibson@nbpower.com>, Veronique Otis <Veronique.Otis@nbeub.ca>, Young, Dave <Dave.Young@nbeub.ca>, Aherrington@lawsoncreamer.com <Aherrington@lawsoncreamer.com>, Mitchell, Kathleen <Kathleen.Mitchell@nbeub.ca>, NBEUB/CESPNB <General@nbeub.ca>, Susan Colwell <Susan.Colwell@nbeub.ca>, bhavumaki@synapse-energy.com <bhavumaki@synapse-energy.com>, mwhited@synapse-energy.com <mwhited@synapse-energy.com>, prhodes@synapse-energy.com <prhodes@synapse-energy.com>, alawton@synapse-energy.com <alawton@synapse-energy.com>, jwilson@resourceinsight.com <jwilson@resourceinsight.com>, pchernick@resourceinsight.com <pchernick@resourceinsight.com>, alain.chiasson2@gnb.ca <alain.chiasson2@gnb.ca>, rdk@indecon.com <rdk@indecon.com>, tammy.grieve@mcinnescooper.com <tammy.grieve@mcinnescooper.com>, paul.black@twinriverspaper.com <paul.black@twinriverspaper.com>, Hoyt, Len <len.hoyt@mcinnescooper.com>, tyler.rajeski@twinriverspaper.com <tyler.rajeski@twinriverspaper.com>, darcy.ouellette@twinriverspaper.com <darcy.ouellette@twinriverspaper.com>, dan.murphy@umnb.ca <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 <dan.dionne@perth-andover.com>, pierreroy@edmundston.ca <pierreroy@edmundston.ca>, ryan.mitchell@sjenergy.com <ryan.mitchell@sjenergy.com>, sstoll@stollprofcorp.com <sstoll@stollprofcorp.com>, pzarnett@bdrenergy.com <pzarnett@bdrenergy.com>, rburgoyne@coxandpalmer.com <rburgoyne@coxandpalmer.com>
Dear Ms. Curran,
Please find attached correspondence on behalf of New Brunswick Power Corporation with respect to the Rate Design filing process.
As noted in the correspondence, NB Power is serving a copy upon all parties to Matter 529, and I am using the distribution list utilized by the Board to do so.
A few moments ago, I similarly served a copy on all parties to Matter 554, using the distribution list in that Matter.
Regards,
John
John G. Furey
Barrister & Solicitor
John G. Furey Professional Corporation
265 Berkley Drive
New Maryland, NB
E3C 1B9
Email: JohnFurey@fureylegal.com
Phone: 506-444-1328
Fax: 506-300-2076
---------- Original message ---------
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Subject: Re: Rate Design Filing Process - (Service on Parties in Matter 529)
To: John Furey <JohnFurey@fureylegal.com>
Cc: Melissa Curran <Melissa.Curran@nbeub.ca>, ceo@fermenbfarm.ca <ceo@fermenbfarm.ca>, louis-philippe.gauthier@cfib.ca <louis-philippe.gauthier@cfib.ca>, frederic.gionet@cfib.ca <frederic.gionet@cfib.ca>, Ron.marcolin@cme-mec.ca <Ron.marcolin@cme-mec.ca>, david.sollows@gnb.ca <david.sollows@gnb.ca>, hanrahan.dion@jdirving.com <hanrahan.dion@jdirving.com>, nrubin@stewartmckelvey.com <nrubin@stewartmckelvey.com>, coneil@stewartmckelvey.com <coneil@stewartmckelvey.com>, lmclements@stewartmckelvey.com <lmclements@stewartmckelvey.com>, pbowman@bowmaneconomics.ca <pbowman@bowmaneconomics.ca>, brudderham@stewartmckelvey.com <brudderham@stewartmckelvey.com>, jpetrie@nbpower.com <jpetrie@nbpower.com>, NBPRegulatory@nbpower.com <NBPRegulatory@nbpower.com>, lgordon@nbpower.com <lgordon@nbpower.com>, SWaycott@nbpower.com <SWaycott@nbpower.com>, George.Porter@nbpower.com <George.Porter@nbpower.com>, kevgibson@nbpower.com <kevgibson@nbpower.com>, Veronique Otis <Veronique.Otis@nbeub.ca>, Young, Dave <Dave.Young@nbeub.ca>, Aherrington@lawsoncreamer.com <Aherrington@lawsoncreamer.com>, Mitchell, Kathleen <Kathleen.Mitchell@nbeub.ca>, NBEUB/CESPNB <General@nbeub.ca>, Susan Colwell <Susan.Colwell@nbeub.ca>, bhavumaki@synapse-energy.com <bhavumaki@synapse-energy.com>, mwhited@synapse-energy.com <mwhited@synapse-energy.com>, prhodes@synapse-energy.com <prhodes@synapse-energy.com>, alawton@synapse-energy.com <alawton@synapse-energy.com>, jwilson@resourceinsight.com <jwilson@resourceinsight.com>, pchernick@resourceinsight.com <pchernick@resourceinsight.com>, alain.chiasson2@gnb.ca <alain.chiasson2@gnb.ca>, rdk@indecon.com <rdk@indecon.com>, tammy.grieve@mcinnescooper.com <tammy.grieve@mcinnescooper.com>, paul.black@twinriverspaper.com <paul.black@twinriverspaper.com>, Hoyt, Len <len.hoyt@mcinnescooper.com>, tyler.rajeski@twinriverspaper.com <tyler.rajeski@twinriverspaper.com>, darcy.ouellette@twinriverspaper.com <darcy.ouellette@twinriverspaper.com>, dan.murphy@umnb.ca <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 <dan.dionne@perth-andover.com>, pierreroy@edmundston.ca <pierreroy@edmundston.ca>, ryan.mitchell@sjenergy.com <ryan.mitchell@sjenergy.com>, sstoll@stollprofcorp.com <sstoll@stollprofcorp.com>, pzarnett@bdrenergy.com <pzarnett@bdrenergy.com>, rburgoyne@coxandpalmer.com <rburgoyne@coxandpalmer.com>
---------- Original message ---------
Date: Fri, Dec 15, 2023 at 2:01 PM
Subject: Matter 554 - NB Power’s Class Cost Allocation Study (CCAS) Methodology
To: ceo@fermenbfarm.ca <ceo@fermenbfarm.ca>, louis-philippe.gauthier@cfib.
Good afternoon,
NB Power has filed its Evidence in Matter 554 Class Cost Allocation Study (CCAS) Methodology with the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board.
Please be advised that we have uploaded the following documents onto the NBEUB secure FTP site:
|
No |
Name / Nom |
Format |
|
01 |
Class Cost Allocation Study Methodology Evidence |
|
|
02 |
Méthodologie de l’étude de répartition des coûts par catégorie – Preuve |
|
|
03 |
Appendix A – Cost Allocation Study Methodology Options (prepared by E3) |
|
|
04 |
Appendix B – CCAS Generation Classification and Allocation Methodology Options (prepared by Elenchus) |
|
|
05 |
Appendix Ci – Current CCAS Methodology Description |
|
|
06 |
Annexe Cii – Description de la méthodologie de l’étude de répartition des coûts par catégorie |
|
|
07 |
Appendix D – NBP Cost Allocation Options REDACTED (prepared by E3) |
Excel |
|
08 |
Appendix E – 2023-24 CCAS Current Rate Classes – Decision Model |
Excel |
|
09 |
Appendix F – 2023-24 CCAS Current Rate Classes - Average and Peak (prepared by Elenchus) |
Excel |
|
10 |
Appendix G – 2023-24 CCAS Current Rate Classes – Average and Peak with TOU (prepared by Elenchus) |
Excel |
|
11 |
Appendix H – 2023-24 CCAS Current Rate Classes – Probability of Dispatch (prepared by Elenchus) |
Excel |
|
12 |
Appendix I – 2023-24 CCAS Current Rate Classes – Marginal Cost (prepared by Elenchus) |
Excel |
|
13 |
Appendix J – 2023-24 CCAS Seasonal Model Alternative #1 (prepared by Elenchus) REDACTED |
|
|
14 |
Appendix K – 2023-24 CCAS Seasonal Model Main Option (prepared by Elenchus) REDACTED |
|
|
15 |
Appendix L – 2023-24 CCAS New Rate Classes – Modified Decision Model (prepared by Elenchus) |
Excel |
|
16 |
Appendix M – 2023-24 CCAS New Rate Classes – Average and Peak (prepared by Elenchus) |
Excel |
|
17 |
Appendix N – 2023-24 CCAS New Rate Classes – Average and Peak with TOU (prepared by Elenchus) |
Excel |
|
18 |
Appendix O – 2023-24 CCAS New Rate Classes – Probability of Dispatch (prepared by Elenchus) |
Excel |
|
19 |
Appendix P – 2023/24 CCAS New Rate Classes – Marginal Cost (prepared by Elenchus) |
Excel |
|
20 |
Appendix Q – 2033-34 CCAS Current Rate Classes – Average and Peak (prepared by Elenchus) |
Excel |
|
21 |
Appendix R - 2033-34 CCAS Current Rate Classes – Average and Peak with TOU (prepared by Elenchus) |
Excel |
|
22 |
Appendix S - 2033/34 CCAS Current Rate Classes – Probability of Dispatch (prepared by Elenchus) |
Excel |
|
23 |
Appendix T – 2033/34 CCAS Current Rate Classes – Marginal Cost (prepared by Elenchus) |
Excel |
|
24 |
Appendix U – 2033/34 CCAS New Rate Classes – Average and Peak (prepared by Elenchus) |
Excel |
|
25 |
Appendix V – 2033/34 CCAS New Rate Classes – Average and Peak with TOU (prepared by Elenchus) |
Excel |
|
26 |
Appendix W – 2033/34 CCAS New Rate Classes – Probability of Dispatch (prepared by Elenchus) |
Excel |
|
27 |
Appendix X – 2033/34 CCAS New Rate Classes – Marginal Cost (prepared by Elenchus) |
Excel |
|
28 |
Appendix Y – CV Zachary Ming |
|
|
29 |
Appendix Z – Expert Witness Acknowledgement Form – Zachary Ming |
|
To access the documents please visit the following site using the log-in information provided below:
https://dtfiledrop.cirrus9.
Account: Intervener4
Password: z)J]T3.DZG
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to respond to this email.
Thank you,
|
|
Laura Gordon (She/Her) Analyst II, Corporate Regulatory Affairs| Analyste II, affaires réglementaires d’entreprise T: 506.458.4959 C: 506.429.8556 |
This e-mail communication (including any or all attachments) is intended only for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, any use, review, retransmission, distribution, dissemination, copying, printing, or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon this e-mail, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please contact the sender and delete the original and any copy of this e-mail and any printout thereof, immediately. Your co-operation is appreciated.
Le présent courriel (y compris toute pièce jointe) s'adresse uniquement à son destinataire, qu'il soit une personne ou un organisme, et pourrait comporter des renseignements privilégiés ou confidentiels. Si vous n'êtes pas le destinataire du courriel, il est interdit d'utiliser, de revoir, de retransmettre, de distribuer, de disséminer, de copier ou d'imprimer ce courriel, d'agir en vous y fiant ou de vous en servir de toute autre façon. Si vous avez reçu le présent courriel par erreur, prière de communiquer avec l'expéditeur et d'éliminer l'original du courriel, ainsi que toute copie électronique ou imprimée de celui-ci, immédiatement. Nous sommes reconnaissants de votre collaboration.
Dear Ms. Curran,
Please find attached correspondence on behalf of New Brunswick Power Corporation with respect to the Rate Design filing process.
As noted in the correspondence, NB Power is serving a copy upon all parties to Matter 529, and I am using the distribution list utilized by the Board to do so.
A few moments ago, I similarly served a copy on all parties to Matter 554, using the distribution list in that Matter.
Regards,
John
John G. Furey
Barrister & Solicitor
John G. Furey Professional Corporation
265 Berkley Drive
New Maryland, NB
E3C 1B9
Email: JohnFurey@fureylegal.com
Phone: 506-444-1328
Fax: 506-300-2076
---------- Original message ---------
From: NBEUB/CESPNB <general@nbeub.ca>
Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Subject: Automatic reply: Rate Design Filing Process - (Service on Parties in Matter 529)
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
---------- Original message ---------
From: Mitchell, Kathleen <kmitchell@nbeub.ca>
Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Subject: Automatic reply: Rate Design Filing Process - (Service on Parties in Matter 529)
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
I am no longer working at the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board.
If you are filing any documents, please forward your filing to general@nbeub.ca.
If you are trying to reach the Chief Clerk, please contact Melissa Curran at melissa.curran@nbeub.ca
If you require assistance please dial 506-658-2504.
Thank you,
***
Je ne travaille plus à la Commission de l'énergie et des services publics du Nouveau-Brunswick.
Si vous déposez des documents, veuillez transmettre votre dépôt à general@nbeub.ca.
Si vous essayez de joindre le greffier en chef, veuillez contacter Melissa Curran à melissa.curran@nbeub.ca
Si vous avez besoin d'aide, veuillez composer le 506-658-2504.
Merci,
---------- Original message ---------
From: Burgoyne, Ryan (Fredericton) <rburgoyne@coxandpalmer.com>
Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Subject: Automatic reply: Rate Design Filing Process - (Service on Parties in Matter 529)
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
I am out of the office until June 6, 2025. If your matter is urgent, please contact Kerry Hunter (506) 453-9632.
---------- Original message ---------
From: Paul Rhodes <PRhodes@synapseenergyeconomics.onmicrosoft.com>
Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Subject: Automatic reply: Rate Design Filing Process - (Service on Parties in Matter 529)
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
---------- Original message ---------
From: Grieve, Tammy <tammy.grieve@mcinnescooper.com>
Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Subject: Automatic reply: [EXTERNAL] Re: Rate Design Filing Process - (Service on Parties in Matter 529)
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Notice This
communication, including any attachments, is confidential and may be
protected by solicitor/client privilege. It is intended only for the
person or persons to whom it is addressed. If you have received this
e-mail in error, please notify the sender by e-mail or telephone at
McInnes Cooper's expense.
Avis Les
informations contenues dans ce courriel, y compris toute(s) pièce(s)
jointe(s), sont confidentielles et peuvent faire l'objet d'un privilège
avocat-client. Les informations sont dirigées au(x) destinataire(s)
seulement. Si vous avez reçu ce courriel par erreur, veuillez en aviser
l'expéditeur par courriel ou par téléphone, aux frais de McInnes Cooper.
---------- Original message ---------
From: Hoyt, Len <len.hoyt@mcinnescooper.com>
Date: Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Subject: Automatic reply: [EXTERNAL] Re: Rate Design Filing Process - (Service on Parties in Matter 529)
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Notice This
communication, including any attachments, is confidential and may be
protected by solicitor/client privilege. It is intended only for the
person or persons to whom it is addressed. If you have received this
e-mail in error, please notify the sender by e-mail or telephone at
McInnes Cooper's expense.
Avis Les
informations contenues dans ce courriel, y compris toute(s) pièce(s)
jointe(s), sont confidentielles et peuvent faire l'objet d'un privilège
avocat-client. Les informations sont dirigées au(x) destinataire(s)
seulement. Si vous avez reçu ce courriel par erreur, veuillez en aviser
l'expéditeur par courriel ou par téléphone, aux frais de McInnes Cooper.
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Your message to paul.black@twinriverspaper.com has been blocked. See technical details below for more information.From: Minister of Finance / Ministre des Finances <minister-ministre@fin.gc.ca>
Date: Sat, May 24, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Subject: Automatic reply: "The public does not have a veto," "Comments and opinions will be taken into consideration.
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
---------- Original message ---------
Date: Sun, May 25, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Subject: Re: "The public does not have a veto," "Comments and opinions will be taken into consideration.
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Cc: Susan.Holt <Susan.Holt@gnb.ca>, Rene.Legacy <Rene.Legacy@gnb.ca>, Mitton, Megan (LEG) <megan.mitton@gnb.ca>, Glen.Savoie <Glen.Savoie@gnb.ca>, Tammy.Scott-Wallace <Tammy.Scott-Wallace@gnb.ca>, AlexandreCedric Doucet <AlexandreCedric.Doucet@gnb.ca>, Sam Johnston <Sam.Johnston@gnb.ca>, jacques.j.leblanc <Jacques.J.Leblanc@gnb.ca>, Marco.LeBlanc <Marco.LeBlanc@gnb.ca>, Ian Lee <Ian.Lee@gnb.ca>, Eric.Mallet <Eric.Mallet@gnb.ca>, Luc Robichaud <Luc.Robichaud@gnb.ca>, Natacha Vautour <Natacha.Vautour@gnb.ca>, Weir, Rob (LEG) <Rob.Weir@gnb.ca>, Lori <lclark@nbpower.com>, John Furey <JohnFurey@fureylegal.com>, David.Coon <David.Coon@gnb.ca>, Robert. Jones <Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>, fin.minfinance-financemin.fin <fin.minfinance-financemin.fin@canada.ca>, jennifer sweet <jennifer.sweet@cbc.ca>, JOHN HERRON <JOHN.HERRON@gnb.ca>, Don Monahan <Don.Monahan@gnb.ca>, Bill.Oliver <Bill.Oliver@gnb.ca>, Wayne.Long <Wayne.Long@parl.gc.ca>, Ginette.PetitpasTaylor <Ginette.PetitpasTaylor@parl.gc.ca>, eric beaulieu <eric.beaulieu@gnb.ca>
To: "Susan.Holt" <Susan.Holt@gnb.ca>, "Rene.Legacy" <Rene.Legacy@gnb.ca>, "Mitton, Megan (LEG)" <megan.mitton@gnb.ca>, "Glen.Savoie" <Glen.Savoie@gnb.ca>, "Tammy.Scott-Wallace" <Tammy.Scott-Wallace@gnb.ca>, "AlexandreCedric Doucet" <AlexandreCedric.Doucet@gnb.ca
Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2025 7:14:40 PM
Subject: "The public does not have a veto," "Comments and opinions will be taken into consideration.
Holt Liberals pick 3 leaders for N.B. Power review
Two former energy sector executives, information commissioner will make recommendations on utility's future
The Holt government has announced the names of the three people who will lead a major review into the future of N.B. Power.
Two energy sector veterans and a former legislative watchdog will oversee the process, which will include public consultations and which is expected to wrap up with recommendations by next March.
It's a thorny task that must reconcile the public appetite for affordable power rates with the utility's need to undertake multibillion-dollar power station projects while managing a debt that now exceeds $5 billion.
"I know enough about the people in New Brunswick to know the will and strength of spirit," said Duncan Hawthorne, a former CEO of Bruce Power in Ontario and one of the three review leaders. "We've just to line it up in the right place.
"And the way to do that is to talk about options and have people buy into those, because it cannot be achieved without support. … There's a number of things that people will have to do in every single household in New Brunswick to make this transition work."
Anne
Bertrand, who has sat on N.B. Power’s board and is one of the people
leading the review, says public expectations won't dictate the utility's
future. (CBC )
But Anne Bertrand, another review leader and a former provincial information and privacy commissioner who later sat on N.B. Power's board, said the recommendations will not be hostage to public opinion.
"The public does not have a veto," she told reporters.
"Comments and opinions will be taken into consideration, and are very important. We need to know what the expectations are. But the expectations can't dictate what the future of N.B. Power will be."
Michael Bernstein, the third appointee and a former CEO and investment fund manager in the energy sector, said the review team would point out the positives and negatives of each of its recommendations.
"Ultimately, it's up to the government and, really, New Brunswickers to decide what direction to take," he said.
Premier Susan Holt launched the review in the wake of a controversy over a perceived spike in the January power bills of some N.B. Power customers.
Michael
Bernstein, the third appointee and a former CEO and investment fund
manager in the energy sector, says the review team will point out the
positives and negatives of each of its recommendations. (CBC)
While that phenomenon has been explained by an independent audit, the utility has acknowledged it faces deeper, longer-term problems. These include the need for a multibillion dollar overhaul of the Mactaquac Dam, west of Fredericton, the utility's largest hydroelectric generating station.
The Point Lepreau nuclear plant in southern New Brunswick has also faced costly shutdowns, and the Belledune generating station in the north must be converted from coal burning to comply with federal climate policies.
Holt has not ruled out selling the utility, as a previous Liberal government tried to do in 2009, as one possible outcome of the review.
"We have not restricted the three leaders on discussing anything," Energy Minister René Legacy said Friday.
"If that's what New Brunswickers want to discuss, then we should have an open discussion about it, and put the subject to bed one way or another."
Meet the 3 people who will oversee the N.B. Power reviewHawthorne, who as CEO of Bruce Power oversaw one of the world's largest nuclear power sites, said the process will not be "a talking shop, where we will tell you what we're doing. We're really going to spend a fair amount of time listening to you."
Legacy said the review process would be covered by his department's budget, and the government committed to release more information soon about what the three review leaders will be paid.
Legacy said the review process would be covered by his department's budget.
Each of the three leaders will be paid a maximum of $172,000 plus HST as consultants, plus up to $20,000 for travel expenses.
The government is promising not only recommendations but a decision on those recommendations by March 31, 2026.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
N.B. Power report based on 'facts and evidence,' auditors tell MLAs
Authors of report on utility’s winter price spikes face 3 hours of questions from legislative committee
Auditors who examined an apparent winter spike in N.B. Power bills have persuaded one opposition party that meters are working properly — but another party still has doubts.
The two senior auditors from KPMG Canada spent almost three hours Thursday fielding questions from MLAs about their conclusions that the utility's residential meters accurately measured the electricity customers were consuming.
"Our work was focused on facts and evidence and data and analytics-based work. It was robust and it was thorough," said Andrea Coish, an auditor and managing partner of KPMG's Halifax office.
Jack Martin, a KPMG expert in forensic data analytics, told the public accounts committee that "there's no evidence that either conventional meters or smart meters were overstating the power consumption of New Brunswick Power residential customers."
They said it was up to N.B. Power to look at why some ratepayers were consuming more electricity than they believed.
The anecdotal evidence of unexplained spikes in January power bills put the Holt Liberal government on the defensive last winter, prompting it to call in KPMG.
N.B. Power auditors field questions from MLAs about bill spikesThe auditors examined 400 cases of bill spikes — enough to provide a statistically accurate picture of all customers, Martin said.
The report backed N.B. Power's initial explanation that a cold winter, a longer December billing period and a major rate increase — which may have passed unnoticed until winter — combined to jolt customers with high bills.
At least one Liberal MLA said he was convinced.
"We need to stick to the facts and the fact was, on the 400-plus meters, there was nothing wrong about that," Hautes-Terres-Nepisiguit Liberal MLA Luc Robichaud told reporters.
Hautes-Terres-Nepisiguit
Liberal MLA Luc Robichaud told reporters he's convinced N.B. Power's
explanation for higher power bills this past winter is accurate. (Silas Brown/CBC)
Green Party Leader David Coon, who had raised questions about the accuracy of some N.B. Power bills, said he was persuaded by the presentation.
"My view is that the report, after all the questioning, finds that the system is functioning properly for New Brunswickers in terms of making sure that the bills they're being given reflect their actual consumption," he said.
"I'm confident that's the case now."
But Progressive Conservative energy critic Kris Austin said he believes some New Brunswickers will remain unpersuaded because KPMG relied on meter data collected by N.B. Power's own meter testers.
"What we had called for was a review and a testing of the meters outside of N.B. Power's purview. That's what we wanted to see. That's what did not happen," he said.
N.B. Power CEO Lori Clark told the committee that the utility's testers, who are certified by a federal agency, Measurement Canada, would be risking their careers if they deliberately faked any numbers.
Progressive Conservative energy critic Kris Austin believes N.B. Power customers will not be persuaded by report results. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
"There's no incentive for a tester to producer fraudulent results. These are highly trained individuals who would lose their certification and their jobs if they didn't measure properly," she said.
Austin told reporters it was his job as an MLA to reflect public skepticism at the committee, even after three hours of expert testimony.
"It's not my place to tell ratepayers the meters are working properly. My personal opinion — I have no reason to believe they're not," he told reporters.
"It's not whether I'm satisfied. It's whether ratepayers are satisfied, and what I'm hearing from many ratepayers is they're not satisfied."
Clark told the committee that Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador all experienced a public backlash to similar bill spikes during the winter — and authorities in all three provinces came to the same conclusions as N.B. Power.
Clark acknowledged to the MLAs that it has been a struggle for N.B. Power to convince some customers that they're consuming more electricity than they believe.
The utility plans to provide more information to ratepayers, including about how their habits and the weather may affect their bills.
"We have recognized through this process that a lot of our customers do not understand how they are using electricity and they know very little about how consumption is measured and how much they're using in their homes. So there is an education requirement, for sure."
Clark told MLAs that N.B. Power needs their help to push back at what she called misinformation and misperceptions circulating online, particularly on social media.
"I understand the perception and I hope we've been able to demonstrate to you, and to New Brunswickers, that the perception isn't reality."
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