Power Rate Hikes

Delusion one: wind turbines were going to lower our power rates

Delusion two: wind turbines on Digby Neck are going to supply power to Digby Neckers and that power will never be "down"

Delusion three: wind power is an effective method of reducing greenhouse gases and climate change

Delusion four: that the turbines would be hidden from view

Delusion five: that Digby Neck, on the migratory bird flyway, will not sustain damage and loss to its precious wildlife

Delusion six: that tourists from other countries who have learned that wind turbines do not reduce the use of fossil fuels will find our turbines attractive, when they have come here to see a pristine area free from these things

NS: UARB gives NSPI increase
By Peter Clarke, Transcontinental Media

Source: The Daily Business Buzz - December 8, 2010

[HALIFAX, NS] - The Utility and Review Board has given Nova Scotia Power its rate increase.

For the immediate future, commercial customers will be charged over six per cent more on average on their rates in 2011 and industrial customers will see their rates rise by nearly seven per cent on average. However, after the 2011 hikes, additional increases will be spread out over three years.

The 2011 increase will cover 5o per cent of the total increases with 2012 and 2013 seeing 30 per cent and 20 per cent respectively. This would mean that there would be two smaller increases in the coming years to make up the difference, but those figures are yet to be determined according to David Rodenhiser, spokesperson for Nova Scotia Power.

“We’re pleased that the board accepted all fuel costs as submitted,” he said.

Fuel costs are recalculated each year under the fuel adjustment mechanism (FAM) and there are various other operational costs that are subject to change over the next three years that could alter upcoming rate hikes.

2011 rate increase percentages by class:
Total Commercial: 6.19
Small General: 4.55
General Demand: 6.52
Large General: 5.15
Total Industrial: 6.97
Small Industrial: 5.60
Medium Industrial: 6.02
Large Industrial: 7.27

Total Residential: 5.66