Electricity System More Accountable to Nova Scotians

The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board now has the authority to impose financial penalties on Nova Scotia Power for not meeting customer service standards.

Government proclaimed this last section of the Electricity Plan Implementation Act today, Nov. 16, as the board continues with the process of setting performance standards.

In 2015, Nova Scotia's electricity plan introduced performance standards for service reliability and storm response, and customer service.

"Nova Scotians told us they want Nova Scotia Power to be held more accountable and that they want the electricity system to work better for them," said Minister of Energy Michel Samson. "That's why performance standards were a cornerstone of our electricity plan and why we made sure penalties will be paid by Nova Scotia Power shareholders, not ratepayers."

Nova Scotia Power could face penalties of up to $1 million annually if it does not meet performance standards when they are in place. The penalty provision for reliability and storm response standards is already in force.

Predictable and stable power rates, and bringing innovation and competition into the electrical system are other commitments of Nova Scotia's electricity plan, Our Electricity Future.

Rates did not change for most Nova Scotians in 2015 and they went down in 2016. For the first time ever Nova Scotians will have stable rates, well under the rate of inflation, for the next three years. This has been achieved while Nova Scotia takes aggressive action on climate change.