Nova Scotia Power has filed an application that would see power rates rise 1.5% a year for residential customers in each of the next three years, if approved by the Utility and Review Board (UARB). The increases are related to rising fuel costs and purchases of imported power. Commercial and industrial class customers will see […]
If a tree in the Public Gardens could talk, what would it say? Text it and find out
Morning File, Wednesday, July 3, 2019
News 1. Media victory in Assoun case “Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice James Chipman has indicated that he will grant a media request to gain access to sealed court documents in the Glen Assoun case,” Tim Bousquet wrote yesterday. Click here for all the details (Tim is updating the story this morning.) Tim’s worked a […]
EfficiencyOne loses battle with Nova Scotia Power for more spending on energy efficiency
EfficiencyOne has lost a battle with Nova Scotia Power to spend more of ratepayers’ money on energy conservation programs. Nova Scotia’s EfficiencyOne (E1) utility is the country’s first dedicated to helping people and businesses use less energy. E1’s budget is provided by NS Power. Until 2010, the Public Utilities Act required Nova Scotia Power “to...
Is the SaltWire Network serious about its lawsuit against Transcontinental?
Morning File, Tuesday, June 4, 2019
1. Is the SaltWire Network serious about its lawsuit against Transcontinental? Remember that lawsuit the SaltWire Network filed against Transcontinental Media? It was kind of a big deal. I read the Statement of Claim SaltWire had filed with the court on April 10, and commented: The lawsuit hasn’t been tested in court, so we’ll see […]
We’re buying Nova Scotia Power a new $1.6 million roof for its seven-year-old building
Morning File, Wednesday, April 3, 2019
News 1. Zach Churchill “Former Education Minister Ramona Jennex remembers the exact date of the “altercation” — April 13, 2012,” reports Jean Laroche for the CBC: In an email to Speaker Kevin Murphy, which she shared with CBC after a reporter requested it, the former New Democratic Party MLA for Kings South claims Zach Churchill, the Liberal MLA for […]
Despite warnings that burning biomass does not address climate change, Nova Scotia Power burned more biomass in 2018 than in 2017
Citizens concerned about the amount of wood harvested (mostly clearcut) to be used as biomass aren’t going to be happy with the numbers contained in the 2018 Fuel Adjustment Mechanism (FAM) report filed last month with the regulator. When used for generating electricity, the efficiency of biomass is only 21-23% efficient. Last year, the biomass […]
Burned: Are Trees the New Coal?
A review of the new film that illuminates Nova Scotia's failed biomass policies
In the opening scene of the documentary Burned: Are Trees the New Coal?, Jeff Turner patrols the dark, tannin-stained waters of the Blackwater and Nottoway River system in Southampton County, Virginia. He’s a “river keeper” and has been doing this for nearly two decades, keeping an eye on threats to the health of the rivers […]
There is nothing self-deprecating or ironic or even remotely funny about this boring headline
Morning File, Thursday, September 20, 2018
News 1. Maurice Pratt Yesterday, Justice James Chipman dismissed Maurice Pratt’s habeas corpus application. Pratt was the first of at least eight prisoners at the Burnside jail to have their habeas applications heard by Chipman. (The others are scheduled for Monday, but I’m hearing there may be a delay.) The prisoners filed their applications in […]
Regulator gets final submissions on Nova Scotia Power’s “smart meter” plan
Consumer advocates say the utility hasn’t presented enough solid evidence to prove that installing digital meters to measure electricity usage won’t cost ratepayers more than it should.
Before the Utility and Review Board (UARB) approves Nova Scotia Power’s (NSP) plan to install “smart” meters across the province, both the Consumer Advocate and the Small Business Advocate feel the utility needs to smarten up its proposal. They say NSP hasn’t presented enough solid evidence to prove that installing digital meters to measure electricity...