**** CNS Media Release
Higher Potential Fines for Nova Scotia Power
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Amendments to the Public Utilities Act introduced today, March 22, will hold Nova Scotia Power more accountable for service delivery by increasing potential fines related to power outages and other performance standards.
“Nova Scotia ratepayers deserve reliable electricity and better service, so we are linking Nova Scotia Power’s profits to their performance,” said Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables. “We’re increasing the maximum potential penalty for things like power outages and reliability. This will make the utility more accountable and motivate better service delivery.”
Changes to the act will increase the total amount in administrative penalties that can be levied against Nova Scotia Power in a year to $25 million, up from $1 million. Nova Scotia Power will pay any fines from its profits – ratepayers will not pay for these penalties.
The proceeds from some penalties will go into a new fund to compensate customers who are most affected by the outages. The details of the new fund and how it will be managed will be outlined in future regulations.
Quick Facts:
— from 2017 to 2021, Nova Scotians saw an average of 5.5 outages per year; an average of 3.4 were caused by storms
— the Department is working on regulations to create new performance standards and penalties
— penalty amounts may be specified in regulations or determined by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board
Additional Resources:
Bills tabled in the legislature are available at: https://nslegislature.ca/legislative-business/bills-statutes/bills/assembly-64-session-1
Public Utilities Act: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/public%20utilities.pdf
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Electricity Act Amendments Allow More Energy Storage Solutions
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Amendments to the Electricity Act introduced today, March 22, will open the door for more storage solutions for renewable electricity.
“We need to accelerate the use of battery storage in Nova Scotia to help us get off coal and meet our renewable electricity targets,” said Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables. “These amendments encourage innovation and early adoption of battery technology in the province.”
Changes to the act will allow the Department to issue requests for proposals for energy storage solutions, like large-scale batteries. Currently, only Nova Scotia Power is permitted to own such storage methods.
Other amendments will allow the Department to issue contracts for well-developed, innovative energy storage projects that can be implemented quickly. These projects will also help identify the best ways for using energy storage in Nova Scotia.
The amendments support the addition of more renewables to the electricity system while reducing costs for ratepayers.
Quick Facts:
— Nova Scotia’s climate change goals include getting off coal and producing 80 per cent of electricity from renewables by 2030
— getting off coal requires adequate energy storage technology to balance electricity generation and demand
— future procurements will consider all types of renewable energy storage
Additional Resources:
Bills tabled in the legislature are available at: https://nslegislature.ca/legislative-business/bills-statutes/bills/assembly-64-session-1
Electricity Act: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/electricity.pdf
