N.S. private utility faces public criticism over planned electricity rate increases

Nova Scotia Power has proposed residential electricity rate increases of about eight per cent while public hearings are underway, and critics say trust is low after an April cybersecurity breach that may have affected about 550,000 customers.

Nova Scotia Power has asked the provincial energy board to approve residential rate increases totalling about eight per cent. Public hearings on the proposal opened this week. Opposition parties and an affordable energy coalition told the board the company is not in a position to request higher bills. They cited stagnant household incomes, reliability concerns, and lingering fallout from a cybersecurity breach in April. Key points: - The utility proposed roughly 8% in residential rate increases, with an initial 3.8% increase effective retroactive to Jan. 1 and a second 4.1% increase slated for Jan. 1, 2027. - Nova Scotia Power reported a cybersecurity breach in April that it says may have affected about 550,000 customers, and the company has said a Russia-based actor is likely behind the attack. - Opposition NDP Leader Claudia Chender and advocacy groups said customers reported billing problems after the breach and that public trust in the company is low. - Nova Scotia Power says the revenue would fund a $1.3-billion plan to strengthen the grid, expand tree-trimming and vegetation management, and improve storm response, and the company says it is working to restore services and rebuild trust. Summary: The proposals have prompted public pushback focused on affordability and trust, while the company frames the plan as funding for reliability investments. Undetermined at this time.