Premier Tim Houston is calling for a formal investigation into Nova Scotia Power while customers continue to experience bills that are going through the roof.
In a letter written to the Energy Board, Wednesday, Houston says he is “extremely concerned” about the number Nova Scotians affected by the rising costs and lack of response from the utility.
“Since the cyberattack over eight months ago, NSP has continually relied on estimated billing. Customers have faced inflated bills, consecutive charges within short timeframes and a lack of clear communication about adjustments,” says the Houston.
According to recent reports, thousands have had their power bills spike, still without any answers to when normalcy will return.
“Customers should not be paying for NSP’s failures,” adds Houston in the letter. “The cyberattack was not the fault of Nova Scotians, yet they are bearing the financial consequences of NSP’s operational shortcomings.”
Houston says transparency has been an afterthought and wants the investigation to look into things like the fairness and equality and restoring accurate billing as well as a timeline.
Opposition urged action
The move comes just hours after the Nova Scotia NDP called on Houston to step in after hundreds called the official opposition to express “frustration and confusion” over their bills.
The NDP say people deserve a government who “has their backs” but haven’t seen that from the new energy minister.
Meanwhile, the Liberals have also urged the province to order an independent review of Nova Scotia Power over the matter.
“When you see 25 percent of Nova Scotians… that don’t have the appropriate meter reading, you’re talking about significant funds,” he said. “Hundreds and hundreds of dollars, potentially thousands of dollars per household that they’re sitting on.”
He said he wants to see a clear accounting of how much Nova Scotia Power has billed, collected, or deferred since the cyber disruption.
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