November 16, 2016 – The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board says it now has the authority to impose financial penalties on Nova Scotia Power for not meeting customer service standards.

The provincial government proclaimed this last section of the Electricity Plan Implementation Act today, as the board continues with the process of setting performance standards.

“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 the 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 province says, and the penalty provision for reliability and storm response standards is already in force.

Rates did not change for most Nova Scotians in 2015 and they went down in 2016.

According to the province, “for the first time ever Nova Scotians will have stable rates, well under the rate of inflation, for the next three years”.