During the last election I chose to run for the Liberal Party because Stephen McNeil and the Liberals were the only ones talking about the need for long term solutions for stablizing energy rates.
There are likely few (if any) Nova Scotians who are not angry every time they hear about a power rate increase.
In the past two years I've intervened (the only elected person in the province to do so) at every review board hearing on power rate issues, fuel price adjustmments, and the efficiency tax proposed first by the Tories and finally added to power bills by the NDP (after they opposed it during the election).
I've also introduced legislation to introduce competition and grid access to renewable suppliers. Legislation proven in other jurisdictions to help reduce the cost to consumers for power.
In part because of all this work and meetings I've held around Nova Scotia, I've heard from many businesses and residents around our province about the challenges they face.
From kitchen tables to town halls power rates, and the cost of living has been a major issue. It's a rare day that someone does not bring up the issue of power rates to me.
I've previously called for a review of the rate of return and for a performance audit of Nova Scotia Power operations before any rate increase is approved.
While fuel audits are done (it's worth noting Nova Scotia Power doesn't do as well as they could on this front) we have no independent performance audit at a time Nova Scotia Power wants a higher rate of return and at a time that Nova Scotia Power's profits are helping prop up otherwise sagging numbers of the parent company Emera.
Years ago the Tories gave Nova Scotians an effective private power monopoly. They extended that monopoly to both generation and distribution. We've never had an independent performance audit since.
Much of the work related to the upcoming power rate hearings is already well underway. Along with many other intervenors, I've submitted formal questions about data Nova Scotia Power has provided to support yet another rate increase.
We all know fossil fuel prices have been increasing. But we also know more and more Nova Scotians are being forced to choose food or power. And many businesses I've talked to are struggling to survive under increased costs including power.
For over two years I've been talking to Nova Scotians and Nova Scotia businesses about power rates and getting feedback. Looking for solutions. Nova Scotians deserve to know when and at what rate power rates will stablize.
Increasing power rates affects more than the bill you receive. It impacts the price of goods. It impacts jobs. It impacts decisions of companies to locate in our province. It impacts the decisions of people about whether they should stay in Nova Scotia.
The fact is, increasing power rates matter and the fight for fairness and accountability is one I think is worth continuing to fight.
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Andrew Younger
MLA - Dartmouth East
73 Tacoma Drive
Suite 600
Dartmouth, NS, B2W 3Y6
Phone: 902.406.4420
Fax: 902.406.4421
E-mail: info@andrewyounger.ca
Web: www.andrewyounger.ca
