• Power bills in Nova Scotia may spike as utility looks to refinance $1B in assets

  Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-09 15:30:07.0
  Tags: [Nova Scotia, Energy, Finance, Affordability]

  Nova Scotia Power Inc. is applying for regulatory permission to refinance nearly $1 billion worth of assets, including coal plants scheduled for closure by 2030, through a financial scheme known as securitization. The utility states that the mechanism could impose a 2.9 per cent surcharge on residential power bills next year, contributing to a total projected rate increase of 6.8 per cent in 2027 when combined with previously approved hikes. While Nova Scotia Power maintains that lower interest rates from securitization will save customers $265 million over 30 years, Premier Tim Houston has expressed doubts regarding whether the accounting change will yield actual savings for ratepayers.

  Read Original

• Narrowed rebate eligibility leaves some Nova Scotians worried about heating costs

  Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-01 21:16:24.0
  Tags: [Nova Scotia, Affordability, Energy, Social Services, Finance]

  The Government of Nova Scotia has narrowed the eligibility criteria and lowered net income thresholds for the Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP), reducing individual caps from $55,000 to $30,000 and family caps from $70,000 to $45,000. Minister of Service Nova Scotia Jill Balser defended the changes, citing a $1.4 billion provincial deficit and a $33 million budget allocation for the program, which provides eligible households with up to $400. Advocacy groups, including the Ecology Action Centre, ACORN, and the Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank, raised concerns over rising heating oil costs and high energy poverty rates, noting a 25 per cent increase in demand for emergency heating supports.

  Read Original

• N.S. government tables bill to review new regulation system for Nova Scotia Power

  Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
  Date: 2026-09-09 20:24:12.0
  Tags: [Nova Scotia, Energy, Environment, Governance, Affordability]

  The Government of Nova Scotia, led by Premier and Minister of Energy Tim Houston, tabled a bill requiring the Nova Scotia Energy Board to review the regulation system for Nova Scotia Power Inc. The proposed legislation examines implementing a performance-based regulation that would link a portion of the utility's revenues, earnings, incentives, or penalties to measurable outcomes such as reliability, emissions reduction, and customer service. The review is mandated to begin 30 days after the law takes effect, with a final report to be published publicly.

  Read Original