The province is urging the energy board to reject Nova Scotia Power’s proposed rate hike for 2026-27.
The government said on Friday that the Department of Energy has filed its closing submission with the Nova Scotia Energy Board, urging it to reject Nova Scotia Power’s request.
“Nova Scotians are already stretched, and electricity is not optional,” said Premier Tim Houston. “The tone-deaf rate increase for residential customers request should be rejected, and Nova Scotia Power should focus on improving performance and earning the public’s trust after an incredibly stressful and damaging cyber breach.”
The utility has applied for a hike of 8 per cent over the next two years.
It has been under fire in the last several weeks after asking customers to conserve energy as wind chills plummeted across the province to -28.
In response, comments and reactions to the request did not hold back.
Many commenters on Instagram mentioned the high cost of power and the utility’s recent request to raise its rates. “We already conserve energy, and we still can’t afford our bill, so what more do you want us to do?” asked one commenter. “How about investing that eight per cent increase into supporting the grid instead of returning profits to shareholders?” asked another.
Other commenters said the request to turn the heat down during one of the coldest weekends of the year so far was hard to swallow. “It’s -20, and you expect people to turn down their heat? Are you guys ok?” reads one comment.