AI-generated summary
· Application · 09/02/2026
NSEB dismisses Jessica Pelley's DRO appeal over estimated billing arrears stemming from NS Power's 2025 cyber incident, finding NS Power properly applied Regulation 5.1
AI summary
- The Board dismissed Ms. Pelley's appeal (M12714), concluding that Nova Scotia Power followed Board-approved Billing Procedures under Regulation 5.1, which permits estimated billing when meter reads are unavailable due to circumstances beyond the utility's control.
- A criminal Cybersecurity attack in spring 2025 disabled smart meter communications with NS Power's billing systems, forcing a return to manual meter reads; the Board found no evidence that meters failed to record actual usage accurately during this period.
- NS Power underestimated Ms. Pelley's usage across four consecutive estimated bills (June–December 2025), resulting in a $1,679.07 catch-up bill in February 2026 representing 8,867 kWh of previously unbilled consumption at an average of 150.3 kWh/day.
- A separate billing error — a streetlight rental fee charged in error from July 2024 to March 2026 — was resolved by NS Power's $341.33 credit, which the Board found appropriate.
- The Board declined to forgive 30–40% of arrears as Ms. Pelley requested, but encouraged her to accept NS Power's offered 24-month, interest-free repayment plan of approximately $280/month; the broader estimation methodology is under review in Matter M12600.
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What was filed
Documents filed on this day
- 103425 Board Decision (redacted)