Intervenor experts challenge EfficiencyOne's 2027–2031 DSM Plan as under-ambitious on savings targets, electrification, and demand response cost-effectiveness.

M12780 · EfficiencyOne - 2027-2031 Demand Side Management (DSM) Plan Application

AI summary

The NSEB's own counsel (Synapse/Alice Napoleon) and the Consumer Advocate (GEEG/Theodore Love) both filed expert evidence arguing that EfficiencyOne's Preferred Plan acquires only 435 GWh of energy-efficiency savings over 2027–2031 — just 64% of the 683 GWh Base level identified as least-cost in NS Power's 2022 Evergreen IRP — creating a projected 73 MW gap in the peak demand reductions NSP is counting on for system adequacy.
EfficiencyOne eliminated strategic electrification from the plan entirely, citing the Board's December 2025 BCA decision (M12282) as requiring electrification to reduce both GHG emissions and electricity costs; Synapse counters that the portfolio PAC of 2.4 leaves ample room to absorb the modest \$12.2 million Round 2 electrification scenario without the modified-PAC falling below 1.0, and recommends the Board direct E1 to pursue electrification — particularly for low-income oil-heated households — at the portfolio level.
Residential demand response (Eco Shift) is projected to carry an average PAC BCR of only 0.7 over the plan period, with delivery costs consuming 63% of the \$10.3 million residential DR budget versus roughly 27–29% for comparable Rhode Island and Massachusetts programs; both experts support holding enrollment flat but call for a competitive procurement review and process evaluation of delivery vendors.
The Consumer Advocate recommends the Board require explicit regulatory approval for any mid-course adjustment rather than accepting E1's proposed self-directed filing process, and directs E1 to raise its dedicated low-income savings target from 11% to 14.9% of residential savings to match the Nova Scotia low-income population share, consolidating four program components into a single trackable Low Income Program.
NS Power filed Brattle Group evidence (E-22) supporting E1's affordability-driven flat budget but recommending phased strategic electrification through improved hourly modelling, expanded residential DR enrollment, and limiting DSM funding for standalone solar-PV; the Small Business Alliance filed a letter indicating it would not be submitting evidence.

Disclaimer: This summary was generated by AI from the filings it describes. We take care to make it accurate, but errors are possible - and it isn't advice. Only the filings themselves are the record: if you're relying on something here, confirm it against the source documents or the Nova Scotia Energy Board's own record. Full disclaimer →

What was filed

Documents filed on this day

E-20 Evidence - Eastward exhibits
E-21 Evidence - CA exhibits
E-21-(i) Resume - Theodore Love exhibits
E-21-(ii) Non-Participant Bills (IRP vs Perferred) - Excel exhibits
E-21-(iii) Unit Acquisition Costs - Excel exhibits
E-21-(iv) ACEEE Benchmark Acquisition Costs - Excel exhibits
E-22 Evidence - NSPI exhibits
E-23 Evidence - Synapse exhibits
E-24 Evidence - SNS exhibits
102480 Letter SBA re: Not filing evidence other_documents