Topic:"Affordability" in M12600

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AI summary The email expresses concern over a data breach at NSP, highlighting issues with privatization, service interruptions, and the lack of alternatives. The writer criticizes the fairness of passing the cost of data breach mitigation to customers and calls for free markets or government-run power distribution.

That, in itself is a major breach of trust, during an ongoing security breach. Even now, NS Power will not provide the basic NS Power profile information to a customer calling in and requesting same. I was born in this province and have li...

AI summary The letter highlights a breach of trust by NS Power due to a security breach and failure to inform customers promptly. It criticizes NS Power for poor infrastructure maintenance, frequent power outages, and excessive rate increases, leading to financial hardship for Nova Scotians. The writer questions the government's response to these issues.

nt, and the Customer Information System replacement store or process customer personal information. For each, provide the storage and processing location per Question 2 and the vendor per Question 1. Question 10 — Customer-facing disclosur...

AI summary The text outlines several questions regarding NS Power's handling of customer data, including storage locations, vendor processing, and disclosure practices. It also raises concerns about affordability analytics and data confidentiality. The author requests transparency on jurisdictional data storage and processing and limits confidentiality claims to genuine security details.

REDACTED 1 Nova Scotia Power anticipates that a portion of the cost for credit monitoring will be 2 covered by insurance, and has committed that customers will not pay for any costs incurred 3 by Nova Scotia Power related to the free credi...

AI summary Nova Scotia Power expects insurance to cover part of the credit monitoring cost and has committed not to pass any related costs to customers.

Minister of Energy – Accountability for Nova Scotia Power (NSEB M12600) NSPI Responses to Consumer Advocate Information Requests 1 Request IR-5: 2 3 Customer Account Collections 4 5 Reference: Exhibit 100853 - NS Power's Monthly Update #2,...

AI summary In response to a request regarding customer account collections, NSPI explains that late fees have been waived and collections paused since the incident. They emphasize working with customers to manage outstanding balances and avoid disconnection, highlighting a customer-centric approach.

NON-CONFIDENTIAL 1 (b) As noted in response to CA IR-8, NS Power adopted an approach to mitigating harm to 2 customers that adhered to, and in many cases exceeded, the standard recommended 3 measures that organizations across all industrie...

AI summary NS Power outlines measures to mitigate customer harm post-cybersecurity incident, including no late fees, no disconnections for non-payment, and offering interest-free payment plans. These actions align with industry standards and aim to reduce financial and service impacts on customers.

Minister of Energy – Accountability for Nova Scotia Power (NSEB M12600) NSPI Responses to NSEB Information Requests 1 (ii) Customers can call into NS Power and receive information on both their 31 (g) Please confirm whether the data set ou...

AI summary The response addresses whether data in Appendix C is actual or estimated, confirming that data in Table 1, Table 2, and Appendix A are actuals, with some exceptions. It also discusses the availability of 2025 data and whether it will be recoverable in the future.

Services Description We have retained the assistance of Trans Union of Canada, Inc. ("TransUnion Canada"), one of Canada's leading consumer reporting agencies and arranged a 24-month subscription to my TrueIdentity®, an online credit monit...

AI summary Nova Scotia Power has provided a 24-month subscription to TransUnion Canada's my TrueIdentity® service, offering credit monitoring and identity restoration at no cost to customers, encouraging them to enroll online.

Reasonableness of credit monitoring offer - NS Power wishes to also address INQ's finding that the initial offer of two years of credit - monitoring was not reasonable, while the subsequent offer of five years was reasonable. 38F [39](#pag...

AI summary NS Power defends its initial offer of two years of credit monitoring following a data breach, arguing it aligns with industry standards in Canada. It acknowledges that extending the offer to five years was reasonable. The discussion highlights the absence of legal or regulatory requirements for credit monitoring duration in Canada, with industry practice commonly favoring two years.

12 Expert Opinion - 13 I disagree with this finding. Customers were sent two different types of notifications: those where - 14 SINs were collected and therefore could have been affected in the Incident and those whose SINs - 15 were not c...

AI summary The expert disagrees with a finding regarding customer notifications following a data incident, arguing that the letter provided clear guidance consistent with industry standards. The use of a TransUnion call center is noted as a common practice, and any credit monitoring issues were addressed.

19 (d) Credit Monitoring Is a Protective Measure, Not a Cash Reimbursement Program - 20 NS Power has been clear that TransUnion's services were not intended to be a financial - 21 reimbursement to customers. This position is consistent wit...

AI summary NS Power clarifies that TransUnion's credit monitoring service is a protective measure, not a financial reimbursement program. The company argues that it is not standard practice for victim companies to reimburse customers for independently purchased credit monitoring services.

3 (b) The Recommendation Fails to Define an "Accredited" Monitoring Service - 4 There is no recognized accreditation body for credit monitoring services in Canada. If NS Power - 5 were required to reimburse customers for alternative servic...

AI summary The recommendation does not define an 'accredited' monitoring service, as there is no recognized accreditation body for credit monitoring services in Canada. Reimbursing customers for alternative services would require a contentious and resource-intensive process.

8 (c) Customer-Selected Alternatives Would Create Unnecessary and Uncertain Costs - 9 The value of the TransUnion myTrueIdentity service offered through NS Power's mass-enrollment - 10 breach response engagement may differ from the retail...

AI summary The text argues that customer-selected alternatives, such as the TransUnion myTrueIdentity service, may lead to unnecessary and uncertain costs. It highlights concerns about potential costs exceeding reasonable caps and the lack of clarity on reimbursement and dispute resolution.

18 (a) The Five-Year Offer Was Already Beyond Standard Practice - 19 The record establishes that NS Power's five-year offer was itself a voluntary extension beyond the - 20 two-year industry standard. Any direction to examine longer-term o...

AI summary NS Power's five-year offer is considered beyond standard practice, as only six percent of Canadian companies offered five years of credit monitoring in 2025. The document emphasizes that the offer should not be viewed as inadequate but rather as a forward-looking governance measure.

ant, Ed Mollard of InterGroup Consultants, 34 recommendations for measures that could be included to support Nova Scotia Power's 35 preparedness for future Incidents and mitigate impacts to customers. 37 We thank you for the opportunity of...

AI summary The document includes an opening statement from The Consumer Advocate and mentions Ed Mollard of InterGroup Consultants, who provided 34 recommendations to support Nova Scotia Power's preparedness for future incidents and mitigate impacts on customers.

2. The Settlement Fund. Equifax will pay $380,500,000 into a fund for class benefits, attorneys' fees, expenses, service awards, and notice and administration costs; up to an additional $125,000,000 if needed to satisfy claims for certain...

AI summary Equifax has established a settlement fund of $380.5 million for class members, with additional funds available for out-of-pocket losses and credit monitoring services. The fund covers reimbursement, compensation for time spent, credit monitoring, and identity restoration services. Any remaining funds after claims periods will be used to increase benefits or extend services.

4. Notice And Claims Program. The notice plan [see Doc. 739-2, p. 125], was developed by class counsel and the Court-appointed notice provider (Signal Interactive Media), with input from the claims administrator (JND Legal Administration)...

AI summary The Notice and Claims Program was developed by class counsel and the Court-appointed notice provider, Signal Interactive Media, with input from the claims administrator and regulators. It uses modern advertising techniques to inform and engage class members, including emails, digital campaigns, media ads, and a settlement website. The program is described as innovative and unprecedented in scope.

Consolidated Statements of Income For the Three months ended Year ended millions of dollars December 31 December 31 2025 2024 2025 2024 Operating revenues $ 504 $ 479 $ 1,944 1,855 $ Fuel for generation and purchased power 269 (216) 1,065...

AI summary The consolidated statements of income for Nova Scotia Power Inc. show operating revenues of $504 million for the three months ended December 31, 2025, and $1,944 million for the year ended. Fuel costs and other deferrals, operating expenses, and income from operations are detailed, with net income at $22 million for the quarter and $141 million for the year.

NSPI has a contractual obligation to pay NSPML, a related party, for the use of the Maritime Link over approximately 38 years from its January 15, 2018, in-service date. On December 23, 2025, NSPML received an Interim Order from the NSEB t...

AI summary NSPI has a long-term contractual obligation to pay NSPML for the use of the Maritime Link. An interim order allows NSPML to collect up to $199 million from NSPI in 2026, with a monthly holdback. NSPI's financial obligations include debt, pension contributions, and various operational and service contracts.

PENSION FUNDING For funding purposes, NSPI determines required contributions to its registered defined benefit pension plans based on smoothed asset values. This reduces volatility in the cash funding requirement as the impact of investmen...

AI summary NSPI determines pension fund contributions based on smoothed asset values to reduce volatility. In 2026, $10 million is expected for defined benefit plans, with $9 million for defined contribution plans. Investments are managed by external managers, focusing on long-term returns and risk management.

Guarantees and Letters of Credit As at December 31, 2025, the Company had $94 million USD (2024 - $104 million USD} of guarantees outstanding with terms of varying lengths, all of which are issued on behalf of NSPEMI. As at December 31, 20...

AI summary As of December 31, 2025, the Company had $94 million USD in guarantees and $6 million USD and $8 million CAD in letters of credit outstanding, all issued on behalf of NSPEMI. These figures represent a decrease from the previous year.

General Economic Risk The Company has exposure to the macro-economic conditions in Nova Scotia. Like most utilities, economic factors such as consumer income, employment and housing affect demand for electricity, and in turn the Company's...

AI summary The Company faces economic risks influenced by Nova Scotia's macroeconomic conditions, including impacts on customer affordability of rate increases and potential challenges in recovering costs and regulatory assets due to adverse economic changes and inflation.

Public Health Crisis Risk An outbreak of infectious disease, a pandemic or other public health threats, or a fear of any of the foregoing, could result in a Material Adverse Effect to NSPI. This could include causing operating, supply chai...

AI summary A public health crisis, such as an infectious disease outbreak or pandemic, could lead to a Material Adverse Effect on NSPI by causing operational delays, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and impacts on demand, revenue, and capital investments.

Commercial Relationship Risk The Company is exposed to commercial relationships risk in respect of its reliance on certain key partners, suppliers and customers. For the year ended December 31, 2025, NSPl's five largest customers contribut...

AI summary The Company faces commercial relationship risk due to its reliance on key partners, suppliers, and customers. In 2025, the five largest customers contributed 7% of electric revenues, and losing a major customer could significantly impact operating revenues and lead to a Material Adverse Effect.

Supply Chain Risk NSPl's ability to meet customer energy requirements, respond to storm-related disruptions and invest in capital in a cost-effective and timely manner are dependent on maintaining an efficient supply chain. Domestic and gl...

AI summary NSPI's ability to meet energy demands, manage disruptions, and invest in capital is dependent on an efficient supply chain. Supply chain issues, trade restrictions, inflation, labor shortages, and international conflicts could delay deliveries, increase costs, or cause shortages of critical materials and resources.

Commodity Price Risk The Company's fuel supply is subject to commodity price risk. The Company's fuel supply is exposed to broader global market conditions, which may include impacts on delivery reliability and price, despite contracted te...

AI summary The Company's fuel supply is subject to commodity price risk due to global market conditions, including currency fluctuations, geopolitical risks, and supply disruptions. NSPI aims to hedge 50-100% of fuel costs for 2026 and 50-90% for 2027, adjusting as needed to maintain fuel cost stability and minimize transaction costs.

Future Employee Benefit Plan Performance and Funding Risk NSPI has both defined benefit and defined contribution employee benefit plans that cover both employees and retirees. The defined benefit plan is closed to new entrants. The cost of...

AI summary NSPI manages defined benefit and contribution employee plans, with the defined benefit plan closed to new entrants. The cost of the defined benefit plan is influenced by investment performance, interest rates, inflation, and actuarial assumptions. Future contributions may increase due to changes in these factors, potentially leading to a Material Adverse Effect.

Uninsured Risk NSPI maintains insurance to cover accidental loss suffered to its facilities, and to provide indemnity in the event of liability to third parties. A significant portion of NSPl's transmission and distribution assets are not...

AI summary NSPI maintains insurance for some of its assets but a significant portion of its transmission and distribution assets remain uninsured due to high costs. NSPI also has deductibles and self-insured retentions. Uninsured claims or claims exceeding coverage limits could have a Material Adverse Effect if regulatory recovery is not available.

The Company has the following categories on the Consolidated Balance Sheets related to derivatives receiving regulatory deferral: As at December31 December31 millions of dollars 2025 2024 Derivative instrument assets (current and other ass...

AI summary The Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets show changes in derivative instrument assets, regulatory assets, and related liabilities as of December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, with a net asset of $2 as of December 31, 2025.

Strict Protections for Consumer Privacy and Personal Information A foundational benefit of NSP's iDecision integration is its rigorous, system-enforced protection of customer data. The platform completely eliminates manual oversight and su...

AI summary NSP's iDecision integration ensures customer data privacy by masking credit reports and scores, displaying only high-level operational codes, and using fraud detection tools like SafeScan to protect consumer privacy during credit checks and service actions.

Q: Why do you keep SINs in your database? SINs were used in certain circumstances for customer authentication purposes. We are committed to permanently deleting all instances of SINs from our systems as soon as our investigation allows. Ou...

AI summary The organization uses SINs for customer authentication but plans to permanently delete them once the investigation permits. Customers are advised to use the free 5-year credit monitoring service for security.

Q: Was my banking information included in this data breach? The types of impacted personal information varied by individual customer and depended, in part, on the information provided by each customer. Bank account numbers may also have be...

AI summary The data breach may have included bank account numbers if customers provided them for pre-authorized payments. TransUnion has been engaged to provide free credit monitoring for five years. Billing is currently delayed, but customers will not face late fees or service disruptions.

Ongoing Regulatory Matters As a result of the impacts noted above, several matters before the Board have been affected, including: • rates-related, - customer billing, - capital and ACE Plan, - financial reporting and statements, - Fuel Ad...

AI summary The document outlines how various regulatory matters before the Nova Scotia Energy Board have been impacted by an incident, including rates, billing, capital, financial reporting, and demand-side management. The Board is being kept informed of evolving impacts, and communication with stakeholders is emphasized.

ecognize the remarkable efforts of Nova Scotia Power employees, who are also our customers. Their resilience and innovation have been critical in supporting our customers during this challenging time. While responding to this incident has...

AI summary Nova Scotia Power acknowledges the efforts of its employees and highlights investments in reliability. A General Rate Application was submitted, emphasizing the balance between affordability and reliability. The company cooperates with ongoing investigations and reaffirms its commitment to customer trust and correcting billing errors.

Power supported customers with 2,080 refund requests, down from 2,268 in Q4 of 2024 and 2,542 in Q4 of 2023. Refunds can be issued for a variety of issues, including customers who might have entered a larger amount when paying through thei...

AI summary Nova Scotia Power processed 2,080 refund requests in Q4 2025, down from prior years, due to overpayments or closed accounts with credits. Underpayment rates for residential accounts rose to 7.23% in 2025 (vs. 4.46% in 2024), prompting NSP, the Affordable Energy Coalition, and the Consumer Advocate to focus on helping customers through billing plans or payment arrangements.

The following projects experienced adjustments to their completion timeline. An overview of the changes and associated rationale is outlined below: Pillar Project Summary of Change Rationale Administration  Approval required for a credit...

AI summary Several administrative projects have had their completion timelines adjusted due to various reasons including invoice disputes, required approvals, withholding tax forms, holdbacks, freight charges, and deposits on returned items.

2 3 a. Please provide NSPI's customer account collection policies that were in effect as of the 4 date of the incident. 5 6 b. Please confirm that no customer accounts have been sent to credit collection agencies 7 since the date of the in...

AI summary The text requests information regarding NSPI's customer account collection policies, confirmation of accounts sent to credit collection agencies, and any complaints from customers regarding late fees or referrals to collection agencies.

The following projects experienced adjustments to their completion timeline. An overview of the changes and associated rationale is outlined below: Pillar Project Summary of Change Rationale Administration Approval required for a credit on...

AI summary The document outlines adjustments to project timelines, citing reasons such as invoice disputes, approval requirements, and inventory management issues. These changes are categorized under Administration and Procurement pillars.

NOVA SCOTIA POWER PANEL 125 Cr-ex, (Roberts) 1 you were overbilling customers. 2 (Lanteigne) I think –– you're A. 3 absolutely right. So if we would have been 4 underestimating or overestimating, again, for many 5 customers those estimates...

AI summary The discussion addresses concerns about billing inaccuracies, particularly underpayment due to underestimated usage and seasonal fluctuations. Efforts to correct these issues involved deploying meter readers and using over-the-air data from AMI smart meters, leading to more accurate billing by March 31st and a return to normal billing processes.

NOVA SCOTIA POWER PANEL 147 Cr-ex, (Roberts) 1 which had a serious data breach in 2019 or 2017. The 2 So I'll start I just wanted to Q. 3 follow up on the request for Undertaking 3, with respect 4 to the amount of SIN numbers. And I'm wond...

AI summary The discussion centers on a data breach involving SIN numbers accessed by Nova Scotia Power. The conversation explores whether the number of SINs accessed corresponds to the number of letters referencing the breach, with clarification that letters were not sent to former customers.

INTERNATIONAL REPORTING INC. CERTIFIED COURT REPORTERS 1 the late fees are absorbed by NS Power; is that what 2 you're saying, the fewer sorry, the late fees resulted 3 at a certain number of less revenue. 4 A. (Williams) The late fees are...

AI summary The discussion revolves around late fees and their impact on revenue and carrying costs for NS Power. The witness clarifies that late fees are not absorbed by the company and that increased carrying costs from restoration efforts are not being passed on to customers.

RALPH 743 1 MS. RUDDERHAM: No questions, Mr. 12 MR. CLARKE: Page 46 of the rebuttal 13 evidence. 14 BY MR. CLARKE: 15 And at the top of the page we Q. 16 see: 17 18 19 20 21 June 25, 2025: Via substitute notice on its website, in the media...

AI summary The text shows a regulatory proceeding where NSP (Nova Scotia Power Inc.) informed customers about a data breach and extended credit monitoring. The discussion confirms that these actions occurred on June 25, 2025, and that the evidence is from NSP.

RALPH Cr-ex, (Clarke) 1 And here you've written: 4 5 6 7 8 9 The types of impacted personal information varied by individual customer and depended, in part, on the information provided by each customer. This may[include] And I just want to...

AI summary The text discusses the types of personal information impacted, including names, contact details, account history, and financial information, as well as measures taken to provide credit monitoring to affected customers as a precautionary measure.