Topic:"Affordability" in M12663

Immediate Temporary Financial Relief Request IESO Nova Scotia is seeking immediate NSEB approval of temporary financial relief by way of fees charged to and collected from NS Power in the amount of Nine Hundred Fifty Thousand dollars ($950...

AI summary IESO Nova Scotia requests NSEB approval for temporary financial relief of $950,000/month from NS Power, effective February 1, 2026, with recovery by February 27, 2026. It also seeks approval for NS Power to record, defer, and recover associated costs via the Fuel Adjustment Mechanism.

- As noted above, IESO Nova Scotia is a not-for-profit corporation established by the Act on - October 24, 2024. The Province of Nova Scotia, having created IESO Nova Scotia, established its - inaugural Board of Directors on February 18, 2...

AI summary IESO Nova Scotia, established by the Act, seeks temporary financial relief to meet liabilities as it awaits Board approval of its revenue requirement, despite a provincial line of credit and a filed revenue application (M12412). It projects inability to meet liabilities in May 2026 without further relief.

NON-CONFIDENTIAL 99 participation in NS Power's plans due to the comparatively higher costs of IESO Nova Scotia 100 to stand-up its own DB pension program. 101 102 iii) Please refer to part c) iii) above. 103 104 iv) Please refer to CA IR-...

AI summary The text references IESO Nova Scotia's participation in NS Power's plans, the establishment of a DB pension program, and the transfer of office resources from NS Power. It also refers to the Consumer Advocate's IR-7 and part c) iii) above.

Nova Scotia Independent Energy System Operator (IESO Nova Scotia) Responses to Consumer Advocate (CA) Information Requests 21 (f) On what basis did IESO NS assess the potential turnover rate of "2-3 employees"? 61 market data and providing...

AI summary IESO Nova Scotia provided responses to the Consumer Advocate's information requests regarding employee turnover rate assumptions, fringe rate, and compensation adjustments. The estimates were based on market data, external consulting, and general HR assumptions rather than detailed calculations.

NON-CONFIDENTIAL Based on the information obtained for each role, each role was then included in a pay band, and for each pay band, the highest salary in that band was applied to the number of roles in that band/level. This approach was ta...

AI summary The 2025/2026 annualized compensation for administrative employees was calculated using the same assumptions as the 2026/2027 calculations, adjusting for a 3% annual increase and a change in the burden rate. IESO Nova Scotia matches NS Power benefits for transitioning employees as per the More Access to Energy Act.

60 61 (d) The 23 administration employees forecasted to be actively employed from April 1, 2026 62 to March 31, 2027 is expected to increase by 1 FTE going forward. Nova Scotia Independent Energy System Operator (IESO Nova Scotia) Response...

AI summary The document discusses the anticipated increase in administration employees from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, and mentions the Nova Scotia Independent Energy System Operator responding to information requests from Doane Grant Thornton LLP.

As of December 31, 2025 CURRENT 1 - 30 31 - 60 61 - 90 91 AND OVER Total • Monthly Delta $ - ($702) $176 $759 $691 $906 ($1,043) ($303) ($411) ($281) ($287) ($347) ($370) ($975) ($1,459) ($1,449) ($1,237) Net Cash Balance - end of Month 51...

AI summary The text presents a financial summary with monthly delta values and net cash balances for different time periods, ending with a total accrued liability of $99,537.75 as of December 31, 2025.

NON-CONFIDENTIAL 1 Request IR - 5 2 Refer to the Application and Exhibit D-1 – Immediate Temporary Financial Relief which states on 3 page 40, at lines 24-26: … IESO Nova Scotia has determined that a minimum of Nine Hundred 4 Fifty Thousan...

AI summary The document outlines a request for information regarding IESO Nova Scotia's consultation process and legislative authority for recovering temporary financial relief through the Fuel Adjustment Mechanism (FAM), with NS Power's agreement to this approach.

1.1 Purpose and scope - Doane Grant Thornton LLP ("we", "us", "our", "Doane Grant Thornton", or "Doane GT") has been engaged by the - Nova Scotia Energy Board (the "Board" or "NSEB"). We were engaged to review an application by the Nova Sc...

AI summary Doane Grant Thornton LLP reviewed IESO Nova Scotia's revenue requirement application (M12663) for the 2026/2027 fiscal year on behalf of the Nova Scotia Energy Board. The review focused on OM&A costs, transitional cost analysis, the reasonableness of the deferral mechanism, and the financial relief request. Comparisons were made with prior budgets and expenditures.

- 4 Figure 1 Summary of findings, observations and conclusions # Report section Findings, observations, and conclusions 7. Request for immediate temporary financial relief Applicable capital cost approval and review requirements. o Based u...

AI summary The report discusses IESO Nova Scotia's request for temporary financial relief, noting the need for approval to ensure continued operations and regulatory compliance. It highlights concerns about the misuse of the FAM for purposes beyond its defined scope and emphasizes the need to establish a clear process for allocating and recovering deferred costs from customers.

7. Request for immediate temporary financial relief

AI summary The section titled '7. Request for immediate temporary financial relief' is mentioned, but no detailed content or arguments are provided in the given text.

7.3.1 Background - As explained in the Application, IESO Nova Scotia has taken on operating costs, obligations, and liabilities - anticipated by the Act, which now form part of its revenue requirement. Although it has filed applications fo...

AI summary IESO Nova Scotia, a new not-for-profit entity under provincial legislation, faces short-term financing challenges despite a $10M provincial line of credit. It filed a 2026–2027 revenue requirement application but omitted a fee recovery mechanism, now seeking temporary financial relief. The Nova Scotia Energy Board noted the missing mechanism and highlighted IESO's potential inability to meet liabilities by May 2026 without additional funding.

1 7.3.3 Summary of intervenor submissions and concerns - 2 The Consumer Advocate ("CA"), Small Business Advocate ("SBA"), the Industrial Group ("IG"), and Port Hawkesbury - 3 Paper LP ("PHP") all submitted submissions pertaining to IESO No...

AI summary The Consumer Advocate, Small Business Advocate, Industrial Group, and Port Hawkesbury Paper LP submitted interventions regarding IESO Nova Scotia's request for immediate temporary financial relief. Their key opinions are summarized, focusing on concerns related to the financial relief proposal.

e critical system planning and resource procurement work quickly. Making progress on these issues cannot wait — indeed, we will be launching our RFP for fast acting generation in the very near future. The challenges don't stop there. We ar...

AI summary The document discusses IESO Nova Scotia's rapid progress in establishing its organization, emphasizing energy affordability and long-term decision-making for the province. It highlights the transition of responsibilities from Nova Scotia Power and the appointment of the Board of Directors in February 2025.

CONFIDENTIAL (Attachments Only) 1 Undertaking U-1: 2 3 4 To provide any work product from any consultant hired to support the development of the salary or benefits package for non-CEO employees. 5 6 Response U-1: 7 8 Please refer to Attach...

AI summary The document discusses the undertaking and response related to providing work products from consultants hired to support the development of salary and benefits packages for non-CEO employees at the IESO. It mentions HUB and Timbar Consulting as the firms involved in the analysis and compensation recommendations.

Scope This policy applies to all employee benefits provided by IESO Nova Scotia, including: - Short-term employee benefits such as paid annual leave and paid sick leave; and - Post-employment benefits in the form of a registered defined co...

AI summary The policy outlines the employee benefits provided by IESO Nova Scotia, focusing on short-term benefits and a registered defined contribution pension plan, while excluding defined benefit pension plans and other long-term benefits.

17 Request IR-15: - 18 Reference: N-1(i), Exhibit B-2, pdf p.13-15 states that 23 administration employees are assumed for the year, compensation targets the 50th 19 percentile, and the fringe load factor 20 is 15% (up from 14.75%). - 21 (...

AI summary The document requests detailed information on 23 administration FTEs, including their positions, compensation assumptions, and fringe benefits, as well as market survey data supporting the 50th percentile compensation targets and normalization of Atlantic-Canada comparators for ISO skill sets.

27 Request IR-3: 28 1. Reference: Application page 14, “Cost of living increases are foreseen to give rise to an overall 2. 3% increase in the Administration Salaries compared to those in the 2025/2026 Revenue 3. Requirement Application”....

AI summary The text references an application page 14, which discusses a 3% increase in Administration Salaries due to cost of living increases, compared to the 2025/2026 Revenue Requirement Application.

Questions: 2 1. a) Please provide the basis for the 3% increase. 2. b) Do all Administration Salaries have a built-in annual cost of living increase? If so, what is 3. the identified basis for determining that increase. 4. c) Do any IESO N...

AI summary The questions focus on the basis for a 3% increase, whether administration salaries include annual cost-of-living increases, and if IESO Nova Scotia employees have incentive or bonus plans, including the positions and criteria involved.

11 Request IR-4: 12 13 Reference: Application page 17, “ Office Costs : these costs cover various office administrative 14 fees and resources.” 15 16 Question: Please break down the proposed $100,000 for this cost category into each respec...

AI summary The document includes a request to break down a $100,000 allocation for office costs into individual administrative fees and resources, referencing an application page that describes these costs as covering various office administrative fees and resources.

2025/2026 annualized amount based on the 2025/2026 budget and not adjusted based on “the most recent assumptions on the number of employees and salaries as currently planned by the end of 2025/2026.” Regarding the Phase II readiness assura...

AI summary The text includes questions and comments regarding the 2025/2026 budget, consultant readiness for Phase II, the Net OM&A Deferral and Variance Account, and the use of a provincial grant. It also requests additional information on the account's rationale, balance, and recovery, as well as clarification on the application of grant funds.

1. Will IESO Nova Scotia be preparing an administration manual detailing the policies and procedures applicable to its proposed deferral and variance account (and if so when)? 2. Please explain if interest or financing costs will be associ...

AI summary The text presents a series of questions directed at IESO Nova Scotia regarding the administration, financial implications, reporting requirements, and risk management of its proposed Net Revenue Requirement Deferral and Variance Mechanism.

eporting it will provide around these processes. 10. Please confirm, or clarify otherwise, that the overall result of the IESO’s two sample scenarios would be either a regulatory asset or liability of $10. If not confirmed, please explain...

AI summary The text raises questions about the IESO's sample scenarios, tax implications of Nova Scotia Power's monthly payments, and the determination of the Monthly Assessment amount. Concerns are raised about potential regulatory assets/liabilities, tax exposure for customers, and the impact of deferrals if a permanent recovery mechanism is not approved.

- 43 i. Lease arrangements and use of facilities (including, for example, whether 44 IESO NS and NS Power discussed the possibility of IESO NS leasing 45 space at any properties owned by NS Power) 1 2 3 4 ii. Employee compensation (includi...

AI summary The text outlines several topics under consideration, including lease arrangements between IESO NS and NS Power, employee compensation details, historical financial and operational information, software licence transitions, and the transition of office resources and equipment.

hould be considered as illustrative: 8. Lease arrangements and use of facilities (including, for example, whether IESO NS and NS Power discussed the possibility of IESO NS leasing space at any properties owned by NS Power) 9. Employee comp...

AI summary The document outlines a list of topics to be considered in a regulatory proceeding, including lease arrangements, employee compensation, historical financial information, and software license transitions between NS Power and IESO NS, with a focus on cost minimization.

(i.e. what are the specific “office administrative fees and resources”). 11. Please provide a breakdown of the governance costs noted at pages 18-19. 12. With respect to Table 11, the budget includes the costs of purchase or licensing of s...

AI summary The text contains a series of questions regarding governance costs, software licenses, hardware, and staffing transitions related to the IESO Nova Scotia. It requests detailed information on administrative fees, software transfers, hardware requirements, and the status of vacant positions.

cted to remain the same through March 2027 and, if not: 1. What changes are anticipated; and 2. whether those anticipated changes are included as part of this Application. Request IR-2: Refer to the Application and Exhibit D-1 – Immediate...

AI summary The text outlines requests for information regarding the IESO-NS's revenue requirement application, including management responsibilities, timelines for fee collection, plans for charging non-FAM customers, and a list of expected service recipients. It also mentions financial projections and the use of a provincial line of credit.

C. CONCLUSION The circumstances described in this rebuttal demonstrate that temporary financial relief is urgently required to ensure IESO Nova Scotia can continue its operations during the transition mandated by the MAEA. Even with full u...

AI summary IESO Nova Scotia requests temporary financial relief to avoid insolvency during the transition mandated by the MAEA, citing inability to meet liabilities by May 2026. They propose using the FAM as a temporary tool and address intervenor concerns regarding prudency and evidentiary sufficiency. A minimum of $950,000 monthly is required to prevent insolvency during this period.

7 As noted in the Application, for the purpose of preparing its expenditure budget, "IESO Nova 8 Scotia has assumed that the 23 employees responsible for functional management and administrative matters are fully employed during the 26/27...

AI summary The document discusses the IESO Nova Scotia's assumption of full-time employment for 23 employees during the fiscal year and the methodologies used to establish compensation ranges. The Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Resource Development raises concerns about these assumptions.

king Responses, U-1, page 1. [ 31 ](#page-8-3) N-18, Undertaking Responses, U-1, page 2. [ 32 ](#page-8-5) N-18 Undertaking Responses, U-1, Attachment 2. [ 33 ](#page-8-7) N-18 Undertaking Responses, U-5, Attachment 1. [ 34 ](#page-8-9) N-...

AI summary The document discusses concerns raised by the Industrial Group regarding the CEO objectives outlined in Undertaking U-8, noting that they lack measurable targets for transition tasks, affordability measures, and cost-effectiveness of energy resources, and appear more focused on internal management than ratepayer interests.

MAEA ), the Ontario IESO annual reporting includes a financial performance analysis comparing actual results for its core operations, with narrative explanation of material variances.[83](#page-17-0) In contrast with the approach taken by...

AI summary The text discusses annual reporting improvements, comparing the Ontario IESO's public disclosure of financial performance, executive compensation, and benchmarking methodologies with the IESO-NS approach. It notes the lack of comparable information from IESO-NS in this proceeding and references related regulatory matters and legal decisions.

So can you explain to me kind of how that 50th percentile works with the selection of 392 the highest salary in the band? 16 IESO Nova Scotia response to DGT IR-10, M12663, March 10, 2026. 393 A. (Johnston) Yes. So this was really a simpli...

AI summary The 50th percentile was used as a simplifying assumption in budgeting for employee salaries, placing it at the top of each band to account for additional costs like travel and training not covered by historical data. Third-party consultant data informed compensation targets and staffing budgets for Administration employees.

1 Benchmarking - 2 Another focus of intervenors with respect to staffing and compensation is related to the general - 3 reasonableness of compensation based on the associated benchmarking information used to inform - 4 the Application. 5 6...

AI summary The text discusses concerns raised by intervenors about the reasonableness of compensation based on benchmarking information. It highlights issues with the benchmarking approach used by HUB, including the inflation of the comparator group and the lack of actual benchmarking data. Additionally, it notes an underspend in administration salaries and questions the reasonableness of the proposed labour and salary budget.

OPENING STATEMENT 27 IESO NOVA SCOTIA 1 In these roles, I've testified in 2 We're in a time where energy affordability is front of 3 mind for many in our communities, and this further 4 amplifies the importance and required thoughtfulness...

AI summary The opening statement from IESO Nova Scotia emphasizes the importance of energy affordability and the organization's commitment to serving the best interests of Nova Scotians. It highlights the organization's early progress, including the transition of key responsibilities from Nova Scotia Power and the establishment of foundational governance and operations.

IESO NOVA SCOTIA PANEL 65 Cr-ex, (Murphy) 1 the end of a quarter, there would be some updated 5 for what they were recommending? 6 (Johnston) I believe they must A. 7 have done, but the honest answer is there's an awful lot 8 of water's go...

AI summary The text discusses a regulatory proceeding involving Nova Scotia Power and the benefits package for employees, referencing the More Access to Energy Act and the need for documentation from external consultants regarding salary and benefit recommendations.