HomeBilling ProceduresM12563Evidence
Topic/Matter Intersection

Topic:"Billing Procedures" in M12563

Matter: NSPI DRO Appeal - Billing Issues - Beverley Burlock
33 passages 10 documents

Billing Procedures across all matters →

B-1DRO Notice of Appeal - Redacted 2 passages
Section 2
er as many, and definitely not as cold as 2023 when records were broken, not just for low temperatures but also for the duration of the cold period. AND when my pipes froze. No pipes froze this year. Dec-Feb 23 was 62 days energy used 4149...

AI summary The customer reports a significant increase in electricity usage and costs during the winter of 2023-2024, attributing it to unusual circumstances. They emphasize that their lifestyle, heating system, and appliances have remained consistent over 25 years and question the validity of the high consumption figures, suggesting potential issues with billing or measurement.

Section 3
were broken as was the length of the cold snap, my electric consumption did not rise to anywhere near 86! Comparing bills for that period back for many years show they have NEVER EVER been that high. Obviously, then, that bill was an anomo...

AI summary The customer disputes an unusually high electricity bill during a cold snap, citing historical data showing no such increase. They question the accuracy of the meter reading and express frustration with Nova Scotia Power's response, which suggests equal billing programs. The customer claims they have been making equal monthly payments for years, which have increased due to rising electricity prices, not usage.

B-2Appellant's Additional Submissions - Redacted 10 passages
12 (1) Within p. p. 11
12 (1) Within - (a) the period of eight years from verification, and the period of eight years from each reverification, of a meter used for the purpose of obtaining the basis of a charge for electricity, - (b) the period of seven years fr...

AI summary This section outlines the requirements for reverifying meters used for electricity and gas charges. It specifies different time periods for reverification based on the type of meter and allows the director to determine other periods as needed.

Owner's liability Responsabilité du propriétaire p. p. 11
Owner's liability Responsabilité du propriétaire 16 (1) Le propriétaire de chaque compteur vérifié qui est en usage le conserve en bon état et voit à ce qu'on agisse à son égard d'une manière qui soit conforme aux dispositions de la présen...

AI summary The owner of each verified meter in use is responsible for maintaining it in good condition and ensuring compliance with the law and regulations. They are also liable for any fees resulting from this compliance obligation.

Where error's duration determined Durée de l'écart p. p. 11
Where error's duration determined Durée de l'écart (4) Where the duration of the existence of an error referred to in subsection (1), (2) or (3) is, on a proceeding mentioned therein, determined from past readings of a meter or other infor...

AI summary This section specifies that if the duration of an error in meter readings is determined from past readings or other information in a proceeding, the provisions of subsections (1), (2), or (3) do not apply to that error.

Idem Idem p. p. 11
Idem Idem (2) Sous réserve des paragraphes (3) et (4), dans le cas où, suite à la demande visée à l'article 23, il est constaté, dans l'enregistrement d'un compteur, un écart non autorisé par les règlements et que le compteur aurait dû, à...

AI summary This text outlines procedures for determining liability for errors in meter readings, including retroactive application of errors and requirements for voltage testing. It addresses scenarios where meters are not verified on schedule or are improperly installed, and establishes rules for liability and compensation.

5.1 METER READING p. p. 11
5.1 METER READING When reasonably possible, meters shall be read bi-monthly; however, the Company may read meters on a monthly basis.

AI summary The document specifies that meters should be read bi-monthly when reasonably possible, though the Company has the option to read them monthly.

ESTIMATED METER READING p. p. 11
ESTIMATED METER READING If the Company is unable to obtain a meter reading due to circumstances beyond its control, or due to the failure of the Customer to return a post card reading, then the amount of power and energy used by the Custom...

AI summary The document outlines procedures for estimated meter readings when actual readings cannot be obtained. If estimated readings occur five times consecutively, the customer must arrange for proper meter reading or face disconnection or meter relocation. Adjustments will be made if actual readings are later obtained.

METER READING IN RURAL AREAS p. pp. 11-48
METER READING IN RURAL AREAS Where electric service is supplied to a Customer in a rural area, the Company may adopt a post card meter reading system of monthly or bi-monthly meter reading. Under such system, the Company shall supply the C...

AI summary In rural areas, the Company may implement a postcard meter reading system where customers record and return meter readings via prepaid cards. This method is considered valid for billing purposes.

5.5 BILLING ADJUSTMENTS p. pp. 49-51
5.5 BILLING ADJUSTMENTS When a customer disputes the amount of electricity consumed from the meter, the Company shall: - a) Initiate a check on the meter reading to ensure the original reading was correct and advise the customer. - b) If t...

AI summary The document outlines the process for handling customer disputes regarding electricity meter readings. The company will first verify the original reading, conduct a meter test if the customer is unsatisfied, and allow for an independent test by Industry Canada if needed.

CUSTOMER UNDERBILLED p. p. 49
CUSTOMER UNDERBILLED Should it be necessary for the Company to make a billing adjustment as a result of a customer being underbilled, for any reason, such adjustment for the amount of electric power and energy consumed in excess of that re...

AI summary The document outlines the procedures for billing adjustments when a customer is underbilled due to meter inaccuracies. Adjustments are limited to six months prior to the last scheduled reading, except in cases of illegal or wilful interference with metering equipment, which allows for retroactive billing from the date of the incident.

CUSTOMER OVERBILLED p. pp. 49-50
CUSTOMER OVERBILLED Should it become necessary for the Company to make a billing adjustment as a result of a customer being overbilled, the following time frames for the adjustment are used to calculate the overbilling as per the Electrici...

AI summary The document outlines the time frames for billing adjustments when a customer is overbilled, referencing the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act, R.S.C. 1985, c.E4 as amended.

B-3Appellant's Evidence - Redacted 1 passage
\ \ EXTERNAL EMAIL / COURRIEL EXTERNE \ \
\ \ EXTERNAL EMAIL / COURRIEL EXTERNE \ \ Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking on links / Faites preuve de prudence si vous ouvrez une pièce jointe ou cliquez sur un lien To Whom It May Concern: Nova Scotia Power holds cus...

AI summary The email criticizes Nova Scotia Power for its monopoly status, questionable billing practices, and lack of transparency following a system hack. It highlights issues with estimated meter readings, inaccurate billing periods, and the lack of customer recourse or resources to verify accuracy.

B-4DRO Decision - Redacted 2 passages
Beverley Burlock p. p. 5
actual readings, as a result off the cumulative, and self-reconciling nature, of the meter reading process. The self-reconciling process is more fully explained in the immediately following paragraph. The "Cumulative Nature" of power meter...

AI summary The text explains the cumulative and self-reconciling nature of power meters, comparing them to car odometers. It describes how meter readings accumulate over time and how errors in reading or reporting can lead to temporary billing discrepancies, which eventually balance out over time.

N.S.Power p. p. 5
N.S.Power Please provide me with N.S.Power's position in the matter as well as copies of relevant account statements, meter reading information, and relevant computerized notes or notices. If the serving meter was actually read in August,...

AI summary The customer is disputing Nova Scotia Power's billing practices, citing estimated readings, lack of transparency, and concerns about meter accuracy and potential data breaches. They claim the company is a monopoly and that they have no means to verify billing accuracy.

B-5NSPI Response - Redacted 6 passages
Preamble p. pp. 0-2
• October 20, 2025 – The DRO advised the customer that she may request an independent test by Measurement Canada under Regulation 6.7. The correspondence outlined the process under Regulation 5.5, provided instructions for contacting Measu...

AI summary The DRO advised Ms. Burlock that she could request an independent meter test by Measurement Canada. NS Power agrees with the DRO's decision, confirming that the meter was accurate and that billing was correct. The August 2025 bill reconciled the prior estimated June bill, and the account showed a credit balance after corrections. NS Power emphasizes that it is not responsible for how energy is consumed on customer premises.

N.S.Power p. p. 2
N.S.Power Please provide me with N.S.Power's position in the matter as well as copies of relevant account statements, meter reading information, and relevant computerized notes or notices. If the serving meter was actually read in August,...

AI summary The document requests N.S.Power to provide its position in the matter along with relevant account statements, meter reading information, and computerized notes or notices. It also instructs N.S.Power to test a serving meter at 125 Bells Point Rd for accuracy and report results to the customer and the DRO if the meter was read in August. If the reading was estimated, the document asks when the next actual reading and billing will occur.

21 CONFIDENTIAL Burlock DRO Appeal Attachment 1 Page 21 of 24 p. p. 23
21 CONFIDENTIAL Burlock DRO Appeal Attachment 1 Page 21 of 24 Your Dispute in summary is: that you have service from N.S.Power at 125 Bells Point Rd (Account that you indicate re your August bill that "SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT WITH MY LATEST...

AI summary The customer disputes their August 2025 electricity bill, citing a significant increase in consumption compared to previous months. They note that their August 2025 bill was based on 1361 Kwh, while their August 2024 bill was based on 646 Kwh, and that their highest recent consumption was 5420 Kwh in April 2024. The customer also mentions that their June 2025 bill was based on an estimated meter reading, and that an accuracy test of the serving meter indicated it was operating within prescribed limits.

BEVERLEY C BURLOCK Service address p. p. 31
BEVERLEY C BURLOCK Service address D o m es sti C Meter number 2197146 Rate code 03B No. of days New meter read 65619.00 Last meter read 63371.65 Multiplier 1 kWh used 2247 į 2197146 03B 64 64257.65 63371.65 1 886- Your meter was read on A...

AI summary The document provides a meter reading report for a customer, including details such as the meter number, rate code, days of service, and electricity usage. The reading was taken on August 14, 2025, and shows the amount of electricity used in kilowatt-hours.

Section 36 p. p. 31
Billing date Aug 20 Includes payments received by Aug 20 Amount owing from last bill 12.93 Payment received Jul 17 - Thank you -200.00 Payment received Aug 15 - Thank you -200.00 Balance owing after last payment -$387.07 Energy charges: 76...

AI summary This billing statement shows a credit balance of -387.07 after payments received in July and August. Energy charges total 290.96, with a breakdown of base charge and energy usage. Other charges include HST and a provincial rebate. The total amount due is -99.82, and there is a note about interest on overdue amounts.

Section 40 p. p. 32
Billing process nspower.ca/billing Your meter was read on Oct 03, 2025 Billing date Oct 22 Includes payments received by Oct 22 Amount owing from last bill-99.82Payment received Sep 17 - Thank you-200.00Payment received Oct 17 - Thank you-...

AI summary This billing statement shows a customer's account with Nova Scotia Power Inc. (NSPOWER) as of October 2025, indicating an outstanding balance of -373.12 after payments were applied. The bill includes energy charges, taxes, and a provincial rebate, with instructions not to pay due to a credit balance.

B-6NSPI Response to Board Correspondence re Billing Delivery 1 passage
Section 2
r un lien Good morning Ms. Wallace, NS Power has reviewed the appellant's message regarding the non-receipt of bills for the periods of October 3 to December 2025 and December 2025 to February 2026. As outlined in the information request r...

AI summary NS Power explains that no bill was issued in December 2025 due to a CIS linkage issue with a replacement meter. The issue has been resolved, and the February 2026 invoice reflects actual consumption from October 3, 2025. NS Power apologizes and has provided copies of the customer's invoices to the Board and Ms. Burlock.

B-7NSPI (NSEB) RIR-1 to RIR-3 (redacted) 2 passages
CONFIDENTIAL (Attachment Only) p. p. 2
CONFIDENTIAL (Attachment Only) 1 Request IR-1: 2 3 Please provide all invoices for this account from January 2024 to the present. Indicate for 4 each bill if the usage was estimated or actual. 5 6 Response IR-1: 7 8 Please refer to Confide...

AI summary The document details a request and response regarding billing information for a customer account from January 2024 to the present. It notes that only the June 2025 invoice had estimated usage, while others were actual. An issue with meter linkage in the CIS system caused no billing in December 2025, which has since been corrected.

NON-CONFIDENTIAL p. p. 12
NON-CONFIDENTIAL 1 Request IR-2: 2 3 Please provide the total usage, by year, for 2024 and 2025 on this account. 4 5 Response IR-2: 6 - 7 Please refer to the table below, which summarizes total usage for the account in 2024 and 2025. - 8 A...

AI summary The response to Request IR-2 provides total usage data for 2024 and 2025, noting that no consumption was billed in December 2025 due to a CIS linkage issue following a meter exchange on October 3, 2025. NS Power estimated the remaining 2025 consumption using the average daily usage from the February 2026 invoice.

101147Board Decision Letter (redacted) 4 passages
BACKGROUND p. p. 0
BACKGROUND You received your August 2025 bill, which showed higher usage than expected compared to the same period in previous years. Based on this, you contacted NS Power to dispute the bill. NS Power offered to test the meter, and when a...

AI summary The customer disputes their August 2025 and February 2025 electricity bills, citing unexpectedly high usage compared to previous years. They contacted NS Power, who did not agree with the customer's concerns. The customer appealed to the Board, noting discrepancies in billing periods and usage rates.

Preamble p. p. 1
Your meter was tested on October 20, 2025, with the results provided to you and the DRO on October 20th. The meter test indicated that your meter was operating within approved accuracy limits. Given this result, NS Power and the DRO determ...

AI summary A meter test conducted on October 20, 2025, confirmed the meter was operating within approved accuracy limits. NS Power and the DRO determined that billing from April 17, 2025, to August 20, 2025, should be based on actual usage, and that the correct amount was billed in February 2025.

Your usage and the cyber incident p. p. 1
Your usage and the cyber incident Regarding your concern that the recorded usage might be an error, NS Power argued that actual meter readings and an accurate meter determined that not to be the case. Regarding the cybersecurity incident,...

AI summary NS Power addressed concerns about recorded usage errors and a cybersecurity incident, stating that meter readings were accurate and any billing discrepancies would be reconciled. The incident affected communication with meters but not their accuracy, and test results confirmed the meter was functioning correctly.

ANALYSIS & FINDINGS p. p. 1
ANALYSIS & FINDINGS As noted above, there was some confusion in your August 2025 bill, not just in the usage, but that you were being charged for four months, as opposed to two. From the summary table above, your actual usage from April 17...

AI summary The document discusses billing inaccuracies faced by a customer due to estimated readings and system limitations, including confusion over charges for four months instead of two. NS Power acknowledges system issues and is working on updates. The DRO and Board agree that customer usage is influenced by factors beyond NS Power's control, and meter accuracy is key to determining correct billing.

100922Email from Appellant and Request for NSP Response 1 passage
Good morning, p. p. 0
Good morning, Please see below email from the appellant in this matter which was received by the Board on February 11, 2026. The Board would ask that NS Power provide their comments on the email in relation to billing delivery/issuance. We...

AI summary The Board has received an email from the appellant and is requesting NS Power to comment on the email regarding billing delivery/issuance by February 20, 2026.

101147Board Decision Letter (redacted) 4 passages
BACKGROUND p. p. 0
BACKGROUND You received your August 2025 bill, which showed higher usage than expected compared to the same period in previous years. Based on this, you contacted NS Power to dispute the bill. NS Power offered to test the meter, and when a...

AI summary The customer disputes their August 2025 and February 2025 electricity bills due to unexpectedly high usage compared to previous years. They contacted NS Power, which did not agree with the dispute. The customer also noted that the August 2025 bill covered four months, including a period already billed (April to June).

Preamble p. p. 1
Your meter was tested on October 20, 2025, with the results provided to you and the DRO on October 20th. The meter test indicated that your meter was operating within approved accuracy limits. Given this result, NS Power and the DRO determ...

AI summary A meter test conducted on October 20, 2025, confirmed the meter was operating within approved accuracy limits. NS Power and the DRO determined that billing for the period April 17, 2025, to August 20, 2025, should be based on actual usage, and that the correct amount was billed in February 2025.

Your usage and the cyber incident p. p. 1
Your usage and the cyber incident Regarding your concern that the recorded usage might be an error, NS Power argued that actual meter readings and an accurate meter determined that not to be the case. Regarding the cybersecurity incident,...

AI summary NS Power addressed concerns about meter reading accuracy and a cybersecurity incident, stating that actual meter readings confirmed accuracy, and that the incident did not affect meter accuracy. Meter test results showed the meter was operating within expected limits, and billing was correctly calculated.

ANALYSIS & FINDINGS p. p. 1
ANALYSIS & FINDINGS As noted above, there was some confusion in your August 2025 bill, not just in the usage, but that you were being charged for four months, as opposed to two. From the summary table above, your actual usage from April 17...

AI summary The customer received an August 2025 bill that included charges for four months of usage, leading to confusion. NS Power credited the account for overpayment, and the billing system's inability to separate base charges from usage contributed to the confusion. The DRO noted that customer usage is influenced by factors beyond NS Power's control, and the Board agrees that meter accuracy determines correct billing.

Disclaimer: These summaries were generated by AI from the filings they describe. We take care to make them accurate, but errors are possible - and they aren'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 →