Topic:"Equity Access" in M12149

NON-CONFIDENTIAL (c) As of March 2025, NS Power provides the rebate to eligible customers, regardless of which utility owns the poles. Details about the financial reconciliation between NS Power and Bell will be addressed as part of the fu...

AI summary NS Power discusses rebate structures and pole ownership agreements with Bell Aliant. It states that a new Joint Use Agreement (JUA) will eliminate differences in rebate schemes based on pole ownership, aligning with regulatory principles of equity and non-discrimination. NS Power has not conducted a formal analysis on the impact of differing rebate structures on ratepayers and has not assessed additional costs from the new approach.

Request IR-8: Board staff understands NS Power's May 8, 2025, letter envisages a different approach to pole ownership under the JUA but would like NS Power's views on whether there is a rationale for maintaining distinct rebate schemes bas...

AI summary NS Power argues there is no rationale for maintaining distinct rebate schemes based on pole ownership, as future rebates will follow the NS Power scheme regardless of ownership after reconciliation with Bell. The Board agrees, noting that the Regulations were not designed for the Joint Use Agreement structure, leading to inequities in rebate treatment.