N-21UARB APPROVAL SHEET Replace L6513/Upgrade Line Terminals
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Why do this Project? L8004 is a 345kV line between 101S-Woodbine and 79N-Hopewell. L7005 is a 230kV line between 3C-Port Hastings and 67N-Onslow. The Transmission Service Request and associated System Impact Study (Report TSR400-SIS2-R1 pr...
AI summary The document outlines the need for the Maritime Link Project, explaining that the existing transmission lines across the Strait of Canso were reconfigured to eliminate a single contingency risk associated with a common tower failure. This reconfiguration involved separating the 345kV and 230kV lines that previously shared a double circuit tower at the Auld's Cove crossing location.
15 F. Capital Market Conclusions Interest rates on government and utility bonds have remained about the same as when the UARB approved the settlement in NSPI's previous GRA. This indicates that despite the uncertainties in the economy, the...
AI summary The document discusses the stability of interest rates on government and utility bonds since the UARB approved the settlement in NSPI's previous GRA. It highlights long-term challenges for the utility industry, including climate change, decarbonization, and grid modernization, as well as emerging load growth from electrification and data centers. Economic forecasts and modeling approaches such as CAPM, Risk Premium, and DCF are referenced.
Non-standard Meter Service (AMI) Opt-Out Fee
AI summary The document discusses the 'Non-standard Meter Service' with a focus on the 'AMI Opt-Out Fee', which relates to Advanced Metering Infrastructure and customer opt-out options.
Appendix 13A – Non-standard Meter Service (AMI) Opt-out Fee 1 Proposed Fee for Non-standard Meter Service 3 2 Findings included in the Board's Decision under M10431 5 2.1 Options for Minimization or Elimination of Opt-Out Fees 6 2.1.1 Opt-...
AI summary The document discusses the proposed fee for non-standard meter service (AMI) opt-out, including findings from the Board's decision under M10431, options for minimizing or eliminating the fee, economic comparisons of in-house versus outsourced meter readings, and the justification for the proposed fee based on actual experience and cost considerations.
The Board approved NS Power's Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Project Application in June 2018. The Company filed its Revised AMI Compliance Filing on September 20, 2018, detailing the plan to inform customers about the opt-out[1](#...
AI summary The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board approved NS Power's AMI Project Application in 2018, but did not approve the proposed AMI opt-out fee in its February 2023 Decision. The Board provided general direction, which NS Power has addressed in a specified section of the filing.
In this Application, NS Power proposes a monthly opt-out charge according to the schedule outlined in [Table 1](#page-116-1) . Table 1 – Proposed Schedule of AMI Opt-out Fee Monthly Charges for 2026 and 2027 Standard Customer Meter Propose...
AI summary NS Power proposes a monthly opt-out charge for customers who do not use AMI meters, with varying rates depending on meter read frequency. The proposal includes reduced read frequencies for certain customer classes to lower costs, estimated to save $1.2 million over 2026 and 2027.
NS Power's financial model for the opt-out charges is attached in PR-02 Attachment 1 . The model includes the estimated incremental costs that will be incurred as a result of providing customers the option to retain non-standard meter serv...
AI summary NS Power has updated its financial model for AMI opt-out charges, incorporating changes such as a 33% supervisor oversight factor and updated assumptions, to ensure actual costs are recovered from opt-out customers.
2 Findings included in the Board's Decision under M10431 The NSEB's 2023-2024 GRA Decision provided general direction for pursuing available options: In considering NS Power's requested opt-out fee, the Board questions whether all reasonab...
AI summary The Board questions whether all reasonable options have been explored to minimize or eliminate the proposed opt-out fee for the smart meter program, noting that customers who opt-out will still pay for the capital project through embedded rate costs. The Board is not persuaded that the fee has been fully justified and emphasizes the need for flexible meter reading schedules.
Non-standard Meter Service (AMI) Opt-out Fee 2026-2027 GRA Direct Evidence Appendix 13A Page 6 of 14 […] NS Power may seek approval at a later time, after it has acquired actual experience with opt-out costs and has clearly demonstrated it...
AI summary NS Power may seek approval for the opt-out fee at a later time, after acquiring actual experience with opt-out costs and demonstrating experience with flexible customer options.
2.1.1 Opt-Out Fees in Other Jurisdictions Section 11 of the Company's AMI Project Application provided a summary of the separate charges implemented by utilities in other jurisdictions for non-standard meter service to recover the cost of...
AI summary This section discusses the opt-out fees for non-standard meter service in other jurisdictions, comparing them to Nova Scotia Power's approach. It notes that other utilities have implemented both initial and monthly fees, while NS Power has opted not to use an initial fee due to the use of AMI meters with OTA billing turned off, reducing administrative costs.
Non-standard Meter Service (AMI) Opt-out Fee 2026-2027 GRA Direct Evidence Appendix 13A Page 7 of 14 In addition, approximately 41.5 percent of the total AMI project costs were for the AMI meters themselves.[6](#page-120-2) Parsing project...
AI summary The document discusses the allocation of AMI project costs, emphasizing that 41.5% of costs are for AMI meters. It argues that charging only opt-out customers unfairly increases their costs, suggesting all customers should contribute to ensure fairness and operational efficiency.
2.1.3 Regulation 5.1 – Post Card and Estimated Meter Reading Customer-submitted meter reads, by post card or electronically, were raised in both the AMI Application and the 2023-2024 GRA as an option to reduce or eliminate an opt-out fee....
AI summary The document discusses Regulation 5.1, which allows customers to submit their own meter readings via post card or electronically, as an option to reduce or eliminate opt-out fees. This was addressed in the AMI Application and the 2023-2024 GRA. NS Power provides instructions on how to read analog meters and submit readings online, and similar instructions could be developed for digital meters.
Non-standard Meter Service (AMI) Opt-out Fee 2026-2027 GRA Direct Evidence Appendix 13A Page 8 of 14 Customer-submitted meter reads are used only on an exception basis when NS Power is unable to obtain an on-site reading. Regulation 5.1 re...
AI summary The document discusses the risks and inaccuracies associated with customer-submitted meter reads under the proposed opt-out fee for non-standard meter service (AMI) in 2026-2027. It highlights the potential for errors due to reduced meter read frequency and the limitations of customer-submitted readings compared to manual reads by NS Power.
2.2 Both AMI Project Capital Costs and Savings are Embedded in Rates 9 Regulation 5.1 Meter Reading, "Estimated Meter Reading," page 40. January 1, 2017. 10 Regulation 5.1 Meter Reading, "Estimated Meter Readings in Rural Areas," page 41.
AI summary This section discusses how the capital costs and savings associated with the AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) project are already included in current rates. It references specific regulations related to estimated meter readings and their application in rural areas.
Non-standard Meter Service (AMI) Opt-out Fee 2026-2027 GRA Direct Evidence Appendix 13A Page 9 of 14 The concept of non-participant[11](#page-122-0) contributions to the AMI capital project costs, as these costs are embedded in rates, is b...
AI summary The document discusses the rationale for non-participant contributions to the AMI capital project costs, emphasizing shared infrastructure costs and equitable distribution. It explains that even opt-out customers benefit from AMI infrastructure, and their costs are passed through to them, ensuring no over-recovery. The AMI project is deemed in the public interest, offering cost savings and operational benefits.
Non-standard Meter Service (AMI) Opt-out Fee 2026-2027 GRA Direct Evidence Appendix 13A Page 10 of 14 NS Power has increasingly been asked by stakeholders to leverage its AMI data for various justifications and analyses. AMI data helps NS...
AI summary NS Power highlights additional benefits of AMI data, including improved outage management, reduced field work, and better integration of new electric loads, which support the approval of the ATO application. These benefits were not included in the original NPV analysis.
Non-standard Meter Service (AMI) Opt-out Fee 2026-2027 GRA Direct Evidence Appendix 13A Page 11 of 14 The Board also notes from various energy transition matters it has considered or is dealing with at the present time that the implementat...
AI summary The Board highlights the importance of the AMI Project in facilitating the integration of renewables and distributed energy resources, managing load, and developing time-varying rates, which are essential for the energy transition. The Board agrees with NS Power that without AMI, it would lag behind other North American utilities in modernizing the electrical system.
2.3 The Company has Acquired Actual Experience with Opt-out Costs and Flexible Customer Options As part of the approval process for NS Power's AMI roll-out, the NSEB required NS Power to track its costs and report annually on the customers...
AI summary NS Power has been tracking and reporting the costs associated with customers opting out of AMI installation since 2021. In 2024, the total opt-out costs amounted to approximately $1.11 million, with cumulative costs from 2019/2020 to 2024 totaling $4.24 million.
Cost Category 2019/2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Grand Total Internal Labour 0.15 0.07 – – – 0.22 Consulting 0.18 0.00 – – – 0.18 13 M11003 – NSEB Decision, 308688, pages 9-10. November 3, 2023. 14 M08349, NS Power CI 47124 – AMI Project, Suppl...
AI summary The document presents a cost breakdown for various categories, including Internal Labour, Consulting, Total Labour, Customer Care Expenses, and Meter Services Expenses, over the years 2019/2020 to 2024. It references specific decisions and filings related to the AMI Project and provides a grand total for each category.
The Board also reviewed and assessed utility meter opt-out fees in the Halifax Regional Water Commission (HRWC, Halifax Water) 2016 AMI capital project (M07473). In its 2016 Application, HRWC proposed the introduction of meter reading char...
AI summary The document discusses the review of utility meter opt-out fees by the Board in the context of the Halifax Regional Water Commission's 2016 AMI capital project. It contrasts HRWC's 2016 proposed fee with NS Power's more experience-based opt-out cost models submitted in subsequent filings. The Board approved HRWC's fee for new customers in 2016 and extended it to all customers in 2020.
Non-standard Meter Service (AMI) Opt-out Fee 2026-2027 GRA Direct Evidence Appendix 13A Page 13 of 14 having then achieved "the successful installation of AMI meters for approximately 98%"[18](#page-126-1) of its customers, without any req...
AI summary The document notes that approximately 98% of customers have successfully had AMI meters installed, with no need for revisions to the opt-out fee model inputs or assumptions.
2.4 The Need, and Amount, of the Proposed Opt-out Fee has been Fully Explored and Justified NS Power's position is closely aligned with the principles and justifications established by HRWC in its 2016 AMI opt-out proposal and, more recent...
AI summary NS Power argues that an opt-out fee is necessary to cover the extra costs incurred from serving customers who have not installed AMI meters. These costs include manual meter readings and bill estimations, which are disproportionately borne by other customers. The fee is justified based on HRWC's 2020 general rate application and its previous AMI opt-out proposal.
Non-standard Meter Service (AMI) Opt-out Fee 2026-2027 GRA Direct Evidence Appendix 13A Page 14 of 14 Customers currently on a monthly demand read cycle would pay $274.84 annually if billed the proposed opt-out fee of $22.89 per month, in...
AI summary The document discusses the proposed opt-out fee for non-standard meter service (AMI) for 2026-2027, noting that customers on a monthly demand read cycle would pay approximately $274.84 annually. The Board previously approved a similar fee for Halifax Water, and all parties seem to agree that an opt-out charge is reasonable, with Synapse suggesting a range of $10-$12 per month.
Re: M08349 – CI 47124 – Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Project – Costs Associated with Opt-Out Services The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB, Board) approved Nova Scotia Power Incorporated's (NS Power, Company) applicat...
AI summary The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB) approved Nova Scotia Power's AMI project in 2018 and directed the company to explore cost-effective opt-out meter reading services and track associated costs. NS Power has installed over 531,000 smart meters and migrated most to OTA billing, with the Board approving the discontinuation of monthly updates due to compliance with the Electricity Act.
Capital Investment In order to provide an opt-out option to customers, a capital investment was required to modify various NS Power systems to support a new, non-standard meter service. Like many IT investments, this involved the design, b...
AI summary A capital investment was made to modify NS Power systems to support a new, non-standard meter service, allowing customers an opt-out option. The costs are associated with the AMI Project and included in CI 47124. No capital costs were incurred in 2022, 2023, or 2024.
NS Power has approximately 18,140 customers who have opted out. These customers continue to have their meters read manually at the meter every other month, at no additional charge to the customer. NS Power completed a call out campaign to...
AI summary NS Power has approximately 18,140 customers who opted out of AMI meters and are still being read manually. A call-out campaign was conducted in 2021/2022, and in 2023 and 2024, Customer Care focused on completing AMI meter changes requiring customer access. In 2024, NS Power received about 650 calls from opt-out customers.
Opt-out customers in OTA-enabled areas require manual meter reading and receive nonstandard meter service. In 2024, NS Power continued to read these opt-out customers per standard read frequency in accordance with current regulations. Goin...
AI summary Opt-out customers in OTA-enabled areas require manual meter reading, which NS Power conducted in 2024 at a cost of approximately $1.1 million for 100,000 reads. NS Power continues to explore cost-reduction strategies and flexible customer options, as detailed in Appendix 13A of the 2026-2027 GRA.