Topic:"Low Income Programs" in M12451

\ \ 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 On Thu, Sep 4, 2025 at 6:17 PM Sandra LeBlanc wrote...

AI summary Sandra LeBlanc opposes Nova Scotia Power's proposed rate increase, citing unaffordability for low-income individuals and its impact on families fleeing abusive households. She argues the hike will deter vulnerable populations from seeking safety and comfort due to financial constraints.

inuously receive pay raises year after year? When do their salaries stagnate or lower due to the company taking on more debt and Nova Scotians not being able to afford their products/services anymore? 2025 has been a precarious year for af...

AI summary A Nova Scotian single mother of four highlights the financial strain caused by rising electricity costs, housing expenses, and unaffordable power rates. She argues that NSP's rate hikes, combined with stagnant wages and high taxes, are pushing households to the brink of homelessness and hunger, citing her own unmanageable utility bills despite energy efficiency measures.

\ \ 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 Dear Board Members – please say to their request. I...

AI summary Lynn MacDonald opposes a Nova Scotia Power (NSP) rate increase, arguing that seniors and small businesses cannot afford higher costs. She cites NSP's cybersecurity breach as a reason for the rate hike and warns of increased hardship, including more people living in tents. The email urges the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB) to reject the increase.

Customer Growth and Support - Since 2022, NS Power's customer count has increased by 21,000 to approximately 559,000. That - is unprecedented and exciting growth in Nova Scotia in a very short time. This growth has been - driving a 30 perc...

AI summary NS Power reports a 21,000 customer increase since 2022, leading to a 30% surge in work requests. In 2024, they processed 27,000 permits and 44,000 inspections, hired more employees, supported 7,200 new solar customers, reduced residential disconnections by 45%, and implemented payment plans with CA and the Affordable Energy Coalition.

9. Low-Income Customer Collections and Arrears In discussing the need to address concerns about rates for customers, the Board provided the following directive at paragraph 411 of the 2023-2024 GRA Decision: The proposed review and consult...

AI summary The Nova Scotia Energy Board directed NS Power, the Affordable Energy Coalition, and the Consumer Advocate to review the 2013 rate changes and establish a systematic evaluation method. A working group, including these entities, has implemented initiatives to assist low-income customers and those in arrears, with reports due by April 30, 2023.

5. Community Engagement: • Communicate potential shutoffs with stakeholders and the community, especially vulnerable populations. Provide advanced warnings to minimize the impact of shutoff.

AI summary The document emphasizes the importance of communicating potential utility shutoffs to stakeholders and vulnerable communities, highlighting the need for advanced warnings to mitigate adverse impacts.

Community group tried to save homes frombus lane construction JEN TAPLIN It was an attempt to move downtown Halifax homes in the path of demolition for bus lanes to the front of the line to be considered for heritage status. But it didn't...

AI summary A community group, Friends of the Halifax Common, sought heritage status for homes threatened by bus lane construction in Halifax. Their applications were rejected by the Heritage Advisory Committee, which prioritized other cases. The group criticized the lack of assessment on the impact of the project on affordable housing and heritage.

Defined Contribution Plan The Company also provides a defined contribution pension plan for certain employees. The Company's contribution for the year ended December 31, 2024, was $7 million (2023 – $6 million).

AI summary The Company provides a defined contribution pension plan for certain employees, with contributions of $7 million in 2024, up from $6 million in 2023.

ime to hire and ensures alignment with operational needs. The team continues to optimize the system's functionality, always leaning towards continuous improvement. Please also refer to NSEB IR-62 (d). (d) While the idea of a scholarship fo...

AI summary The document discusses challenges in hiring skilled tradespeople, particularly in unionized environments, and highlights NS Power's initiative to partner with NSCC to increase the number of Utility Line Worker graduates. This aims to address the shortage of qualified Apprentice Powerline Technicians.

2026-2027 GRA NSEB IR-85 Confidential Attachment 1 has been removed due to confidentiality. 1 Request IR-86: (a) Customer deposits are included in the line item "Accounts payable and accruals" on NS Power's regulated balance sheet which ca...

AI summary The document discusses NS Power's customer deposits, including how they are collected, returned, and the reasons for their decrease over recent years. It also mentions an increase in low-income customers and the potential for NS Power to waive security deposits for them.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT: - 1. Capital Item #47124 for NS Power's AMI Project in the amount of $133,228,952 is approved, subject to the findings in the Board's Decision. - 2. NS Power is directed to provide a detailed accounting of the us...

AI summary The Board approves NS Power's AMI Project capital item, directs detailed accounting of contingency funds, and mandates timelines for filing tariffs and compliance reports. It also requires NS Power to consider low-income and small business concerns, ensure health and safety information is available, and address opt-out procedures.

BEFORE THE Nova Scotia Energy Board IN THE MATTER OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT - and - IN THE MATTER OF A GENERAL RATE APPLICATION by NOVA SCOTIA POWER INCORPORATED for approval of certain revisions to its Rates, Charges and Regulations Gen...

AI summary The Affordable Energy Coalition highlights Nova Scotia's high energy poverty rate, with 43% of households spending over 6% of their income on energy. They argue that energy access is a human right and that low-income families face difficult choices between essentials like food and heating. The Coalition raises four concerns regarding Nova Scotia Power's General Rate Application.

1. Affordability: Low-Income Households require support to survive a rate hike The issue of affordability most affects low-and-modest-income households. They are the ones who face disconnection most often, and who most often must choose am...

AI summary The document highlights the affordability challenges faced by low-and-modest-income households in Nova Scotia due to rising energy costs. It references Ontario's Electricity Support Program and recommends the adoption of a similar Home Energy Affordability Program in Nova Scotia. The program includes on-bill credits, arrears management, and energy efficiency initiatives. Despite recommendations from the Energy Poverty Task Force, the government has not acted on this proposal.

3. Energy Transition: The transition to zero-carbon energy is momentous and necessary We are amidst the biggest energy-system transformation since NS Power's beginnings. In the zero-carbon future, we will waste much less energy, and the en...

AI summary The transition to zero-carbon energy is essential for reducing climate change impacts and creating affordable energy services. Nova Scotia has made progress in energy efficiency but has slipped in rankings. The Board should increase investments in energy-efficiency retrofits, especially for low-income households, to reduce energy poverty and support economic opportunities from the net-zero transition.

ny must be similarly responsible to the customers who provide it with revenue, and the Authority is empowered to make "pragmatic adjustments" that ensure a balance between investor and consumer interests. Woodbury Water Co., 174 Conn. at 2...

AI summary The Authority requires the Company to meet specific performance metrics to earn full revenue for executive compensation. The Company claims success in two metrics but argues the third is beyond its control. The OCC suggests adjustments due to data-sharing with DSS, which affects the relevance of certain metrics.

rship with local nonprofit organizations. Id. UI also participates in several Connecticut programs that target low-income and distressed municipalities. Interrog. Resp. UPA-18. These programs include: - (1) The Community Partnership Initia...

AI summary UI participates in multiple Connecticut programs targeting low-income and distressed municipalities, including energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives. Some programs are voluntary, while others are mandated by PURA or state frameworks. The company does not clearly distinguish between discretionary and required programs, limiting the Authority's ability to evaluate UI's proactive involvement.

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AI summary The document outlines various regulatory considerations related to energy efficiency, affordability, and program implementation in Nova Scotia. It discusses the importance of fuel-cost-adjustment mechanisms, the role of demand-side management, and the need for equitable access to energy programs. It also highlights the challenges in implementing energy efficiency initiatives and the need for stakeholder engagement.

ection is filed under subsection 93.4(4) or (5) of the Act. 4 (1) The Act is amended by adding the following after section 93.3: Definitions 93.4 (1) The following definitions apply in this section. FABI surplus, of a foreign affiliate (re...

AI summary The text outlines an amendment to the Act, specifically adding definitions under section 93.4. It defines FABI surplus in relation to a foreign affiliate, including specific conditions related to taxable surplus calculations under the Income Tax Regulations.

ductible 248(1), but does not include a natural person or a part- par l’effet de la division 95(2)f.11)(ii)(D)) nership. (contribuable) sur le total des sommes dont chacune re- présente : transaction includes an arrangement or event. (opér...

AI summary The text outlines definitions related to tax regulations, including terms such as 'transaction,' 'transferred capacity,' and provisions under subsection 95(2)f.11)(ii)(D). It discusses revenue from interests and financing of affiliated companies and sums included under specific tax subdivisions.

2 the foreign affiliate’s relevant affiliate écrit en vertu de la présente division selon les interest and financing expenses (as de- modalités réglementaires, fined in subsection 18.2(1)) (determined without regard to this clause and subs...

AI summary The text outlines specific financial calculations related to a foreign affiliate's interest and financing expenses, as well as foreign accrual property losses, under a regulatory framework. These calculations are determined without regard to certain subsections of the Income Tax Regulations.

3 les dépenses d’intérêts et de finance- (determined without regard to this clause, ment de la société affiliée pertinentes clause (D) and subsection 18.2(19)) for the (au sens du paragraphe 18.2(1)) de la socié- taxation year, and té étra...

AI summary The text outlines the determination of interest and finance expenses of a foreign affiliate, excluding specific provisions, and references the foreign affiliate's foreign accrual property loss or income for the taxation year.

transactions that oc- (2) Le paragraphe (1) s’applique aux opérations cur after 2023. se produisant après 2023. 54 (1) Subparagraph (a)(iii) of the description of 54 (1) Le sous-alinéa a)(iii) de l’élément I de la I in subsection 204.2(1.2...

AI summary This text outlines legislative changes related to financial transactions and definitions under a specific Act, particularly focusing on amendments to subsections and the effective date of these changes starting April 1, 2023.

sic customer method. Switching to a basic customer method to determine cost of service, as recommended in a recent decision in Connecticut (Exhibit N-44), could reduce the increase faced by customers. As the Board is aware, this applicatio...

AI summary Nova Scotia Power seeks an 8% rate increase over two years, but stakeholders argue that serial increases burden customers. The Board is urged to adopt multi-year rate structures, citing Section 64A(2B) of the Public Utilities Act. Evidence shows customer financial strain, including arrears and disconnections, following prior rate hikes and storm recovery charges.

INTERNATIONAL REPORTING INC. CERTIFIED COURT REPORTERS volatile energy prices. Affordable Energy has four concerns with Nova Scotia's General Rate Application. One, affordability, immediate support for low-income households. Low- and modes...

AI summary Affordable Energy raises concerns about the impact of rate increases on low-income households in Nova Scotia, highlighting the need for immediate support. They reference Ontario's Electricity Support Program and a Home Energy Affordability Program developed by a multi-stakeholder taskforce, which includes on-bill credits and energy efficiency measures, though no action has been taken yet.

1 probably familiar appeared before the legislative 2 committee with Mr. Gregg back in the fall. He and his 3 team have worked very effectively to find solutions where 4 we're avoiding disconnecting customers or working with 5 customers to...

AI summary The text discusses efforts to avoid disconnecting customers by working with them on energy costs, stemming from the Low Income Advisory Group. This initiative was part of the last General Rate Application and was included in the Board's decision as a direction to pursue.

1 Coalition, who appeared earlier in this proceeding, and it 2 includes other low income advocacy groups, such as the 3 Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Halifax. 4 And the purpose of that group is to 5 identify ways in which low income cu...

AI summary The text discusses a coalition of low-income advocacy groups, including the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Halifax, that works to assist low-income customers with electricity costs. The group meets quarterly and provides annual reports to the Board, analyzing data on disconnections, arrears, and payment plans across different regions of the province to identify solutions for impacted customers.

LIST OF EXHIBITS EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION PAGE NO. 2 possible under the current legislation. 3 That said, I personally have had 4 discussions with representatives from KMKNO about that. 5 Q. Then the letter from the KMKNO 6 also outlines a...

AI summary The text discusses concerns raised by KMKNO regarding socioeconomic vulnerability, inefficient housing, and energy burdens in Mi'kmaw communities. It also addresses supports available for low-income customers and mentions discussions with representatives about these issues.

1 as I mentioned in previous discussion on I believe it 2 was on Friday, that Nova Scotia Power does, in fact, have 3 a low-income advocate itself in-house that assists low- 4 income customers in navigating the billing system and any 5 con...

AI summary The speaker mentions that Nova Scotia Power has an in-house low-income advocate and outlines several programs aimed at assisting low-income customers with energy costs and billing arrears, including HARP, HEAT funds, and a pilot program that forgives interest on arrears. The speaker also highlights efforts by the Director of Customer Service to reduce disconnections by proactively engaging at-risk customers.

NSP GENERAL/REGULATORY PANEL 943 Questions, (Chair) 1 assistance from our low-income advocate, whether that's 2 assistance from other low-income advocacy groups, whether 3 that is engaging them in a discussion about the payment 4 plans tha...

AI summary The discussion focuses on efforts by Nova Scotia Power to engage with low-income advocacy groups to develop effective payment plans for low-income customers. The conversation highlights the importance of regional input and communication in understanding customer needs and available resources.

NSP GENERAL/REGULATORY PANEL 945 Questions, (Chair) 1 and making sure they understand what's available to them. 2 Going back to kind of where the 3 discussion started about a distinct rate, or for rate 4 class, whether it's an Indigenous r...

AI summary The discussion centers on the continuation of conversations regarding distinct rate classes for Indigenous and low-income customers, despite existing legal frameworks. A pilot program and a community grant are mentioned as potential supports, with the latter referenced in a recently filed report. The impact of a recent cyberattack on customer communication and service is also noted.

NSP GENERAL/REGULATORY PANEL 947 Questions, (Chair) 1 those efforts more recently have been focused on those 2 types of burdens and reducing that impact. I think as we 3 move out of that timeframe where we're experiencing those 4 impacts,...

AI summary The discussion centers on Nova Scotia Power's proposed rate increases and their comparison to rates in other Atlantic Canadian provinces. The conversation also touches on ongoing efforts related to the cyberattack and assistance for low-income groups, with reference to a Hydro-Québec report.

1 BY THE CHAIR: 16 look at the ability to fund a conversion to electric heat, 17 whether it be with heat pumps or time-of-day systems, the 18 ability to install solar, I think the and again I'm 19 speaking for others here I'm also a little...

AI summary The discussion highlights concerns about the impact of a cap on electricity usage, particularly on low-income households living in poorly insulated homes. While the cap may benefit higher-income customers who can afford efficiency upgrades, it may be detrimental to low-income individuals who cannot afford such improvements.