Topic:"Rate Design" in M12647

of home heating, medication, groceries, etc." [para. 110]. The Board also received many letters of comment in the present matter outlining the impact of power rates on low- and fixed-income customers. [411] The proposed review and consulta...

AI summary The Board acknowledges the impact of power rates on low- and fixed-income customers and endorses a review process led by NS Power, the Affordable Energy Coalition, and the Conservation Authority to assess past changes and establish a systematic evaluation methodology for future changes to NS Power's regulations.

DATE FILED: December 19, 2025 Page 3 of 16 1 2.0 LOW-INCOME WORKING GROUP 2 3 This is the third annual update on the CA/AEC/NS Power Low-Income Working Group (Working 4 Group). Following the 2023-2024 NS Power GRA, NS Power met with repres...

AI summary The Low-Income Working Group, comprising the Conservation Authority (CA), Alternative Energy Corporation (AEC), and Nova Scotia Power (NSP), met quarterly in 2025 to address issues affecting low-income customers. Topics included support for customers with late charges, community grants, and billing accuracy. A pilot program was proposed to waive interest charges for customers receiving financial support from charitable institutions, aiming to improve collections and customer relationships.

2.3 Smart Meters and Billing Accuracy - In response to customer complaints and media stories about billing accuracy, NS Power provided - information to the Working Group about smart meters. The information is included in the Q2 - Update on...

AI summary NS Power addressed customer complaints and media concerns about billing accuracy by providing information to the Working Group on smart meters. Over 95% of installed meters are smart meters, and no founded complaints of inaccuracy or overbilling have been reported. Resources are available to help customers lower their bills.

2.4 Community Solar Garden - The Working Group discussed the existence of the NS Power Solar Garden for which subscribers - pay a subscription charge and receive energy credit, and the Community Solar Gardens Program - in which community g...

AI summary The Working Group discussed the NS Power Solar Garden and the Community Solar Gardens Program, which allow subscribers to receive energy credits for clean energy generated by solar gardens. These programs aim to provide access to clean energy for customers who cannot afford their own solar panels, particularly benefiting low-income households.

Equal-Billed Payment Plans Mix - Plans initiated in 2024 have continued to shift materially toward 24-months; while this may reflect customers' struggles with the current economic reality, it also illustrates how NSPI continues to work wit...

AI summary Equal-Billed Payment Plans initiated in 2024 are shifting toward 24-month terms, possibly due to economic challenges faced by customers. However, the average failure point of these plans is shifting earlier, with most failures occurring within the first 3-4 months, consistent with previous years.

Agenda - 1. Discussion around Billing Questions / Meter Accuracy - o Smart Meters & Billing Accuracy next slide. - 2. Late Fee Relief - o Awaiting insight from the board. - 3. Community Grants - o Updates coming late April / May. - 4. Revi...

AI summary The agenda covers billing accuracy, late fee relief, community grants, payment plans, disconnections for non-payment, and a community solar program aimed at low-income customers. Nova Scotia Power discusses efforts to minimize disconnections and the structure of the solar energy credit.

What are the benefits of smart meters? - · Smart meters improve the accuracy of meter reads as compared to manual meter reading by eliminating human error from data input. - Smart meters enable improved billing accuracy by reducing the fre...

AI summary Smart meters enhance billing accuracy by reducing human error and estimates, provide customers with energy usage visibility through the My Energy Insights portal, and allow NS Power to offer diverse rate options tailored to customer needs.

NS Power has launched a billing website to help customers (nspower.ca/billing) - Our meters continue to accurately record usage; we are not able to retrieve this information and apply it to bills. We are estimating bills to customers and c...

AI summary NS Power has launched a billing website to assist customers during a period when accurate meter data is not available. Estimated bills are being issued, and Equal Billing calculations remain accurate. The website is promoted through bill inserts, and Customer Care is available for inquiries.

ation on how smart meters are read and how bills are generated. NS Power also outlined where customers can access resources about bill accuracy and obtain guidance on reducing their electricity costs. Community solar garden subscribers who...

AI summary The document discusses the impact of the 2025 cyber incident on NS Power's smart meters, resulting in estimated bills and suspended late-payment charges. It also highlights the Working Group's efforts to assist low-income customers, including community solar garden programs. The CA and Board Member Nicholson confirmed the Working Group's effectiveness and adherence to the 2022 GRA decision.