Topic:"Regulatory Compliance" in M07151

M07151 - Nova Scotia Power Inc. - DSM Cost Allocation and Recovery (E-R-15) \ 1 The Board's letter of December 3, 2015 directed NSPI to provide details regarding specific cost recovery and accounting treatment of the following DSM componen...

AI summary The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board directed NSPI to detail DSM cost recovery and accounting for 2014-2018 programs, RSA, DCRR, and balance adjustments. The EPIA Act extended DSM contracts to 2019, limited expenditures to $34.05M, and imposed rate-stability restrictions. NSPI announced it would not file a General Rate Application for three years, seeking only fuel cost adjustments below inflation through 2019.

efficiency charges will be included. 1 The Plan provides that new legislation will be introduced in Fall, 2015 to enable rate stability, innovation and competitively priced community solar. Following the changes to electricity policy, NS P...

AI summary Nova Scotia Power Inc. (NSPI) plans to absorb 2016 Demand Side Management (DSM) costs without rate adjustments, citing new legislation for rate stability and community solar. NSPI seeks to defer DSM cost recovery discussions for 2017-2019 and requests a filing extension. DSM expenses are unique due to caps, refunds, and multi-year benefits.

2016-2018 DSM Program Costs On November 10, 2015, following the changes to Nova Scotia's electricity policy, the Company announced that it will not apply for a General Rate Application for 2016. This means that for the 2016 period NS Power...

AI summary NS Power announced in 2015 it would absorb 2015-2016 DSM program costs into existing rates without a General Rate Application. Uncertainty remains for post-2016 costs, with a legislative deadline of April 30, 2016, to determine rate increases. NS Power deferred a decision until a rate application or June 30, 2016, citing unresolved cost absorption plans.

NOVA SCOTIA UTILITY AND REVIEW BOARD IN THE MATTER OF: THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT - and - IN THE MATTER OF: AN APPLICATION by Nova Scotia Power Incorporated ("NSPI") for Approval of the DSM Cost Allocation and Recovery

AI summary The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board is considering an application by Nova Scotia Power Incorporated (NSPI) under the Public Utilities Act for approval of Demand Side Management (DSM) cost allocation and recovery. The proceeding involves regulatory review of NSPI's proposed methodology for recovering DSM program costs from ratepayers.

2015 M07151/E-R-15 NOVA SCOTIA UTILITY AND REVIEW BOARD IN THE MATTER OF: The Public Utilities Act , R.S.N.S. 1989, c.380 as amended IN THE MATTER OF: An Application by EfficiencyOne for Approval of a Supply Agreement for Electricity Effic...

AI summary The document outlines an application by EfficiencyOne for approval of a supply agreement with Nova Scotia Power Inc. and the 2016-2018 Demand Side Management (DSM) Plan. The Industrial Group submitted information requests to NSPI, with responses due January 25, 2016. The proceeding is governed by the Public Utilities Act.

2017-2019 DSM EXPENSE RECOVERY NSPI has requested that any determination on cost recoveryof the 2017-2019 DSM expenses be deferred to the general rate application ("GRA") filing or June 30, 2016 , if there is no GRA application. It has off...

AI summary NSPI requests deferral of 2017-2019 DSM expense recovery to the GRA filing or June 30, 2016, citing forecasting uncertainties and legislative requirements. DSM costs are integrated into general rates, with 2019 capped at $34.05M by legislation. NSPI argues uncertainty in revenue forecasts precludes April 30, 2016, determination, while the Board retains discretion to defer DSM costs.

CONCLUSION To summarize, the Industrial Group recommends: - 1. the Board acknowledge NSPI may properly expense the first year of 2015 DSM costs and all of 2016 DSM costs as operating expenses in 2016; - 2. the Board direct NSPI and E1 to u...

AI summary The Industrial Group recommends that the Board acknowledge NSPI's 2015-2016 DSM cost expensing, direct cost reduction discussions, adjust deferred cost amortization, align DSM cost inclusion with GRA timelines, use BCF for RSA true-ups, retain the current DSM allocation methodology, and accept NSPI's Enabling Strategies proposal. These recommendations address rate design, deferred costs, and DSM implementation.

Allocation of 2015-2018 Program Costs EfficiencyOne supports the Cost of Service Allocation approach provided by NS Power for the allocation of 2015 to 2018 DSM costs. As indicated below, this approach, in EfficiencyOne's view, would: (a)...

AI summary EfficiencyOne supports NS Power's Cost of Service Allocation approach for 2015-2018 DSM costs, citing alignment with legislation, societal benefits, short-term cost recovery, and rate stability. NS Power, under the Public Utilities Act, provides DSM activities to reduce energy demand. The methodology reflects broader recognition of DSM's non-participant benefits and aligns with the 'beneficiary pays' principle.

M07151 - Nova Scotia Power Inc. - DSM Cost Allocation and Recovery (E-R-15) \ 1 The Board's letter of December 3, 2015 directed NSPI to provide details regarding specific cost recovery and accounting treatment of the following DSM componen...

AI summary The Nova Scotia Utility Board directed NSP to detail DSM cost recovery and accounting for 2015-2018 programs, RSA, DCRR, and balance adjustments. The EPIA extended DSM to 2019, limited expenditures to $34.05M, and imposed rate stability. NSP announced no General Rate Application for three years, focusing on fuel cost adjustments.

Board Decision The Board understands that 2013 and 2014 Balance Adjustments have been rolled into the 2015 and 2016 DSM programs, respectively, and accepts that approach. Regarding treatment of the 2015 DSM program costs, which are being a...

AI summary The Board approved NSP's proposal to recover 2015 DSM program costs over eight years, with one-eighth recovered in 2016 and the rest via financing. It denied deferring 2017-2019 DSM cost decisions and cited non-compliance with filing deadlines. NSP's incomplete submission on 2017-2019 costs was noted, with a reference to Board Order M06733.