Topic:"Regulatory Oversight" in M12149

1.03.01 Joint Use Committee - This Joint Use Agreement will be administered by a Joint Use Committee consisting of two senior managers from each utility. - Each utility shall keep the other informed by letter of the names of its representa...

AI summary The Joint Use Agreement is administered by a Joint Use Committee consisting of two senior managers from each utility. The committee's responsibilities include administering the agreement, promoting long-range planning, recommending amendments, and resolving disputes related to joint use.

Notes: - 1.MT&T normally do not require anchoring facilities to support an unsupported aerial drop wire. - 2.When the owner is unable to meet the required time schedule, the tenant, after consultation with the owner, may place the pole(s)...

AI summary The notes discuss MT&T's policy on anchoring facilities for aerial drop wires and procedures for billing owners when tenants install poles or anchors due to the owner's inability to meet deadlines.

(b) Maintaining Tree Clearing and Trimming - The owner of the line is to assume the cost of maintaining tree clearances on the Joint Use Line, as well as the removal of danger trees, to meet the requirements of both utilities. Where MT&T e...

AI summary The owner of the line is responsible for maintaining tree clearances on the Joint Use Line and removing danger trees, with coordination between MT&T and NSPI when challenges arise. Local operating groups must exchange and schedule their clearing programs annually, with a joint meeting held before July 1 to consolidate plans.

3.10.04 Joint Installation of Poles Where both parties are involved with the installation of a pole, the responsibility of supplying, handling and placement of the pole as well as the supply and installation of pole cover up protection equ...

AI summary The document outlines the responsibilities of the pole owner during the joint installation and removal of poles, including safety procedures and compliance with regulations.

6.03.01 Procedure for Determining Joint Use Pole Ownership - It is a principle of this Agreement that when considering long range joint use planning, one utility should own and maintain all joint use poles within the boundaries of a design...

AI summary This section outlines the procedure for determining joint use pole ownership, emphasizing that one utility should own and maintain all poles within a designated area. Guidelines specify that existing joint use line owners are responsible for extensions and laterals, and in other cases, the dominant pole owner in proximity takes responsibility. Significant new construction requires consultation with Joint Use Coordinators.

NOVA SCOTIA UTILITY AND REVIEW BOARD NOTICE OF PAPER HEARING IN THE MATTER OF an investigation pursuant to s.19 of the Public Utilities Act into certain matters arising from a Joint Use Agreement between NOVA SCOTIA POWER INCORPORATED and...

AI summary The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board is investigating a Joint Use Agreement between Nova Scotia Power Incorporated and Bell Aliant, focusing on potential unreasonable rebate schemes and delays in service connections due to the agreement's processes.

NOVA SCOTIA UTILITY AND REVIEW BOARD NOTICE OF PAPER HEARING IN THE MATTER OF an investigation pursuant to s.19 of the Public Utilities Act into certain matters arising from a Joint Use Agreement between NOVA SCOTIA POWER INCORPORATED and...

AI summary The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board is investigating a Joint Use Agreement between Nova Scotia Power Incorporated and Bell Aliant. The issues include whether the agreement is unreasonable or discriminatory due to differing rebate schemes based on joint-use pole ownership and whether service connection processes are being delayed.

This is a public process, and you may participate as follows: - You may make written comments by sending a letter to the Clerk of the Board at P.O. Box 1692, Unit "M", Halifax, NS B3J 3S3, or by email at: [email protected], or by fax at...

AI summary The document outlines the procedures for public participation in a regulatory proceeding, including submitting written comments and requesting formal intervenor status. It also mentions the importance of providing pronouns and titles for respectful communication during hearings and decisions.

s mutually agreed upon, at their Structural Value, or cost agreed to by both parties. For clarity, this settlement process is separate, and different, from the currently recurring Pole Reconciliation. Nova Scotia Power and Bell Canada agre...

AI summary Nova Scotia Power and Bell Canada are negotiating a new line extension process, with an agreement to be executed by December 31, 2025. If not executed, either party may revert to the previous process. The agreement will detail operational processes and purchasing details. The letter of intent is signed by Tressa St. John, Contract Manager at NSPI.

Turnaround Time The final area identified for improvement was NS Power's turnaround times, both in the Permit Centre and for inspections. In 2023, wait times in the Permit Centre averaged 21 minutes and in 2024 these times improved to 1 mi...

AI summary NS Power improved turnaround times in the Permit Centre and inspections from 2023 to 2024. Wait times in the Permit Centre dropped from 21 minutes to 1 minute, and inspection times improved from four-six weeks to a two-week window. NS Power also made priority inspections more accessible. The two-week inspection window will be maintained as a goal in 2025.

The following timetable will apply to this matter: Notices of Intervention Thursday, April 10, 2025 Board staff Information Requests (IRs) to NS Power Thursday, May 15, 2025 NS Power IR Responses Friday, June 6, 2025 Evidence by NS Power F...

AI summary The timetable for the regulatory proceeding outlines key dates for notices of intervention, information requests, evidence submissions, and letters of comment. The Board's Regulatory Rules will apply, including specific filing deadlines.

The following amended timetable will apply to this matter: staff Information Requests Board (IRs) to Power NS Monday, 2025 May 26, Power Responses NS IR Monday, June 2025 16, Evidence Power by NS Tuesday, July 2025 8, Power from Intervenor...

AI summary An amended timetable for the regulatory proceeding has been established, outlining key dates for information requests, evidence submissions, and final submissions by Power and intervenors. The Board's Regulatory Rules , including Rule 7(3), will apply to the proceeding.

IN THE MATTER OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT - and - IN THE MATTER OF an investigation pursuant to s.19 of the Public Utilities Act into certain matters arising from a Joint Use Agreement between NOVA SCOTIA POWER INCORPORATED and BELL ALIANT...

AI summary The Board has approved a Letter of Intent regarding the Joint Use Agreement between Nova Scotia Power Incorporated and Bell Aliant, provided it is properly implemented. The decision addresses potential unjust discrimination issues and delays, with reporting directed from NS Power.

connections and disconnections were handled under the Joint Use Agreement. The other complaint was about the different rebate schemes available to customers depending on whether NS Power or Bell owned the jointly used utility poles. The NS...

AI summary The NSUARB investigated issues related to rebate schemes and service delays under the Joint Use Agreement between NS Power and Bell. The investigation was initiated under the Public Utilities Act. The NSUARB was succeeded by the Nova Scotia Energy Board following the proclamation of the Energy and Regulatory Boards Act in April 2025.

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 be based on the NS Power rebate scheme after coordination with Bell. The Board agrees, noting that the Regulations were not designed for the Joint Use Agreement structure and that different treatment of customers based on pole ownership was inequitable.

IN THE MATTER OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT - and - N THE MATTER OF an investigation pursuant to s.19 of the Public Utilities Act into certain matters arising from a Joint Use Agreement between NOVA SCOTIA POWER INCORPORATED and BELL ALIANT...

AI summary The document pertains to an investigation under the Public Utilities Act, concerning a Joint Use Agreement between Nova Scotia Power Incorporated and Bell Aliant.

ORDER The Board decided to initiate this proceeding because of two individual complaints processed in 2024-2025. One complaint related, in part, to the way service connections and disconnections were handled under the Joint Use Agreement....

AI summary The Board initiated a proceeding based on two complaints regarding service connections, disconnections, and rebate schemes under the Joint Use Agreement. The investigation focuses on whether the agreement is unreasonable or discriminatory and whether service processes are being delayed. A Letter of Intent was filed by NS Power with Bell, and the Board approved its formalization in its March 2026 decision.

TO: Crystal Henwood Regulatory Affairs Officer/Clerk of the Board Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board 3rd Floor Summit Place 1601 Lower Water Street Halifax NS B3J 3S3

AI summary This document is a letter addressed to Crystal Henwood, a Regulatory Affairs Officer/Clerk of the Board at the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, located at 3rd Floor Summit Place, 1601 Lower Water Street, Halifax, NS B3J 3S3.

NOVA SCOTIA ENERGY BOARD IN THE MATTER OF: The PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT -and- IN THE MATTER OF: An Investigation pursuant to s. 19 of the Public Utilities Act into certain matters arising from a Joint Use Agreement between NOVA SCOTIA POWER IN...

AI summary This document pertains to an investigation under the Public Utilities Act into a Joint Use Agreement between Nova Scotia Power Incorporated and Bell Aliant.

NOVA SCOTIA ENERGY BOARD IN THE MATTER OF: THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT - and - IN THE MATTER OF: an investigation pursuant to s.19 of the Public Utilities Act into certain matters arising from a Joint Use Agreement between NOVA SCOTIA POWER I...

AI summary The Nova Scotia Energy Board is investigating matters under the Public Utilities Act related to a Joint Use Agreement between Nova Scotia Power Incorporated and Bell Aliant.

Request IR-2: - In a decision letter dated initiating this process following a complaint by Dr. Clarence Felderhof - about the differing rebate schemes offered by Bell Aliant and NS Power when power lines were - installed (see: Matter M118...

AI summary The document requests estimates on the cost implications of NS Power not having access to Bell Aliant's poles under the Joint Use Agreement (JUA), including installation costs, annual OM&G costs, and other economic benefits of the JUA. The context involves a complaint about differing rebate schemes and a Board comment on the JUA's cost-saving benefits.

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 schem...

AI summary The Board is seeking NS Power's views on whether maintaining distinct rebate schemes based on pole ownership under the JUA aligns with regulatory principles of equity and non-discrimination.

1 Request IR-1: 2 3 Reference: Exhibit N-1, Joint Use Agreement 4 5 (a) Has the Joint Use Agreement ("JUA") been amended at any time since Mach 31, 1993? 6 7 (b) The JUA is now over 30 years old. Has NS Power ever engaged in a review of th...

AI summary This request asks whether the Joint Use Agreement (JUA) has been amended since March 31, 1993, and whether NS Power has reviewed the JUA to update or amend it since that date.

IN THE MATTER OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT - and - IN THE MATTER OF an investigation pursuant to s.19 of the Public Utilities Act into certain matters arising from a Joint Use Agreement between NOVA SCOTIA POWER INCORPORATED and BELL ALIANT...

AI summary The Board has approved a Letter of Intent regarding the Joint Use Agreement between Nova Scotia Power Incorporated and Bell Aliant, provided it is properly implemented. The decision addresses potential issues of unjust discrimination and delays, with reporting directed from NS Power.

- [1] NS Power and Maritime Telegraph & Telephone Company Ltd. (MT&T) entered into a Joint Use Agreement for utility poles dated March 31, 1993. Bell Canada, through its subsidiary, Bell Aliant (jointly referred to as Bell), is a successor...

AI summary NS Power and Bell have a 1993 Joint Use Agreement for shared utility poles, administered collaboratively. The agreement aims to reduce infrastructure costs by avoiding duplication. As of June 2025, NS Power owns 70.92% of the poles, while Bell owns 29.08%. The NSUARB initiated a proceeding based on two customer complaints related to service handling and rebate schemes.

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.

r the new process, with no reported drawbacks, no backlog of customer requests, and shorter timelines based on operational feedback, even though detailed performance metrics are currently unavailable. [21] The Board has little empirical ev...

AI summary The Board acknowledges the new process under the Joint Use Agreement, which is expected to reduce delays and improve coordination, despite limited empirical evidence on prior delays and the absence of detailed performance metrics. NS Power has noted additional initiatives that may further reduce delays.