Nova Scotia rates to jump 5.6 per cent
On January 1 residential ratepayers will see a 5.66 per cent increase in their light bills — about 3.5 per cent to Nova Scotia Power and the rest to an energy conservation program.
Nova Scotia Power says it needs the increase to cover the costs of buying cleaner, more expensive coal, and had originally asked for an immediate 9 per cent increase.
The regulator said in its decision that it accepted the utility's costs as accurate, but Nova Scotia Power will have to go with staggered rate increases over the next three years.
During hearings, some intervenors said that many customers would have seen a more than 10 per cent jump in rates next year.
Industrial customers will see their rates increase almost 7 per cent, while commercial rates will rise 6.2 per cent.
How big the rates hikes will be in 2012 and 2013 will depend on the cost of fuel.
Related News
Sudbury Hydro crews aim to reconnect service after storm
SUDBURY - About 300 Sudbury Hydro customers are still without power Thursday after Monday's powerful microburst storm.
The utility's spokesperson, Wendy Watson, says the power in the affected New Sudbury neighbourhoods should be back on by the weekend.
The storm, which Environment Canada said was classified as a microburst or straight line wind damage, downed a number of power lines in the city.
Now crews are struggling with access to the lines as they work to reconnect service in the area.
"In some cases, you can't get to someone's back yard, or you have to go through the neighbour's yard," Watson said.
"We have one…
