Emera applies to import U.S. power

Emera Energy U.S. Subsidiary No. 1 Inc. applied January 29 to renew its authority to export to Canada surplus power from U.S. utilities, federal power marketing agencies and other entities within the U.S.

The energy-trading arm of the company has asked regulators for "expedited treatment" of its application.

Emera officials are tight-lipped about the company importing electricity to Canada.

NSP spokeswoman Margaret Murphy said the application is to obtain a licence to bring electricity from New York and New England into Canada for a number of different customers.

She declined to say who those customers are, how much electricity is being imported, and if NSP is one of the customers.

"For business reasons I believe that is all they will say about it," wrote Ms. Murphy in an email.

According to quarterly reports submitted by Emera to U.S. regulators, electricity exports from the U.S. to Canada for the second and third quarters of 2008 amounted to almost [US]$47 million in sales.

Emera Energy U.S. is a Delaware corporation formed under Delaware law, which can be formed quickly and easily. Its principal place of business is located in a suite in Kittery, Maine. The company is seeking to renew its licence, which was previously granted on April 19, 2004, and is set to expire on April 19.

In its nine-page application, Emera states it has seven other subsidiaries that have received electricity export authorization.

In renewing the licence it will "not adversely affect reliability, fuel use, or system ability. It will also not impair the sufficiency of electric supply or impede regional co-ordination," states Emera in documents filed with the energy department.

It also states that any energy sold into the Canadian market will be "power surplus to the power needs in the United States" and notes that "the marketplace throughout the United States is highly competitive with substantial surplus power available to purchase during much of the year."

Before regulators make a decision there is a public comment period until March 12, and an environmental assessment process.