Lori Clark is the first N.B. Power president to appear in person to answer questions at a rate hearing since David Hay did it more than a decade ago. (Jonathan Collicott/CBC News)
A scheduled nine-day hearing into N.B. Power's request for an 8.9 per cent rate increase has begun in front of the Energy and Utilities Board, and an intense early grilling from a lawyer representing one of its largest customers suggests it could be a long two weeks.
Nancy Rubin, counsel for J.D. Irving Ltd, criticized pay and performance at the utility and suggested N.B. Power acting president Lori Clark was delivering rehearsed statements instead of answering questions — all in the first few minutes of the hearing.
"Ms. Clark, can you listen to my questions," Rubin responded after one answer she considered unsatisfactory.
"I know you have information to communicate, but …"
Halifax lawyer Nancy Rubin is representing J.D. Irving Ltd. at N.B. Power's rate hearing. She levelled several criticisms at the utility's performance. (Jonathan Collicott/CBC News)
Rubin also clashed with N.B. Power lawyer John Furey over whether the Crown corporation has been properly adhering to EUB guidance published in previous decisions on how to balance competing duties to stay financially viable but keep rates low and stable for customers.
Furey suggested Rubin's question was disingenuous.
"She can read them herself," Furey said of the EUB decisions that touch on the issue.
"I suspect she already has. She probably knows the answer to the question. To ask me to go do that research for JDI, I object. I don't think that's appropriate."
EUB chair Francois Beaulieu sided with Furey, but Rubin made it clear J.D. Irving is not happy with the proposed rate increase and will be fighting it vigorously.
Francois Beaulieu, chair of the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board, is presiding over a nine-day hearing into N.B. Power's request to raise rates 8.9 per cent. (Jonathan Collicott/CBC News)
The utility is also facing questions from lawyers representing other industries, competitors, municipal utilities, the public and the EUB itself.
It is N.B. Power's first appearance at a rate hearing in three years, and the utility is making the case that its financial situation has turned dire.
Pandemic upheavals, supply chain problems, runaway inflation and performance troubles at generating stations, especially the Point Lepreau nuclear plant, have battered the utility in different ways.
With its rates climbing just 3.8 per cent in three years during those troubles Clark told the hearing N.B. Power is in need of an infusion of new money.
N.B. Power has seven panels of witnesses prepared to testify at its rate hearing. The utility began with a group of senior executives, including acting president Lori Clark. (Jonathan Collicott/CBC News)
"As much as we dislike rate increases for our customers we also have a fiduciary responsibility to ensure that we are covering our costs as a utility," said Clark, who is the first president to personally appear at a rate hearing since David Hay more than a decade ago.
In total, seven N.B. Power witness panels are scheduled to testify about all aspects of the company's operations during the hearing. Additional experts hired by the Energy and Utilities Board and the public intervener will also give evidence.
Robert Jones has been a reporter and producer with CBC New Brunswick since 1990. His investigative reports on petroleum pricing in New Brunswick won several regional and national awards and led to the adoption of price regulation in 2006.
Methinks Mr Jones will be updating us about the circus in short order N'esy Pas?
Roy Kirk
Where is the hearing being held?
Roy Kirk
Reply to Roy Kirk
Found it on the EU B website: Location: Fredericton Convention Centre, 670 Queen Street, Fredericton, NB
David Amos
Reply to Roy Kirk
Keep digging and you will find my Intervention etc
Dianne MacPherson
The article fails to mention the name of
the person representing the 'lowly ' ratepayer
in this Hearing .
That's the person I want to hear from !!
David Amos
Reply to Dianne MacPherson
I'm that guy
David Amos
Reply to Dianne MacPherson
Trust that this dude has my number
Auditor general reproaches N.B. Power for financial barriers to energy efficiency
Report by Auditor General Paul Martin also questions high salaries for utility executives
Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Feb 24, 2022 11:11 AM
Marc Martin
And the big corporation does not want to pay more AGAIN. I bet you Higgy will interfere so that they don't have to pay more...
Dianne MacPherson
Reply to Marc Martin
You are getting your Premiers mixed up...
that was NS's Premier Houston .
He did a real job of "interfering" in
their latest rate increase.
Marc Martin
Reply to Dianne MacPherson
I said Higgy WILL interfere......
David Amos
Reply to Dianne MacPherson
FYI I dealt with that matter as well
Dianne MacPherson
Reply to David Amos
Your day has come and gone !
David Amos
Reply to Dianne MacPherson
How so? I am intervening right now and there is another hearing in May
BTW Don't bother calling me now
Bobby Burke
Just spent about an hour attempting to find Author Peter C Newman, who wrote a book on the Irving’s. Must have destroyed it. In it, in part, KC addressed some issues for success 1. Eliminate the competition. 2. Never give money away. 3. Taxes are for losers. There was a forth, but I forget it. Anyone else know of the book?
David Amos
Reply to Bobby Burke
I was talking to Petey Baby's old lawyer Mr Levine not that long ago
David Amos
Reply to Bobby Burke
BTW I never read or even heard of Newman's book about them but I understand that "Citizens Irving" by John DeMont which I treasure is a rare find as well
David Amos
Methinks the best part of the circus today was when one clown called another clown disingenuous and the ringmaster agreed N'esy Pas?
David Amos
"EUB chair Francois Beaulieu sided with Furey, but Rubin made it clear J.D. Irving is not happy with the proposed rate increase and will be fighting it vigorously."
Go Figure
N.B. Power to spend $3.4 million of proposed rate hike on higher industrial subsidies
Utility's planned 8.9 per cent rate increase applies to all customers, except 6 pulp and paper mills
Robert Jones · CBC News · Posted: Oct 11, 2022 6:00 AM ADT
"New Brunswick's six pulp and paper mills will not be made to pay the same 8.9 per cent increase for electricity next April as other customers of N.B. Power, evidence filed with the Energy and Utilities Board shows.
Last week the utility announced plans to raise rates 8.9 per cent "across the board" to all customers to address its rising expenses. Acting N.B. Power president Lori Clark said financial problems the utility faces in the next year are significant and require every customer to contribute equally to address them."
"But in a 200-page evidence package submitted with the application to the EUB, the utility revealed it will be using $3.4 million of the $135.8 million higher rates are expected to generate to raise subsidies it supplies to six New Brunswick pulp and paper mills.
Part of that will cover an expected increase in the consumption of power by the mills next year, but some will partially shield facilities from having to pay the full cost of increased rates.
The mills include three owned by J.D. Irving Ltd. in east Saint John, west Saint John and Lake Utopia, two owned by the AV group in Nackawic and Atholville and the mill in Edmundston owned by Twin Rivers.
According to N.B. Power's evidence, transfers to the mills will increase 30 per cent, from an estimated $11.3 million this year to $14.7 million next year. "
David Amos
Reply to David Amos
CHAIRPERSON: Thank you. I am just wondering if Mr. Amos has arrived or Mr. Daly? All right. So Mr. Furey, if you want to call your first panel?
MR. FUREY: Thanks you, Mr. Chair. I will ask NB Power’s Panel A to come forward to be sworn.
David Amos
Reply to David Amos
Guess whose fault it was that I was a noshow today
Jim Beam
Reply to David Amos
your alarm clock?
David Amos
Reply to David Amos
Do tell Mr York that G4TR may ring some bells with the cops
David Amos
Reply to Jim Beam
YO Ye with a fake name feel free to guess again
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Go Figure whose fault it was that I was a noshow today
NEW BRUNSWICK ENERGY and UTILITIES BOARD
Matter 541
Relating to an application by New Brunswick Power Corporation pursuant to subsection 103(1) of the Electricity Act for approval of the Schedule of Rates for the fiscal year commencing April 1st 2023.
Held at the Fredericton Convention Centre, Fredericton, N.B. on February 13, 2023.
CHAIRPERSON: Ms. Rubin, is there any preliminary issues on behalf of your client that you wish to -- that we deal with before we start the first panel?
MS. RUBIN: No, Mr. Chair. Thank you.
CHAIRPERSON: Thank you. And Mr. Hoyt?
MR. HOYT: Nothing, Mr. Chair.
CHAIRPERSON: Thank you. Mr. Stoll?
MR. STOLL: Nothing.
CHAIRPERSON: Mr. Williams?
MR. WILLIAMS: Nothing from me, Mr. Chair.
CHAIRPERSON: And Ms. Herrington?
MS. HERRINGTON: No, Mr. Chair, thank you.
CHAIRPERSON: Thank you. I am just wondering if Mr. Amos has arrived or Mr. Daly? All right. So Mr. Furey, if you want to call your first panel?
MR. FUREY: Thanks you, Mr. Chair. I will ask NB Power’s Panel A to come forward to be sworn.
PANEL A
MS. LORI CLARK, MR. DARREN MURPHY, MR. BRAD COADY, sworn.
CHAIRPERSON: And I am going to ask Ms. Otis from the Board just to come and swear the panel members.
So for the record, the three panel members, Ms. Clark, Mr. Murphy and Mr. Coady have been sworn.
MR. FUREY: Thank you, Mr. Chair.
CHAIRPERSON: Thank you. Whenever you are ready, Mr. Furey.
DIRECT EXAMINATION BY MR. FUREY:
Q. - Ms. Clark, I wonder if you could introduce yourself to the Board, please.
MS. CLARK: Good morning. My name is Lori Clark. I am the President and CEO of NB Power, and I have testified for this Board many times.
David Amos
"As much as we dislike rate increases for our customers we also have a fiduciary responsibility to ensure that we are covering our costs as a utility," said Clark, who is the first president to personally appear at a rate hearing since David Hay more than a decade ago."
Too Too Funny
David Amos
Reply to David Amos
Methinks Higgy and Minister Mikey have a fiduciary responsibility to see that the Crown Corporation they oversee is finally audited just like Hydro Quecbec is N'esy Pas?
Deja Vu Anyone???
NB Power management at fault for missed debt targets, says auditor general
Social Sharing
Debt reduction is "not a priority" at Crown corporation, said Kim Adair-Macpherson
Robert Jones · CBC News · Posted: Feb 23, 2021 5:07 PM AST
Rosco holt
Reply to David Amos
She won't be around for long. She will take the same path has Hay.
David Amos
Reply to Rosco holt
Of that have no doubt.
You do know I am an Intervener in the matter Correct?
Lou Bell
Reply to David Amos
Don't forget to mention your confiscated Harley ! And that you're an American ! I'm sure you won't !
David Amos
Reply toLou Bell
Everybody knows my Harley was stolen by the Fat Fred City Finest. Furthermore if I am a Yankee as you falsely claim why do you constantly tease me about the elections I ran in Canada?
Methinks its time for you to back away from the butter tarts and have another nap before your buddy Maggie bursts upon the scene N'esy Pas?
Lou Bell
Reply to David Amos
Actually , you made claims as to being a dual citizen and regulations for crossing the border were different for you than most others .
David Amos
Reply toLou Bell
Methinks you old pal Cardy should have explained my lawsuit to you long ago Even Higgy's latest Justice Minister is clever enough to know I am no dual citizen nor is my wife but two of my three children certainly are N'esy Pas?
Lou Bell
Reply to David Amos
And I never knew anything about you and your Harley until YOU revealed it here on this site . That's the thing about sites like this . Once you put it on there , it just doesn't disappear . And furthermore , great for anyone who wants to step up and run for public office TO REPRESENT OTHERS . That's what it's all about , getting elected to office and representing all people , be it Municipal , Provincial , or Federal . But not so when they step forward just to represent themselves .
David Amos
Reply toLou Bell
Libel is a criminal act Methinks you need a lawyer N'esy Pas?
Harvey York
Reply to David Amos
I'll admit that Lou is off her rocker sometimes, I mean some of her posts are pretty out there....but I'd say she's got you pegged, old boy.
David Amos
Reply toHarvey York
At least she has a real name and address
Rosco holt
Residential customers need proper representation at the EUB. But government won't allow it.
David Amos
Reply to Rosco holt
What am I chopped liver???
Harvey York
Reply to David Amos
pretty much....
David Amos
Reply toHarvey York
Trust that I was talking about you and your pal Al today
Harvey York
Reply to David Amos
Somehow that doesn't surprise me whatsoever. You do know that talking to yourself doesn't count for much eh?
David Amos
Reply toHarvey York
It was your fault that I was a noshow today Correct?
Jimmy Sherman
Content Deactivated
Reply to David Amos
David I've followed you for a few years and I gotta say that you have been pretty much on the ball. Times they are a shifting and it ain't pretty. Once the Digital ID is established they will pretty much control all. Only those in full compliance will get a bone thrown at them. History is repeating itself. We do have some hope though. They didn't get us all with their first mandate and some more have finally awakened. It will be a very interesting year. The battle is being fought. The winner will go either way.
David Amos
Reply to Jimmy Sherman
Thank you for that
Harvey York
Reply to David Amos
How's that? Was I supposed to give you a ride or something? I must have missed that request. Sorry old chap!
David Amos
Reply toHarvey York
Did you forget I published your words and emailed them as well?
Garbage Can
Content Deactivated
Hopefully Irving will look out for all NBers and stop this insane increase
Rosco holt
Reply to Garbage Can
You are kidding right?
Irving looks out for Irving. They don't care about us peasants.
Sam Smithers
Reply to Rosco holt
Businesses look out for their own business first, this is not an Irving trait, it is a big business trait. Others from other provinces must laugh their butts off and how obsessed people in this province are with Irving who employs more than anyone else, not to mention spin off jobs.
Shawn Tabor
Reply to Sam Smithers
This is very good Sam. You hit the nail on the head. Now they have to look at Business and what they teach or have taught. Something wrong with this so called Business. A stepping stone though. This will take years and require that the rules change. Do not hold your breath tho. I know that Irving group of companies or Businesses always promoted, Whatever way we did it today, their was a better way tomarrow. This worked, but it made promotion or the next level good and bad, cut each others throats or made for some really bad stuff to happened. But who cared, they profited. There was a big mistake one time, more then 20 years in the making, it was owning gas stations down the Eastern seaboard. They spent milllions to aquire someones elses chain of gas stations and other assets. They got shut down at that time. A group thought that they would have a monopoly and too much control. Like they have it here now in little NB. Just saying, a true story. These folks are an example or a very good example of how much is really too much. But these folks are like many big Businesses are, all over the country and i guess the big rock that we are living on. History has shown us, this does not last or does not end well. If you study them or any other large Businesses you can see the common denominators. I do not dislike them, just some of the humans that they employ that will cut anyones throat in order to achieve. Not sure if i made my point, but in time this will become Crystal CLEAR. I think the days of more and more and more is not working out so good. Have a great day. Work hard and smile, it feels better and is more natural.
David Amos
Reply to Shawn Tabor
Give your head a shake Do you really think you are dealing with "The Deacon of Death"-Sam Smithers???
Shawn Tabor
Reply to Shawn Tabor
Oh i met and served a little ole man that wore a funny little hat on his head, Scottish i believe. Very pleasant and very nice. He give me a quarter and told me that i kept my washrooms clean after i filled up his car. He didn’t have to give me anything, but he did. Things that you do not forget.
David Amos
Reply to Rosco holt
C'est Vrai
Shawn Tabor
Reply to Shawn Tabor
Min wage was 2.85. They were my gas pumps i thought and no one was going to buy or purchase gas without getting their windshield cleaned, just me and my crazy dreams at that time. I went out after and earned an electrician license but returned to become an apprentice restaurant manager. Thats when i learned more about what business was like. I lasted 11 months i believe. That was it for that group. Today i chase gold in the mining world or any other elements that they tell me to fetch, all done as a team.
Shawn Tabor Reply to David Amos
Hey i know you, I remember quite clear who you are. Another thing that you do not forget. Yes I remember well. I guess your retired now, collecting a big ole Canadien pension. Life is good i bet.
David Amos
Reply to Shawn Tabor
Shame on you
Shawn Tabor Reply to Garbage Can
Oh look, there is another chunk of Gold
Jimmy Sherman
Content Deactivated
Reply to Shawn Tabor
Unfortunately Shawn the dream that we had is gone. You remember the Saint John Shipyard. Good times. I had a ball. Your Grandchildren are in for a lot of hurt. The new norm will be a lot will be owned. The digital ID will be here in a few years. We were a part of the problem. Our generation was owned and now it is going to be a lot worse.
Don Corey
Reply to Garbage Can
They're not looking out for NB'ers. We're on our own, but might benefit a bit regardless from their efforts.
David Amos
Reply to Garbage Can
Methinks you and the "Deacon of Death" wannabe have been reminded of the rules before N'esy Pas?
"To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted."
Elizabeth Thimlar
Irving is looking out for Irving’s… do not think they are looking out for the taxpayers of NB. They already pay less taxes as well as less for power than anyone else. That’s one reason Why we can’t get ahead… woodlots owners are shafted and they are paying little or nothing for the use of crown land.
Don Corey
Reply to Elizabeth Thimlar
Well, you're absolutely right that Irving is looking out for themselves, and nobody else.
But why shouldn't they? All businesses want to keep their costs as low as possible.
In their case, power is a huge expense in operating pulp and paper mills.
That's one of the big reasons why most of the big mills in the province are now history (the biggest one is the cost of wood; the next is wages and benefits).
You're also right as far as crown wood being less costly than from woodlot owners, but I guess that's not really relevant to this article.
David Amos
Reply to Don Corey
Methinks you should understand why I just called and left a voicemail for an old guy camped In Campbellton N'esy Pas?
Deborah Reddon
Reply to Don Corey
Irving receives subsidies on almost everything they do. It seems the Province believes no other company would be interested in working in NB so they must be treated better than the same industries which operate in other parts of Canada. It's time for the residents of NB to receive proper compensation from Irving.
Kate LeBlanc
Looks like the 9 day hearing will be taken up mostly by NB Power over kill crew justifying the outrageous hike and big corporations like JDI angling for another subsidization or reduction from their present rate and/or their future. So much for the public input, the public who are already battling the increasingly higher costs of providing a warm shelter, and enough food to exist. The haves piling it on some more against the have nots. Good job Higgs and co.!
David Amos
Reply to Kate LeBlanc
"So much for the public input"
Methinks I am part that public N'esy Pas?
Benoit Boudreau
you and your n'esy pas... i look forward to when you go away
David Amos
Reply to Benoit Boudreau
Methinks you say hey to Higgy et al for me when I'm gone N'esy Pas?
Kirk Gordon
Yet another useless CEO, obviously appointed because she knows the right people. NB's pork barrel approach to leadership is so entrenched that we'll never amount to anything except as a bottomless trough for the top level wallowers.
Benoit Boudreau
Reply to Kirk Gordon
Irving shilling much?
Kirk Gordon
Reply to Benoit Boudreau
How on earth did you get that as your take away?
David Amos
Reply to Kirk Gordon
Its called gas lighting
Benoit Boudreau
Don't take Irving's profits away!! They have to hide them under a numbered company at a bank in Barbados!
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Benoit Boudreau
How would you know unless you are their courier with the brown bag?
Mack Leigh
How in the he?? is the common person supposed to exist ? 8.9 percent for hydro and everything else on the rise as well. Everything increasing except people's income. Basic needs of a roof over our heads and food on the table now becoming a luxury. Hydro increases to pay for the " overhead and expenses " ? How about a forensic audit and implementing cost cutting measures such as getting rid of fat bonuses, excess administration and all of the fluff that goes with it. Time to stop bleeding the people of this province dry..... period. Also time to make sure that large corporations are paying their share.
David Amos
Reply to Mack Leigh
Methinks because I Intervene I must exist N'est-ce pas?
K. Ride
An in-depth audit by an outside company was done last year and cost-cutting is in effect.
Paul Bolton
I don't think either JDI or NB Power have the average NBer's interest hidden in their paper shuffle.
Samuel Champlain
Reply to Paul Bolton
Any business has the interest of their company and employees first, this is not something isolated to Irving.
Jim Lake
Reply to Samuel Champlain
Company - yes, employees - maybe, customers - definitely not. Responsible companies should be able to balance all three.
David Amos
Reply to Paul Bolton
Methinks everybody would agree with that N'esy Pas?
marc lapointe
Reply toDavid Amos
N'est-ce pas ?
The French expression n'est-ce pas (pronounced "nes-pah") is what grammarians call a tag question. It's a word or short phrase that is tagged on to the end of a statement, to turn it into a yes-or-no question. It is a question added to a declarative sentence to engage, verify, or confirm. Question tags use the auxiliary verb in the opposite form of the sentence itself.
Dennis J Murphy
Reply to Paul Bolton
Thanks for that explanation. Having seen so mant of those "n'est-ce-pas" over the last few years, and most often by Mr Amos, it just never felt right, and actually irratated me. Now I know why: It was used incorrectly. Thank you, again.
David Amos
Reply to marc lapointe
Ever heard of Chiac?
David Amos
Reply to Dennis J Murphy
Methinks many Acadians would agree thats its incredibly comical that Anglos are always the most offended by my having fun with Chiac N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Reply to Jim Lake
Methinks everybody knows you are not conferring with the ghost of Samuel Champlain N'esy Pas?
Marcel Belanger
Reply to marc lapointe
Same thing as adding "right" at the end of a sentence, right?
David Amos
Reply to Marcel Belanger
Or "Eh" Correct?
John Dale
Of course JDI will try to protect its interests. Any successful business operates in that fashion. However, there are a significant number of high quality jobs and community interests bound up with the continued operation of NB pulp and paper mills. This sector already confronts tremendous challenges in an era of burgeoning electronic media. NB Power needs to explore the expense side of its balance sheet and evaluate the sustainability of bloated pensions to retirees and fiscally irresponsible payouts to executives. There are considerable savings to be accrued in these areas.
Jim Beam
Reply to John Dale
They might as well be printing money. Don't let them fool you into thinking they are struggling. We have subsidized them for long enough.
David Amos
Content Deactivated
Reply to Jim Beam
Methinks you should check my work instead of merely making fun of my troubles with the cops N'esy Pas?
Bobby Burke
Reply to Jim Beam
Hope your referring to ‘The Family’, rather than NB Power
Bobby Burke
Reply to Jim Beam
Hope your referring to the Empire in your statement, if so, ...“Bang On”!
Joe Smith
The fix is in and this is just a show trial. JDI is really just throwing up a smoke screen trying to show they are shocked at an increase, that in many cases they won’t be paying. This is a distraction, so the public does not focus on how good a power deal they currently get and protect it from public scrutiny.
David Amos
Reply to Joe Smith
Bingo
Marc Bourque
When will the ordinary citizen get a freaking break! Our backs are already broken!’ What else do you want arm,kidney or a lung?
Lou Bell
Reply to Marc Bourque
Well somone needs to pay for all that debt wrung up by the Liberals !
Rosco holt
Reply to Lou Bell
Your conservatives contributed to that debt. Orimulsion deal. Lepreau refurb just to name a few.
Samuel Champlain
Content Deactivated
Reply to Rosco holt
Lepreau refurb is taken care of by NB Power, and this gov't did not build LePreau, understand what you are posting before posting it.
David Amos
Reply to Rosco holt
Oh So True
David Amos
Reply to Samuel Champlain
Do you?
Samuel Champlain
Reply to Rosco holt
Lepreau refurb is taken care of by NB Power.
Samuel Champlain
Reply to David Amos
Methinks you should worry more about why you are not allowed in many buildings.
David Amos
Reply to Samuel Champlain
Methinks you need a lawyer N'esy Pas?
A.R. Bungay
“Funny” NBP don’t mention all the bloated staff at the top who will they step away will get very large Golden Hand Shakes. All this must be taken into account but especially the failures of NBP to reign in those costs due to mismanagement.
Rosco holt
Reply to A.R. Bungay
Those who receive golden handshake are for the most part patronage positions, put in place by previous governments.
A.R. Bungay
Reply to Rosco holt
Pretty much the board members and the CEO and the other “managers”. What a waste of money. This power company should have been sold to Quebec Hydro back in the Graham days.
Rosco holt
Reply to A.R. Bungay
All these people will end up else where in government leeching tax payers money.
Hydro Quebec only wanted distribution and we would have paid dearly. The sale wasn't to benefit NBers but Irving.
Quebec Hydro aren't known for their service.
David Amos
Reply to Rosco holt
Methinks that at least we would have been rid of huge debt and all the patronage appointments as well. Furthermore Hydro Quebec promised that we would pay the same rates for power that the French folks north of us do N'esy Pas?
rayma allaby
we are expected to believe that nb power cares about rate payers....i don't buy it
David Amos
Reply to rayma allaby
I never did
Christine Martinez
Irving gets what it wants in this province. Wait & see.
Unfortunately, NB Power will need to gouge the same revenue from elsewhere, meaning that Joe Ratepayer will be expected to make up the difference.
NB Power's logic is flawed. They are still assuming that the Average Joe is an endless money supply. This article states that they need to make up the shortfall. Whoever said that NB Power customers (private citizens) are in a financial position to provide it? Can't get blood from a stone.
Rosco holt
Reply to Christine Martinez
It's government logic not NBPower's. Government forces the utility to give the generous subsidy to Irving.
Christine Martinez
Reply to Rosco holt
That was exactly my point. The government will continue to do so, which means NB Power will turn to everyone else to make up the difference they were expecting to get from Irving.
Rosco holt
Reply to Christine Martinez
In reality everything that Irving doesn't pay NBers are forced to pay.
A.R. Bungay
Reply to Christine Martinez
Seniors, disabled persons and low income earners will really feel the hit from a 8.9% will cause. And then the small business owners who can barely breathe right now could be forced out of business due to loss of “power” due to the above peoples not having enough money to spend.
David Amos
Reply to Rosco holt
Why not pick up the phone and talk to me???
Matter 541
Relating to an application by New Brunswick Power Corporation
pursuant to subsection 103(1) of the Electricity Act for approval of
the Schedule of Rates for the fiscal year commencing April 1st 2023.
Public Forum
Held via Videoconferencing, on January 30, 2023
at 2:00 p.m.
Chairperson: So thank you again, Ms. Krammer, for your -- for the presentation.
And I am just going to ask Ms. Wilson if she has any questions for
you?
Ms. Krammer: Will there be ever an opportunity for me to get my
questions answered?
Chairperson: Look, there is people that are -- that are from the
utility here today. So and you did mention Mr. Amos, so Mr. Amos is
an intervener. So if you wish to ask those questions through Mr.
Amos, I am pretty sure that he will have the ability to ask those
questions to the various panels that NB Power will be producing in the
next couple of weeks in Fredericton, if you should -- if you decide to
do that.
Ms. Krammer: Well, I guess I thought that that was the point of my
presence and my speaking here today, but perhaps I am misinformed.
This is just a formality then.
Chairperson: Well it is not really a formality, Ms. Krammer. I think
at the end of the day is you made your submissions, and I think your
comments were duly noted by Board Staff. And there is a Public
Intervener of the Province of New Brunswick that is here assisting,
and I am pretty sure that he is noting what you said. And if there is
something that needs to be addressed during the formal hearing, I am
pretty sure either Mr. Williams or Board Staff, or even Mr. Amos, will
be addressing those questions to whatever panel NB Power decides to
put before the Board.
David Amos
Reply to Christine Martinez
Feel free to call me as well My number is in the EUB record of my Intervention
David Amos
Reply to A.R. Bungay
The same offer holds for you
Greg Miller
Pay up or get out -- I dare you!
Rosco holt
Reply to Greg Miller
Government will swoop in to save Irving's hide.
David Amos
Reply to Rosco holt
Higgy already did so several times recently. Now they want to knock the rate down while keeping their payoffs
David Amos
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Reply to Rosco holt
Higgy already did so several times recently
Now they want to knock the rate down while keeping their payoffs
N.B. Power to spend $3.4 million of proposed rate hike on higher industrial subsidies
Utility's planned 8.9 per cent rate increase applies to all customers, except 6 pulp and paper mills
Robert Jones · CBC News · Posted: Oct 11, 2022 6:00 AM ADT
New Brunswick's six pulp and paper mills will not be made to pay the same 8.9 per cent increase for electricity next April as other customers of N.B. Power, evidence filed with the Energy and Utilities Board shows.
Assessment increases on Saint John industrial properties retracted by Service New Brunswick
Agency also backs out of promised valuation review of oil refinery
Robert Jones · CBC News · Posted: Jul 04, 2022 6:00 AM ADT
"At the generating station at Coleson Cove, N.B. Power won a $371,800 reduction on a sea-floor property it uses as a source of coolant for the plant. Service New Brunswick increased the assessed value of the six-square-kilometre underwater parcel in 2021 by $410,000 after a "re-inspection" of its value, but this year retracted most of it following a complaint by N.B. Power."
Higgs government boosts payments to pulp and paper mills under energy buy-back program
Province hands companies more than $5M in discounts based on their electricity sales in 2019-20
Jacques Poitras · CBC News · Posted: Jul 05, 2021 7:00 AM ADT
The Higgs government has quietly increased subsidies to major pulp and paper mills in the province through a renewable energy buy-back program with NB Power.
The Progressive Conservative cabinet increased the price that the public utility must pay to mills by 12.5 per cent, retroactive to April 1.
Halifax lawyer Nancy Rubin is representing J.D. Irving Ltd. at N.B. Power's rate hearing. She levelled several criticisms at the utility's performance. (Jonathan Collicott/CBC News)
Francois Beaulieu, chair of the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board, is presiding over a nine-day hearing into N.B. Power's request to raise rates 8.9 per cent. (Jonathan Collicott/CBC News)
N.B. Power has seven panels of witnesses prepared to testify at its rate hearing. The utility began with a group of senior executives, including acting president Lori Clark. (Jonathan Collicott/CBC News)
the person representing the 'lowly ' ratepayer
in this Hearing .
That's the person I want to hear from !!