Newfoundland Power寻求电费上涨

Newfoundland Power寻求电费上涨

The province’s consumer advocate is not pleased with Newfoundland Power’s request for a 1.2 per cent rate increase to pay more to its shareholders.

Dennis Browne says the utility company is asking too much at a time when Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are already dealing with rate hikes, and preparing for a major increase when the Muskrat Falls project comes online in 2020.

“Why would they need a further rate increase? They’re getting enough out of us now,” Browne told CBC Radio’s On the Go Thursday.

Residential customers on the island are facing an average 6.8 per cent increase on July 1 — but the company is quick to point out that Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is responsible for that hike.

“Hydro has increased the rates it charges Newfoundland Power and this increased Hydro cost is being flowed directly through to our customers,” a press release stated.

But the request for a bump in rates next spring would see Newfoundland Power increase returns to its shareholders from 8.5 per cent to 9.5 per cent.

A spokesperson for Newfoundland Power said the current rate of return is the lowest among utility companies in the country, and the increase is necessary to maintain investment in its electricity system, currently valued at $1.1 billion.

Nova Scotia Power, for example, is permitted to earn 8.75 per cent to 9.25 per cent rate of return.

Common equity ratio?

Browne also took issue with Newfoundland Power’s common equity ratio of 45 per cent.

He compared it to utility companies in other places — Fortis Alberta at 37 per cent, Nova Scotia Power at 37.5 per cent, Fortis Ontario and several others at 40 per cent.

While the numbers and definitions get dry and confusing, Browne said what it means for people is simple — the higher equity ratio in Newfoundland and Labrador is funded by them, the ratepayers, and benefits the company.

Before any increase takes effect, it must be approved by the Public Utilities Board. Browne said he intends to take that opportunity to challenge the common equity ratio.

The spokesperson for Newfoundland Power said Browne was present in 1996 when the ratio was set by the PUB.

“[And] since then this matter had been reevaluated many times and each time it has been judged to be reasonable,” they said. “Newfoundland Power’s common equity ratio is a reflection of the financial and business risks faced by the company.”

In a 2016 ruling, the PUB ruled it was inappropriate to reduce the ratio, “given the uncertainty associated with Muskrat Falls and the economic outlook of the province.”

However, Browne said Newfoundland Power should have had the foresight to know what was coming with Muskrat Falls and plan accordingly.

“They knew they were putting themselves at risk and their customers at risk when the government decided to go ahead with Muskrat Falls.”

“They remained silent. They are now using that silence as a reason to seek an increase. That’s totally unacceptable,” said Browne.&nbsp

本文来自CBC News。本文观点不代表Chinese Students at MUN立场,转载请联系原作者。

出处:https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/nf-power-dennis-browne-consumer-advocate-1.4727320

(0)
上一篇 2018年6月28日 下午10:48
下一篇 2018年7月11日 上午12:36

相关推荐

  • 加拿大两个省份的鸡蛋召回

    https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/public-health-notices/2021/outbreak-salmonella-infections-eggs.html 加拿大纽芬兰、拉布拉多和新斯科舍省的华人们注!意!了! 这几个省目前爆发沙门氏菌疫情,主要原因是接触生鸡蛋! 大家务必小心购买和…

    2021年2月22日
    0
  • 加拿大现微信换汇骗局 警察提醒华裔小心

    中国新闻网:http://www.chinanews.com/hr/2019/03-13/8778980.shtml 中新网3月13日电 据中国驻加拿大大使馆网站消息,最近,有中国留学生因在微信上私下兑换加元而受骗上当,损失几千加元。中国驻加拿大使馆提醒在加中国公民特别是留学生,一定要增强防范网络诈骗意识,不要轻信各种“优惠换汇”广告,切勿因图一时方便或贪小…

    2019年3月29日
    0
  • 中国驻加拿大使馆简化部分业务流程

    为进一步改进领事窗口服务,不断提升旅加中国公民寻求领事服务的便捷度、舒适度和获得感,驻加拿大使馆特将我馆实施的中国公民办证“只跑一次”等一系列惠民、便民措施通告如下: 一、实行办证“只跑一次”和“一次性告知”。申请护照或旅行证须提前登录“海外申请护照在线预约”网站(http://ppt.mfa.gov.cn)进行预约;申请公证或认证无须提前预约。递交申请前,…

    2018年8月7日
    0
  • 加拿大大麻合法后,美国海关提醒五大注意事项

    中新网10月18日电 据《加中时报》报道,鉴于加拿大全国已对大麻合法,美国海关和边境保护局发出重要通知,警告入境美国的人士,不要把大麻带入美国。报道称,美国边境官员发布记者会表示,就大麻在加拿大合法后,跨越加美边境的规定作出特别说明。 以下是五项主要规定: 一、加拿大特赦大麻罪犯 美国并不承认 加拿大联邦政府17日宣布将对过去因为持有少量大麻(不超过30克)…

    2018年10月18日
    0