NB Power seeks rate hike; groups call for accountability amid management concerns

The New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board is deliberating on a request from NB Power for a 4.75 per cent electricity rate increase, following nine days of hearings. This proposed hike, if approved, would raise the average annual household bill by $130. NB Power executives contend that additional funding is essential to enhance the electrical grid, asserting that without these investments, the system's reliability and safety could diminish. Conversely, four organizations participating as intervenors have cautioned the board about alleged mismanagement within the public utility. These groups advocate for NB Power to identify internal cost efficiencies before imposing further charges on its customers. John Furey, counsel for NB Power, stated in his closing remarks on Friday that the utility faces challenges common to many global power providers, including infrastructure needs, shifting governmental directives, and growing customer expectations. He also noted that New Brunswick experiences its own distinct operational issues. Over the past three years, NB Power has already increased rates by 24 per cent, prompting considerable public concern among its clientele, particularly in a province where electric heating is prevalent.