South Coast Today - nova scotia power

Pass NSP service standards this spring, says Baillie

Timothy Gillespie — Thu, 07 May 2015 11:21:51 +0000

In a news release Wednesday, PC leader Jamie Baillie is calling on the McNeil Liberals to implement service standards for Nova Scotia Power (NSP) before any power rate application is submitted to the Utility and Review Board.

Wednesday in the legislature, MLA John Lohr spoke to the PC's bill that he says would get rid of the company's guaranteed profit by setting service standards and penalizing the company if it does not meet them. After Lohr's comments, the Liberal majority moved to adjourn debate on the bill

On Friday in Question Period, according to the release, the Premier refused to say whether power rates would increase or not in 2016. Baillie wants to know if there will be a power rate hearing this fall.

“The Premier would not rule out a potential power rate increase next year. The McNeil Liberals should implement service standards now, before a power rate hearing,” said Baillie. “Service and value for ratepayers should be priority. People are already struggling under the weight of the most expensive power rates in the country. It’s time for action.”

Murray Salsman, a resident of Grafton, Nova Scotia, was in the legislature Wednesday. He was frustrated, says the release, by the lack of straight answers from Nova Scotia Power following tropical storm Arthur. He called the utility several different times and got a different person every time telling him something different.

“All I wanted was a straight answer as to when someone would come by to restore power,” said Salsman. “They kept telling me it was my responsibility that a power line was hanging off my house.”

In the Saturday Chronicle Herald, a NSP spokesperson is reported saying, “We’re prepared to move forward with the standards that we’ll work through as part of likely a regulatory process or that are implemented with government.”

Baillie says there’s no reason to wait.

“The Liberals should pass this legislation this spring,” said Baillie. “The competent thing would be to implement service standards now, rather than wait and see about a power rate increase.”

Since 2012, adds the release, the PCs have been calling on the government to implement service standards.

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Emera execs see $10 million payday

Timothy Gillespie — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 09:50:41 +0000

Shelburne native Huskilson tops list with $4.6M
US energy transmission key to growth

Nova Scotia Power parent company Emera announced Thursday that Shelburne native and CEO Chris Husklison took home $4.6 million in his pay envelope in 2014. A reduced bonus of $1.2 million resulted in a $147,000 pay cut from the previous year.

With a base salary of $187,000, Huskilson saw his annual pension fall to $550,000. In addition to salary, Huskilson's packet includes pension, bonuses and stock options. Huskilson's payday - which Emera says is perfomance based - was one $1 million less than the other top four executives combined.

The former Nova Scotia power lineman was a strong performer for Emera shareholders in 2014, sheparding a 33 per cent increase in operating revenues, a 23 per cent rise in adjusted earnings and high shareholder return in 2014 and very high return over a five-year period. The company's stock was at $43 on Thursday and has been as low as $33 in 2014. The Globe and Mail business page says of Emera, "Based on its net profit margin of 15.24%, Emera Inc is among the more effective companies in its industry at turning revenues into bottom line profit."

Other Emera execs did well in pay packets, with CFO Scott Balfour taking home $1.8 million, VP Nancy Tower getting $1.4 million and COO Rob Bennett netting $1.5 million and NS Power president Bob Hanf earned $915,000.

Emera said the changes reflect the company’s growth and the fact that nearly half of its earnings now come from operations outside Nova Scotia.

In a recent executive shuffle Rob Bennett was named chief operating officer of Emera’s Eastern Canada businesses and COO Scott Balfour will oversee operations in the northeastern United States and the Caribbean.

Emera growth, according to recent comments by Huskilson, is due to increased involvement in the transmission of natural gas and electricity, specifically in the United States.

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Power struggle signal that election coming?

Timothy Gillespie — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 10:15:21 +0000

Chronicle Herald columist Roger Taylor says that Nova Scotia Power is rereally affecting Nova Scotian in many ways and the government's position in the matter may signal a springtime election.

Taylor says that, no matter how much Nova Scotians want the power monopoly out of their lives, the reverse seems to be happening.

Today, Nova Scotia Power Inc. is perhaps more involved in the lives of ordinary Nova Scotians than any other company in the province.

This is partly due to the utility’s monopoly status, but citizens are also being affected by the power company’s relationships with other organizations.

Taylor says that energy minister Charlie Parker's claim that the government's move to save Nova Scotians hundreds of thousands of dollars in electricity costs by having more executive salaries paid by shareholders is "only a public relations move, not enough to make a real difference to electricity rates."

Taylor says it is yet another indication that a provincial election is around the corner.

SEE TAYLOR'S COLUMN HERE

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