Graham Steele, MLA for Halifax-Fairview, writes to correct a mistake in an article I wrote last week on Nova Scotia Power's rate increases.
Hi Tim. I read your recent piece about NS Power with interest. You had me right until the end, where I found this:Steele is correct---Merrick said "government" and not "legislature." My apologies to both.Last year, groups representing low-income residents, ratepayers, businesses and NSP itself agreed on a "Demand Side Management" plan to implement energy efficiency measures. The agreement, however, sits moribund as the legislature hasn't acted upon it.
"Everybody has recognized that the DSM has got to be implemented," says Merrick.
"I don't know why the legislature hasn't acted."
The next step on DSM is 100% within the hands of the government, not the legislature. The legislature's approval is not required. There is no proposal for DSM before the legislature, and we do not expect to see one. "The government" and "the legislature" are not the same thing! In fact, the NDP Caucus has asked several times in the legislature, most recently only two weeks ago, why the government is taking so long to appoint a DSM administrator. A transcript of the exchange between Howard Epstein and Richard Hurlburt is appended to this e-mail.
A small correction to an otherwise fine piece.