Where to begin? A big fuck you to the URB for giving NSP the rate hike they asked for earlier this year. Why a big fuck you you may ask? Their fuel costs were predicted when oil at 120+ dollars, it is now at 68 bucks (a 55% drop from its high point). If anything, we should be seeing a reduction. And why are they constantly granting them increases for fuel when they do nothing in terms of renewable energy? Part of the rate increase hearing should include “what have you done to reduce your fuel consumption? Nothing? Well, you don’t get a rate increase motherfucker!” In Ontario, their rates were increased 10% to 5 cents/kWh (half of our old rate). The reason for the increase: more renewable energy machines to reduce their fuel consumption. This is a rate increase that anyone would understand and accept.
Extortion is what NSP is doing, we have no choice and they know it. What really burns me is they declared a 3rd straight quarter of profit increase (so much for the harsh winter excuse for the 1st quarter profit). While I’m at it, I’ll also send a flip-off to the leaders of the parties and my MLA, all of whom have received a letter with concerns of the rate hike and the current price of fuels. Do you think any of them have replied? Nope. Too busy “working” 16 days a year to listen to their constituents I guess.
This article appears in Oct 30 – Nov 5, 2008.
yup and yall can thank the closure of the cape breton coal mines for nsp’s dependancy on over priced foreign coal…but hey the promise of closing the mines and steel plant brought the conservatives to power. good choice
I often wonder the morality of profiting on the backs of tax payers while providing them what`s called an essential service. Sorta like highway robbery from that perspective, huh?
The price of oil has dropped, yes. But the price of coal has more than doubled since the last rates were set in 2007. Coal is the main fuel NS Power uses to generate electricity, not oil. Hence the rate increase.
And Exxon just recorded the largest profit in history. Can you blame the OP for questioning the energy industry and all it’s profiteers?