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Holt government lays out NB Power improvement plan

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The province has released its action plan to address recommendations on improving NB Power.

Of the 50, the province has determined responses for 44, with six requiring more analysis.

Premier Susan Holt said her government won’t shy away from making tough decisions.

“New Brunswickers are worried about affordability and frustrated by rising power bills,” Holt said.

“This review made it clear that maintaining the status quo is not an option.”

Holt said the government will take a “comprehensive approach” to transforming NB Power so the utility can deliver reliable service, better manage costs and remain financially sustainable as demand for electricity continues to grow.

Some of the actions the government has planned include:

  • Developing a new long-term provincial energy policy aligned with NB Power’s future needs and the province’s economic growth objectives
  • Reviewing and modernizing the Electricity Act and broader energy regulatory framework to improve transparency, accountability and long-term planning
  • Creating an energy sector consumer advocate’s office to better represent residential and small business customers
  • Advancing discussions around greater regional co-operation and integration among utilities in the Maritimes, including exploring the concept of a Maritime independent system operator
  • Improving accountability with respect to performance measurement, staffing reviews, project management and customer service within NB Power
  • Strengthening oversight and financial planning for major projects such as those at the Mactaquac and Belledune generating stations
  • Improving the performance of the Point Lepreau nuclear generating station through planning, accountability, clear metrics and relationship-building.

Energy Minister René Legacy said the province recognizes how urgent affordability concerns have become for New Brunswickers, and the plan reflects that.

“New Brunswick is already a critical part of the regional electricity system and we have an opportunity to build on that strength,” Legacy said.

“But to do that, we need a utility that is modern, financially sustainable and capable of making smart long-term decisions.”

The plan includes target timelines with end dates ranging from now to the end of 2029.

Utility ready to get to work on plan: CEO

NB Power CEO Lori Clark said after the reveal of the action plan that the utility is ready to improve its operations.

Clark said NB Power worked closely with the province to come up with actions and timelines.

“There are a number of key recommendations in the report that we need to move on without hesitation,” Clark said.

“There are a number of things that we can do in the immediate term and while a lot of them are complicated and will require an intense level of effort, they’re required in order to modernize the utility.”

The full plan can be seen here.

Nichola Taylor NB ACORN - EDITED PICTURE

NB Power review calls for support programs efficiency, advocates push for more

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While NB Power’s review calls for improving the efficiency of support programs, advocates say more needs to be done.

A comprehensive review of NB Power was released Monday.

The report, Fit for the Future, outlines 50 recommendations aimed at ensuring affordable and stable electricity rates, safe and reliable service, and a sustainable, competitive utility.

One recommendation from the panel of utility and energy experts who authored the report calls for a review of current social programs, energy-efficiency initiatives and energy-use management programs to determine which provide the best value for money.

The recommendation also calls for identifying which organization is best suited to deliver each program, whether that be NB Power, the provincial government or another entity, to improve overall effectiveness.

Nichola Taylor, chair of NB ACORN, said the organization is “glad” affordability was addressed by the utility’s review panel but said more action is needed to address the province’s energy affordability challenges.

“The cost of living is really affecting New Brunswickers in a big way, and we need a lot more help from those who can give it,” she said.

According to the Human Development Council’s 2025 Energy Poverty Report, New Brunswick has the second-highest rate of energy poverty in Canada, behind only Newfoundland and Labrador.

Related: NB Power rate hike delay not enough, say advocates

Related: Researchers urge rebate program as NB Power defends proposed increase

The report highlights how energy poverty disproportionately affects low-income residents, with more than 68 per cent of low-income households spending six per cent or more of their after-tax income on energy costs. Households exceeding that threshold are considered energy-poor.

With affordability becoming a growing concern, Taylor said the province should implement a dedicated energy rebate program for low-income residents.

She said existing measures, such as the 10 per cent energy rebate, do not go far enough.

“People who can’t afford their heat aren’t turning it on, so it’s not balanced, it’s not fair for people on low and moderate incomes,” she said.

Taylor said because some low-income households limit their energy use to cut costs, they receive little benefit from the province’s current rebate program.

She said ACORN would like to see a rebate program modeled after the Ontario Electricity Support Program, which provides monthly bill credits to eligible low-income households.

Taylor added the organization would also like NB Power to expand debt-forgiveness options and make the winter disconnection moratorium permanent.

“This is something [the province and NB Power] can be working on or should have been working on in order to help people,” she said.