Independent review ordered at NB Power following steep jump in December bills

Many customers are criticizing NB Power after receiving higher utility bills.

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt has ordered an independent audit of NB Power following customer outrage over recent power bills, which in some cases were double or more compared to the previous year.

Holt said her office received hundreds of complaints from residents over the past few days, prompting the third-party review ordered late Tuesday.

On Monday, the Liberal and Progressive Conservative caucuses met separately with NB Power at each party’s request to discuss the reports of dramatic jumps in December power bills, with some higher by several hundred dollars.

“And that conversation left us with more questions,” said Holt.

The PCs called for an independent audit shortly after Monday’s meeting, highlighting smart metres as infrastructure that should be included in any review. Holt said the audit would include an investigation of how metres are read, and should be complete by next month.

Last week, the utility acknowledged complaints about high power bills in a Facebook post, which at best received a mixed response. Several comments questioned the role of smart metres in bills taking a steep jump.

Earlier Tuesday, NB Power said the dramatic increase in recent power bills was due partly to a colder December compared to the previous year, as well as a longer billing cycle and higher rates that took effect last April. In the same statement, NB Power also defended its use of smart metres, saying accuracy was certified by Measurement Canada and inspections based on mandatory requirements from the federal agency.

There was no immediate comment from NB Power late Tuesday about an independent third-party audit being ordered.

Green Party Leader David Coon said he met recently with utility CEO Lori Clark to discuss concerns about December’s bills, and was calling for Clark to appear before the legislature’s public accounts committee next month.

-With files from Hina Alam of the Canadian Press

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