Vulnerable populations and high NB Power bills focus of new committee

NB Power is required to offer relief to struggling customers as a condition of its increased rates.

A new committee focused on vulnerable populations and high NB Power rates are now meeting, about a year after the idea was first pitched.

The utility’s Vulnerable Populations Committee includes representatives from NB Power, community groups and the provincial government.

The committee’s creation was a condition of the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board granting NB Power’s rate request increase of almost 20 per cent over two-years.

NB Power president and CEO Lori Clark said the utility mentioned its support for a vulnerable populations group when presenting to the EUB last summer.

“So that we can understand their needs much better than we do today, and provide relief where we can and access to the programs that are available,” said Clark, in an interview. “And if there are no programs available, see what we can do to develop the right programs.”

The committee held its first meeting on May 28, with a second meeting on June 24.

The provincial departments of energy and social development are included on the committee. The community groups represented are Feed NB, the NB Coalition of Persons with Disabilities, the Fredericton Food Bank and the Human Development Council.

Randy Hatfield, executive director of the Human Development Council, hoped future meetings would include individuals with first-hand experience related to poverty.

“We’re going by what we’re told anecdotally and what the data may tell us,” said Hatfield. “But the lived-experience, those stories, are very rich.”

Hatfield also hoped the committee would look closely at NB Power’s disconnection policy for unpaid bills, while pushing for “meaningful” programs to help those struggling to pay bills (citing the example of Ontario’s energy rebate program).

“There has to be a political will,” said Hatfield. “The utility at this point claims it doesn’t have the jurisdiction to entertain low-income energy rebates. I’m not sure that’s the case.”

Clark said NB Power took action earlier this year to help ratepayers hit with high bills, by introducing new installment and equalized payments programs for individuals who wouldn’t have previously qualified.

“I’m not saying there isn’t more work to do,” said Clark.

The committee does not have executive or decision-making authority.

“It will be given priority,” said Clark. “So, while they don’t have direct decision-making capability, they are reporting to the highest level in the organization.”

The committee is expected to meet again this fall, when its terms of reference will be finalized.

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