Nova Scotia Power CEO Peter Gregg answers questions from MLA Claudia Chender during a committee meeting at One Government Place on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. Photo by Ryan Taplin /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentExecutives from Nova Scotia Power appeared Tuesday before the natural resources and economic development committee, where MLAs questioned the utility about billing problems and the fallout from the spring cyberattack. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe company has been relying on estimated billing since the attack knocked out its automatic meter reading system. This left many across the province reporting bills far higher than expected, with some saying they are unable to trust the numbers they are seeing. Article contentArticle contentArticle contentPeter Gregg, president and CEO of Nova Scotia Power, acknowledged the frustration and said the cyberattack, while not affecting energy delivery, caused extensive damage to back-end systems that have taken months to rebuild.Article contentThe attack “destroyed the communication system between the meters and our billing engine,” Gregg said to the committee. “We are close to getting that back up and built. We’ve taken the time to make sure that that is an effective and a secure system.” Article contentHe said the utility expects normal meter readings to resume starting in December, with the goal of full system restoration by March 31. Article contentArticle contentEstimates driving confusionArticle contentChris Lanteigne, director of customer care for Nova Scotia Power, told the committee the estimates are based on usage patterns from similar periods in previous years. However, he said the billing system was never designed for the level of strain it currently faces. Article contentArticle content“We’ve never had to estimate this volume of bills for this period of time,” he said. “You are right, it is an estimate, some bills could be higher, some bills could be lower.” Article contentArticle contentLanteigne said the company will only know the true amount a customer owes with an actual meter reading.Article contentMultiple MLAs raised concerns regarding the utility’s method, saying it leaves customers having to budget blindly. Article contentNDP Leader Claudia Chender cited a letter from one constituent who received an estimated bill that was twice what she owed, saying frustration is growing as people try to plan their finances. Article contentCorrections and refundsArticle contentLanteigne told the committee that customers who have been billed incorrectly will be properly compensated.
Nova Scotia Power questioned about big estimated bill differences, cyber attack
