Nova Scotia·NewNova Scotia’s energy board has agreed to take a closer look at inaccurate billing and other aspects of the fallout from Nova Scotia Power’s cybersecurity breach, following a request from Premier Tim Houston.Regulator responds to request from Premier Tim Houston, will look into 5 issues raisedTaryn Grant · CBC News · Posted: Dec 11, 2025 2:25 PM EST | Last Updated: 1 hour agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.The energy board says it will look into 5 issues raised by Premier Tim Houston, some of which touch on billing issues from Nova Scotia Power following a cybersecurity breach. (Mark Crosby/CBC)Nova Scotia’s energy board has agreed to take a closer look at inaccurate billing and other aspects of the fallout from Nova Scotia Power’s cybersecurity breach, following a request from Premier Tim Houston.Board chair Stephen McGrath told Houston in an open letter this week that the board would investigate five issues the premier raised:The fairness and legality of Nova Scotia Power’s estimated billing methodology.The adequacy of consumer protections and communications during this period.The timeline and contingency planning for restoring accurate billing systems.Whether Nova Scotia Power should provide financial relief, credits, or bill smoothing options to affect the customers.Whether Nova Scotia Power is subject to financial penalties; and if so, the maximum amount that can be levied.The energy board is already undertaking a general inquiry into the breach that happened earlier this year, and a final report from the utility is due this month. The board asked for a long list of details to be included in the report, but it doesn’t specifically mention the issues raised by Houston.McGrath told Houston the board would wait until the final report is filed before deciding if his issues warrant a separate investigation or if they could be examined as part of the ongoing file.Houston said he’s glad the board is taking up his call.“I hope that Nova Scotians can have some confidence in the billing system of Nova Scotia Power,” he told reporters Thursday following a cabinet meeting.Overbilling following breachNova Scotia Power has acknowledged that some customers are receiving inflated bills as a result of the breach. The utility is still unable to remotely receive data from some residential power meters, and instead has been estimating bills.When he made the request to the energy board, Houston said the ongoing overbilling could “constitute regulatory fraud and misreporting revenue to the markets is a form of securities fraud.”The company dismissed Houston’s accusations. Nova Scotia Power officials, including CEO Peter Gregg, have said the company will not benefit from inflated bills and will correct any billing errors.The premier’s request for an investigation came shortly after NDP Leader Claudia Chender called on the government last week to address the fallout from the breach more directly, including with respect to inaccurate billing.Chender said she’s pleased to see “some action,” but doesn’t think it goes far enough.“I think the premier of this province can probably do more than write a letter,” she told reporters Thursday.Chender said Houston should also strengthen privacy legislation and offer a rebate to customers struggling with inflated bills.“We celebrate what the board’s doing, we agree with it, but I think they should go farther,” said Liberal MLA Derek Mombourquette.Mombourquette reiterated his party’s call for a broad review of the utility, covering their business operations and performance standards.MORE TOP STORIESABOUT THE AUTHORTaryn Grant covers daily news for CBC Nova Scotia, with a particular interest in housing and homelessness, education, and health care. You can email her with tips and feedback at taryn.grant@cbc.ca
Energy board to investigate Nova Scotia Power billing issues from cybersecurity breach
