Nova ScotiaAn Antigonish man whose personal information was compromised in the Nova Scotia Power cybersecurity breach says he’s frustrated by the utility’s plan to raise rates over the next two years.Antigonish man says utility should be rebuilding trust after cybersecurity incident, not hiking ratesThe utility is looking to raise residential rates by 4.1 per cent over two years with smaller increases for commercial and industrial customers. (Mark Crosby/CBC)An Antigonish, N.S., man whose personal information was compromised in the Nova Scotia Power cybersecurity breach says he’s frustrated by the utility’s proposal to raise rates over the next two years.David MacLeod, who has written an open letter to CEO Peter Gregg calling for a rate freeze, said the company should be working to rebuild trust after thieves stole the personal and financial data of 280,000 people.He said the proposed increase does the opposite, and has left him feeling “more than angry.””They had already gone through a cyber breach,” MacLeod said in an interview. “Now they want to increase the rates?”Nova Scotia Power notified the provincial energy board on Tuesday about the plan, which would raise residential rates by 4.1 per cent annually for the next two years. Other rate classes, including businesses and industrial customers, would see smaller increases. The utility said it will file a general rate application in the coming weeks.MacLeod, a veteran and retired intelligence operator, said he can afford the higher bills but worries about people who are “stuck between a rock and a hard place.”David MacLeod, seen here, has written an open letter to Nova Scotia Power CEO Peter Gregg, saying the utility ‘owes Nova Scotians an apology, a full explanation, and a moratorium on any rate increase for at least two years’ after this year’s cybersecurity breach. (Zoom)Those concerns are shared by Josie Rudderham, CEO of the South Shore Open Doors Association in Bridgewater, N.S., who said many already have to make trade-offs just to keep the lights on, and higher rates could make things worse.”When people have household expenses, there’s some things you can get away with not paying, and there’s some things you really can’t,” she said. “So people often don’t renew their prescriptions or they’re unable to shop for groceries [to pay power bills].”Rudderham, who directly works with people experiencing energy insecurity, said every dollar counts when it comes to the cost of living. A 2022 study found 38 per cent of residents in Bridgewater experience energy poverty.Josie Rudderham is concerned about how the rate increase would affect the people most vulnerable. (Zoom)”One of the things that we found is that having access to affordable energy is one of the things that can influence someone staying housed or getting housed,” Rudderham said. Nova Scotia Power declined an interview request.In a statement to CBC News on Wednesday, the utility said those with concerns about affordability should contact their customer care team, led by director Chris Lanteigne.”We continue to support our customers with several programs and options to help to manage their power bills,” said the utility. “Please reach out, we are here to help.”MacLeod said he is also frustrated by the company’s request to set aside usual procedures and instead have sweeping confidentiality during the inquiry into the cybersecurity incident, which the board called unacceptable and inappropriate.He is asking Nova Scotia Power to have more transparency during the process and to prioritize the interest of its clients. “I would like to see a moratorium on rate hikes. I’d also like to see Nova Scotia Power become a little bit more forthcoming as to why they need these rate hikes and why they have to pay their board members so well,” said MacLeod. On Tuesday, Nova Scotia Power said the proposed increases follow months of discussions and are intended to fund the first two years of its five-year grid reliability plan.ABOUT THE AUTHORGiuliana is a journalist originally from Lima, Peru. She is interested in stories about rural Nova Scotia, science, the environment and more. If you have any story tips, you can reach her at giuliana.grillo.de.lambarri@cbc.ca.
‘More than angry’: Nova Scotia Power’s proposed rate increase receives backlash
