As the provincial government struggles with the balancing act of emissions targets vs. possible power rate hikes, let’s hope new power grid plans help solve the dilemma.
On Tuesday, the premiers of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick announced plans by the provinces’ power utilities to more than double the transmission capacity between them. The beefed-up system would open the way for imports and exports of power between the two as they invest in renewable energy.
It will also be the means of transmitting power from the expanding Lower Churchill hydro project in Labrador to waiting markets in New England.
Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter expresses optimism that the improved grid will mean more stable prices and more affordable energy in the future.
If it pans out that way, it’s welcome news – and timely.
Nova Scotia Power will be seeking a rate increase of 12 per cent for residential customers – 18 for commercial – through provincial regulators this fall. The steep request is being attributed to a need to cover the cost of burning cleaner coal as it tries to meet government-imposed guidelines.
That has provincial politicians saying they’ll look for alternatives – although not quite willing to come out and say they’ll soften emission targets to ease the utility-bill burden. It has yet to be announced what they’ll do in the short term, but a more efficient grid will certainly make a difference in coming years.
The announcement follows last week’s meeting of the Atlantic premiers and New England governors in Massachusetts, where they agreed to greater co-operation on regional energy projects.
Considering where things stood last year on this subject – New Brunswick preparing to sell its power utility to the giant Quebec Hydro – this is indeed a much-improved scenario. Dexter in discussing the plan described Nova Scotia as having been like an island when it comes to energy resources. A more secure link to a co-operative, regional grid is a great step.
