Hike in power rates cut by half in revised proposal, says NL Hydro

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro says a proposed 18.6 per cent power rate hike has been reduced by half in a series of revised proposals to the Public Utilities Board.

"We've listened to the discussion,"said DawnDalley, vice president, regulatory affairs and corporate services.

"That rate increase was too much for customers and we understood that."

Dalleysaid the utility uses a formula under the Rate Stabilization Plan to calculate where power rates should be on July 1,similarto weekly price adjustments for gas, except it's done once a year.

"It's almost like a calculator. We put in a series of data that we have on electricity usage and oil prices and what comes out on the other end is the recommended change," she said.

But for 2017, the number18.6per centwas a shock.So high, the Public Utilities Board, which regulates energy prices, sent Hydro back to the drawing board to look at other options.

• Consumer Advocate says 18% electricity rate hike 'unacceptable'

That's just what the company has done,Dalleysaid. In fact, it was ready before the order to recalculate.

"When we saw the output we had the exact same discussion .... we knew and expected that we would be discussing options."

There are five alternatives in the revised report to the PUB,Dalleysaid, bringing down the proposed increase to between nine and 11 per cent.

"We're OK with all those options. Whichever one the PUBchooses,we will be fine with it."

She said she expects a decision from the board "any day."

Dalleysaid Hydro could have come up with the options before making its initial application, but decided to let the process run its course and wait for input from industrial users, Newfoundland and Labrador Power and the Consumer Advocate.