NSP revamps billing system for low-income customers
Nova Scotia Power says it will start intervening on overdue bills sooner to give customers more time to pay their power bills.
The proposed changes were released this week after a consultation with poverty advocate groups. The meetings were ordered by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board during a rate hearing last year.
To prevent bills from piling up, the utility said it will send notice after 30 days instead of 60 days and allow two years to repay.
It also plans to put high-risk customers on monthly meter readings and bills.
"Better followup, more connection with the tools that are available," said Neera Ritcey, a spokeswoman for Nova Scotia Power.
Tess Warner of the Metro Non-Profit Housing Association said the steps are good, but at the end of the day many people still don't have money to pay their bill.
Nova Scotia Power has refused to cancel arrears for low income customers, saying that would be unfair to other customer groups.
