RHPNS Urges Regulatory Board to Closely Scrutinize Halifax Water Overspending Request
Rental Housing Providers Nova Scotia (RHPNS) has urged the Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board to apply a rigorous review to Halifax Water’s request to exceed the approved budget for Phase 2 of the Sullivan’s Pond Storm Sewer Replacement project. While recognizing the importance of investing in critical water infrastructure, RHPNS argues that utilities should face a higher evidentiary standard when seeking approval to overspend on projects that have already been reviewed and approved by the Board.
*The submission notes that Halifax Water customers are already absorbing an 18% water rate increase, while Statistics Canada recently reported that Nova Scotia recorded the largest year-over-year increase in the Consumer Price Index, driven in part by a 21.3% increase in water utility costs. RHPNS contends that approved budgets should be respected wherever possible and that any additional spending must be supported by clear evidence demonstrating the necessity of the costs, why they could not have been reasonably anticipated, and the steps taken to protect ratepayers from further financial pressure.
[View Submission]