Exhibit 99.1
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MEDIA RELEASE October 19,2022 | |  |
Emera Inc. and Nova Scotia Power respond to Government of Nova Scotia electricity rate legislation
This news release constitutes a “designated news release” for the purposes of Emera’s prospectus supplement dated August 12, 2021 to its short form base shelf prospectus dated August 5, 2021
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — Emera Inc. (TSX: EMA) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Nova Scotia Power Incorporated (NS Power), are responding to legislation announced today by Premier Tim Houston on behalf of the Government of Nova Scotia which will impose constraints on the planned capital investments and operational costs of Nova Scotia Power. If passed, the legislation would pre-empt the pending decision of Nova Scotia’s independent regulator, the Utility and Review Board (UARB), and would limit a non-fuel rate increase to a total of 1.8% between now and the end of 2024. The rate application was NS Power’s first request to increase non-fuel rates in 10 years.
“We are deeply concerned about today’s proposed legislation,” said Scott Balfour, President & CEO of Emera Inc. “Our customers in Nova Scotia count on us for their energy needs and they remain our priority. We understand the affordability concerns of our customers and we also know they are concerned about reliability and providing cleaner energy for Nova Scotians. This proposed legislation imposes a limit on the investments NS Power planned to make for the benefit of customers over the next two years.”
The proposed legislation overrides Nova Scotia’s robust regulatory process, disregarding the collective input of stakeholders, customers and industry experts. It will limit funding for important investments in the performance and reliability of Nova Scotia’s electrical grid to address the impacts of climate change, support electrification initiatives and integrate more intermittent renewables onto the system.
“As Hurricane Fiona demonstrated, investment in the reliability of Nova Scotia’s grid and in meeting our 2030 renewable energy goals are essential, and those are the core elements of our rate application,” said Peter Gregg, President and CEO, NS Power. “This proposed rate cap severely impacts and, in some cases, likely cancels these investments, thereby increasing the risk to Nova Scotia’s electrical grid, as well as to NS Power’s ability to respond to major storms in the future. We fully recognize our responsibility to keep bills as low as possible for customers, but this action overlooks the importance of sustaining the grid over the long-term.”
“Capping non-fuel rates also limits necessary investments to meet carbon reduction targets, including the Government of Nova Scotia’s own ambitious goals to reach 80% renewable energy by 2030 and the government’s accelerated goal to be off coal by 2030,” said Gregg. “The capital investment and operating cost impacts directly resulting from this proposed legislation will impact our plans to help the province meet these targets.”
NS Power applied for an increase in non-fuel rates in January 2022. The application and public hearing with Nova Scotia’s independent regulator included 30,000 pages of evidence, the testimony of numerous industry experts, and the direct involvement of stakeholder groups representing NS Power’s residential, commercial and industrial customers, government and environmental organizations. A decision on the rate application is expected later this year.