PUB accepts Newfoundland Power's reasoning for skyrocketing bills

Newfoundland and Labrador's Public Utilities Board says it accepts Newfoundland Power's reasoning for spiking power bills that left customers fuming in March.

After public outcry, the board requested Newfoundland Power review the measures it uses to "ensure billing accuracy and reduce billing volatility," and whether other measures have been considered.

The subsequent report found the discrepancies were due to colder than usual weather leading to higher power usage.

"The board found the report helpful in understanding the reasons for the recent increased bill volatility experienced by customers," wrote PUB assistant board secretary Stephanie Stack on Thursday.

In the statement, she also wrote that the board accepted the utility company's explanation that the varying number of billing days per month could contribute to some customers having higher than expected bills, as well as the impact of a colder than typical winter.

"The board notes that Newfoundland Power has committed to exploring ways to limit changes in billing periods in the winter, to help make billing days more consistent each month and reduce changes in customer bill amounts, and will increase tracking and monitoring of expected bill period changes before they occur, especially during periods when the temperature drops," wrote Stack.

Sky-high bills

Earlier this year, Newfoundland Power customers began sharing their concerns over higher than normal bills online and also spoke with media, including CBC News.

St. John's resident Sheri Durdle told CBC News that last year, her highest power bill for her apartment was $150, and she was shocked to see her February power bill was nearly double that.

In response to numerous complaints, the PUB requested that Newfoundland Power submit a report on how it ensures the accuracy of its metre readings and give reasons for why customer bills increased recently.

Newfoundland Power CEO Gary Murray told reporters that all bills are reviewed before they're sent to the customer, but every bill was reassessed for errors.

"No billing anomalies were identified," he said in a previous interview.

The report also pointed to below-average temperatures that lasted for several weeks.

Next steps

In Thursday's statement the PUB said it wants to see the results of a review Newfoundland Power is planning to carry out into its billing practices, which should include the utility's current practice regarding billing days per month, including the difference between January and February.

The PUB also wants to see a summary of what other jurisdictions do to minimizing billing variability during periods of high energy usage, as well as "an analysis of the distribution of the billing day variances in January and February and its impact on customer bills between January and February, 2025; and any changes which may be made."

The PUB wants Newfoundland Power to provide that information by April 29.

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