Date: 2022-01-29
FROM: Solar Nova Scotia Chair David Brushett
Good morning
Solar Nova Scotia is extremely concerned with the recent proposal by Nova Scotia Power to charge net-metering participants a "System Access Charge" based on installed capacity. We believe this will devastate what is now a fast-growing industry, that is actively building technical labour skills and capacity, developing Nova Scotia's green economy, and contributing tremendously to Nova Scotia's climate change mitigation goals. A monthly fee based on capacity is the wrong approach and cannot be allowed to happen.
We are encouraged by initial comments from Nova Scotia Natural Resources and Renewable Energy Minister, Tory Rushton, that he does not support Nova Scotia Power's proposal. We believe the province should immediately commit to rejecting it, and instead mandate a consultative process whereby principled negotiation can take place. This will reduce the uncertainty that continues to cause the Solar industry to be effectively paralysed. Dozens of companies and hundreds of jobs depend on this.
In the coming days we will do everything we can to support our members.
We plan to intervene with the UARB and have set up a GoFundMe to raise funds for lawyer fees and PR to support our members in this process. Nova Scotia Power has all the legal support they need and we have to make sure the solar industry, which is mostly small businesses, has fair representation. Please consider contributing and sharing with friends and family. You can find the link here: Solar NS Legal Fund All funds will be used for solar legal representation and NS solar industry promotion.
Regulation of the electricity system is a provincial responsibility. Attached you will find letter templates for both corporate members and the general public along with MLA contract addresses. Please write to your MLA and share the templates widely.
We will be in touch as we continue to develop a strategy to oppose this proposal. Please reach out to us with questions, ideas, or concerns.
Sincerely,
David Brushett
Chair, Solar NS