The new Consumer Advocate is still getting her feet wet in the role, but she and her team are poring over the documents filed by the two electricity utilities, including a 2.25 per cent rate increase from Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.
Adrienne Ding, who took over from Dennis Browne earlier this year, is still in an acting role and has not yet developed positions on the applications before the Public Utilities Board.
Both utilities have significant capital plans before the board, including Hydro’s wishes to add two turbines – one in Holyrood and one at Bay d’Espoir at a total cost of around $2-billion.
Ding, who was on VOCM Open Line with host Brian Callahan this morning, says the request for a rate increase marks the first time that the cost of Muskrat Falls comes into play.
Muskrat Falls ended up costing about double the original estimate of $6.2-billion.
Ding says people struggle with any rate increase, and she will be looking for full justification from the utilities on any application before the board.
