N.B. Power review panel defends independence in 1st public info session
Review panel appointed last month
A three-person panel appointed last month to review New Brunswick Power's operations was quick to assure the public on Wednesday that the panel can be counted on for an unbiased perspective.
"It's important that everyone remember that we're truly independent, in that we do not represent that government and we do not represent the public, so we're quite unfettered," said Anne Bertrand, one of the three appointed to oversee the review.
"It really allows us to have a solid, insightful review, free to say what we want."
Bertrand is an ex-N.B. Power board member and provincial privacy and information officer. Micheal Bernstein, a past CEO and investment fund manager in the energy sector, and former Bruce Power CEO Duncan Hawthorne, are the other two members of the review panel.
The trio was announced almost exactly a month ago and faced New Brunswickers for the first time Wednesday, taking written questions over an hour-long virtual meeting.
One of those questions asked directly about the panel's independence and remuneration. Bertrand confirmed all three members are being paid by the provincial government, but likened their situation to that of a judge.
"Judges are paid by provincial governments … and they are independent, they abide by a code of ethical conduct," Bertrand said.
"This is the same for all three of us."
Wednesday was the first of several planned virtual meetings to allow the panel to hear concerns from people in the province. Bertrand said an engagement survey will be released over the summer and that there will be in person meetings in the fall.
Recommendations are expected by the end of March.
Premier Susan Holt launched the review following controversy over a spike in power bills over the winter. N.B. Power has maintained that the primary reason for the increase in bills is higher consumption related to weather, a claim backed up by an independent audit of the utility's billing system.
Rates have also risen steadily in recent years as N.B. Power tries to meet legislated debt reduction targets ahead of a multi-billion dollar refurbishment of the Mactaquac hydroelectric dam, which remains one of the province's most important generating assets.
Hawthorne was quick to warn the 95-odd people who participated in the first session not to expect a quick fix for the utility.
"This is about making N.B. Power fit for the future, and it has a challenging future, make no mistake," he said.
"It faces a challenge, not unlike many of the neighbouring jurisdictions, where assets that have served them well for many years are coming to end-of-life and have to be replaced. Some assets like Lepreau are underperforming and need to be challenged to do better."
N.B. Power was nearly sold to Hydro Quebec a decade and a half ago, but that deal crumbled in the face of overwhelming public backlash. Bertrand said it's important not to look backwards, but Bernstein said that the three of them will examine all possible avenues for the future of the utility.
"That could involve private sector partnerships, that could involve mergers, it could involve working with other players to the benefit of New Brunswickers," Bernstein said.
"We've been given broad latitude to look at whatever options we think can be to the benefit of New Brunswickers."
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