Some N.W.T. communities to become interveners in NTPC rate application
Community leaders commit to ensuring power rates stay as low as possible
The Towns of Hay River, Fort Smith and the City of Yellowknife have all registered to be interveners in the Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC)'s general rate application.
NTPC is asking to increase the cost of power by approximately 18 per cent. If approved, the increase paired with an increase over the summer, works out to an overall increase of 24.8 per cent.
In a joint news release Friday morning, the Town of Hay River and City of Yellowknife said they've registered as interveners to participate in the rate application proceedings to keep rates as low as possible.
"In the current reality of rising costs, ensuring the delivery of reliable and sustainable power to residents and businesses at the lowest possible rate is of utmost importance," Yellowknife Mayor Rebecca Alty is quoted as saying in the statement.
Interveners register with the Public Utilities Board, which determines pricing, to receive copies of the application along with all written questions and answers.
Interveners can also take a more active role in the hearing process with the authority to submit their own questions, evidence and call expert witnesses.
The Town of Fort Smith also applied for intervener status Wednesday, along with Naka Power, Tuesday.
Friday's news release states that residents in the North already experience a high cost of living and that NTPC's proposed increase will "significantly contribute" to residents' and businesses' economic challenges.