BILL NO. 162
(as introduced)
1st Session, 59th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
54 Elizabeth II, 2005
Public Utilities Act
(amended)
The Honourable Cecil P. Clarke
Minister of Energy
1st Session, 59th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
54 Elizabeth II, 2005
The Honourable Cecil P. Clarke
Minister of Energy
First Reading: April 21, 2005
Second Reading: April 25, 2005
Third Reading: May 19, 2005 (WITH COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS) (LINK TO BILL AS PASSED)
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This Bill provides that, where the Governor in Council directs or the Utility and Review Board on its own decides, a consumer advocate shall be appointed by the Board to participate in a hearing before the Board under the Public Utilities Act.
1 Chapter 380 of the Revised Statutes, 1989, the Public Utilities Act, is amended by adding immediately after Section 90 the following Section:
(2) A consumer advocate appointed pursuant to subsection (1)
(a) shall participate in all aspects of the hearing before the Board and represent the interests of consumers as a full intervenor with power to enter into settlement agreements with other parties; and
(b) has all the powers and authorities necessary to carry out the duties of a consumer advocate pursuant to this Section.
(3) The Board may fix fees to recover the direct and indirect costs incurred by a consumer advocate in performing the functions and duties of a consumer advocate pursuant to this Section.
(4) The fees referred to in subsection (3)
(a) shall be paid to the Board by the applicant or applicants in such proportion as determined by the Board; and
(b) may include the cost of retaining experts and legal counsel to provide the consumer advocate with advice, including testimony, on technical and legal matters.
(5) The Governor in Council may make regulations respecting the qualifications and experience of a consumer advocate.
2 This Act comes into force on such day as the Governor in Council orders and declares by proclamation.