BILL NO. 152

(as introduced)

1st Session, 60th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
56 Elizabeth II, 2007

Private Member's Bill

Public Utilities Act
(amended)

H. David Wilson
Glace Bay

First Reading: March 26, 2007

(Explanatory Note)

Second Reading:

Third Reading:

This Bill provides that an electrical utility cannot discontinue service to a residential customer during the winter months by reason of the non-payment for the service.

1 Chapter 380 of the Revised Statutes, 1989, the Public Utilities Act, is amended by adding immediately after Section 60 the following Section:

60A (1) A public utility shall not discontinue the supply of electrical energy to residential premises between November 1st and March 1st by reason of the non-payment for the electrical energy before

(a) the utility has advised the customer that the utility may discontinue the supply of electrical energy; and

(b) the customer has been afforded a reasonable opportunity to apply to the utility to continue the supply of electrical energy notwithstanding the non-payment.

(2) Where the customer demonstrates to the utility a bona fide inability to pay for the supply of the electrical energy, the utility shall not discontinue the supply of electrical energy to the residential premises between November 1st and March 1st.

(3) The Governor in Council may make regulations

(a) respecting applications under this Section;

(b) defining any word or expression used in this Section and not defined in this Act;

(c) respecting any matter or thing the Governor in Council considers necessary or advisable to carry out effectively the intent and purpose of this Section.