Too many N.B.ers are living in 'energy poverty,' says Saint John activist

A group that studies social issues and advocates on behalf of New Brunswickers with low incomes is disappointed in a recent decision on power rates.

The Energy and Utilities Board approved N.B. Power's application to raise rates by about 19 per cent over two years.

That will mean another increase next April, almost as high as this year's, of 9.25 per cent, which was ratified Nov. 8 by the board.

"Much like death and taxes, I think increases in N.B. Power rates are probably baked-in in this province for the foreseeable future," said Randy Hatfield, executive director of the Human Development Council, based in Saint John.

"And if that is the case, then we have to be very much aware of the hardship that that's going to leave a number of New Brunswick ratepayers in."

Many New Brunswickers would already be classed as being in energy poverty, said Hatfield, though there is no universally accepted threshold to define that.

According to a report by the council, the federal government defines energy poverty as paying more than 10 per cent of household income on energy, which would affect 14.6 per cent of households in the province. Other groups use a six per cent threshold, bumping the numbers up to 36.3 per cent of households in the province.

With higher electricity rates, the portion of people in energy poverty can be expected to grow.

Some older couples living on pensions, for example, don't have the flexibility to afford an additional $30 to $50 for electricit when other expenses, such as rent, are also up by about $300 a month, said Hatfield.

To help people cope with that type of situation, the council is calling for a comprehensive policy on energy poverty. 

These exist in many other provinces and have for quite some time.

"Nova Scotia is 20 years ahead of us," Hatfield said.

One pillar of such a program is emergency benefits, he said, noting this type of funding is already available in New Brunswick for both fuel and rent.

A number of other programs are also available to help cut down energy use and costs, said Dominique Couture, a spokesperson for N.B. Power.