March 25, 2025
FREDERICTON – Green Party Leader David Coon is calling for a Select Committee of the Legislature to hold public hearings on the options for restructuring NB Power. Premier Susan Holt recently announced that her government is looking at different options of what to do with NB Power.
“This can’t be done in the backrooms, like when Shawn Graham sprung his decision to sell NB Power on New Brunswickers as a fait accompli,” stated Coon. “NB Power is the people’s power company and people have a right to be engaged. Restructuring a public utility the size of NB Power is a complicated business. We need to take our time to get it right.”
In 2019 the BC government brought in a panel of external energy experts to carry out a comprehensive review of their provincial utility BC Hydro. This included looking at rate design, demand side management, and carbon pricing and electrification. This work resulted in an interim report in 2020, followed by public consultation and a final report in 2021.
“New Brunswickers deserve transparency and a real voice in the future of their power company. A Select Committee will ensure that all options are thoroughly examined in public, and that the people are front and center in this critical conversation about our electricity future,” added Coon.
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