Public Power

Something wrong when a municipal power plant is not on a level playing field with the private sector. One of the smartest things previous councils in Summerside has done is maintain our own power plant. Fundamentally, I could never support private enterprise managing our power, water or septic systems.

City to make a case for cheaper power at IRAC hearing SUMMERSIDEMIKE CARSON Transcontinental Media
City officials will be going before the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission next month to fight for better electric rates for residents.Summerside chief administrative officer Terry Murphy said the city is being treated unfairly when it comes to energy charges to its citizens.“We presently pay about $100 per citizen, per user of electricity on the Island in Summerside to transmit the energy we receive from Bedeque, here, into Summerside,” Murphy said. He noted wind developers on P.E.I. can ship their wind off-Island for approximately $20 per customer in Summerside and the wind shipped into Summerside from the West Cape area is about $30 per customer.“So, we have some issues with the rates that are set out in the open Access Transmission Tariff proposal and this is part of that process to try to get better rates for citizens here in Summerside,” he said.The purpose of the Maritime Electric Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) is to provide non-discriminatory open-access transmission service over the Maritime Electric transmission system under the terms and conditions of the Maritime Electric OATT.Power is transmitted via two 200-megawatt underwater cables located in the Richmond Cove area by Bedeque that take the power.The lines lead from the power substation in Bedeque and travel to the shoreline through the Fernwood area and then go underground across the Northumberland Strait to Murray Corner in New Brunswick.Murphy said the city is not looking for a break on its rate. It just wants to be put on the same playing field as other users.“We’re looking to be treated fairly,” he said. “Here on the Island when energy contracts and the cables were put in, they were put in for the use of all Islanders. That included at that time Maritime Electric was going out and purchasing the energy in particular energy quotas from both Dalhousie and Lepreau, which would be for the use of all Islanders. “Since Maritime Electric terminated our contract back in 2002 we have not had any access to that specific energy and we purchase our energy directly from the portfolio of energies provided by New Brunswick Power,” he explained. “And thus, to a degree one would argue that we’re presently subsidizing the electrical users here in P.E.I. because they are getting full use of that lower rated energy coming from both those sources.”The city will go before the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission on Oct. 28 to argue its position.