NB 1323
Oct. 27, 2006
FREDERICTON (CNB) - The commitment to have an electricity no-disconnect policy during the winter months for people with legitimate economic needs will be fulfilled, Energy Minister Jack Keir announced today.
NB Power will not disconnect customers with legitimate needs during winter months, specifically from Nov. 1st to March 31, as was promised in the Charter for Change. Those customers will have to submit information showing that they are in financial situations that prevent them from paying their entire electricity bill.
As it has done in the past, NB Power will work closely with clients who have trouble paying bills. The Department of Family and Community Services will continue to work with their clients and NB Power to establish a mutually acceptable repayment schedule.
"We are very pleased that another commitment has been kept that will prevent undue hardship for the most vulnerable in our society," Keir said. "We feel that this is important for safety, and to provide decent living conditions for many of families in New Brunswick."
The minister reiterated that the process improvement does not take away from the fact that government realizes that people should and must pay their electricity bills. "However, we also understand that for those people who are having a difficult time making ends meet, they deserve to make it through the winter without fear that their electricity, and in turn, their heat, will be cut off," the minister said.
Keir said one of the problems which has surfaced during closer examination of this issue is that often, when homeowners and individuals are faced with a electricity bill they cannot pay, they do not fully communicate their situation to NB Power or to the Department of Family and Community Services. This could go a long way toward helping to address their problem.
"We have discovered through meetings of all stakeholders that there is often a challenge in getting people to come forward and give the information that would allow arrangements to be made to help them," Keir said. "We want to improve this and work with the people who need help the most. At the same time, it is important for consumers to realize that those people who can afford it must continue to pay for the electricity they consume."
Keir also encourages New Brunswickers who have had challenges in meeting energy costs in the past to contact Efficiency NB and inquire about their existing homes upgrade program, as well as the energy efficiency retrofit program for the low-income households.
06/10/27
MEDIA CONTACT: Marc Belliveau, Energy, 506-444-5912.
06/10/27