Twin Cities News

Adam Rose
Twin Cities News

On April 15, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro filed an application with the Public Utilities Board. They are seeking approval for rate adjustments in collaboration with Newfoundland Power Inc. to limit the rate increase associated with hydro costs to 2.25 per cent for island domestic customers for July 1.

Customers are outraged over the future increase planned for this coming summer and have been fuming for the past 5 months over the higher-than-normal electrical bills.

During Dec. 2024, Jan. and Feb., Newfoundland Power issued high-pain-staking bills to many customers throughout the province.

Customers have expressed their frustration regarding the high billing, stating they did not turn the heat up because they could not afford to.

“Something is not right. Not every meter has a problem, yet everybody is complaining,” says Alice Brown, who has been a Newfoundland Power customer for 40 years.

The customers have said they keep track of their meter readings, and the numbers do not add up, nor does the Newfoundland Powers audit.

“Nobody came by to inspect my meter, not even when I was not home, or my alarm clock would be flashing ‘twelve o’clock,’ ‘twelve o’clock,’ ‘twelve o’clock.’” says Jane Drover.

Drover has been a customer for 50 years and has never seen such an expensive bill as high as it is now — from $100 to $356.

Cindy Freake has been a new resident in a second-floor apartment building since March. She said she expected her electrical bill to decrease significantly as she consumes less electricity in her apartment than in her townhouse.

“My December 2024 bill was $130 and shot up to over $300 in January and $400 in February, so I downsized from a townhouse to a 3-bedroom apartment,” says Freake.  

Brown, Freake, and Drover reside in St. John’s. The three have agreed that they are fed up with the high electrical prices, considering Trump’s Tariffs have spared Newfoundland’s energy sector.

Brown, Freake, and Drover say they do not agree with the Newfoundland Power internal audit or with the Public Utilities Board’s use of the excuse that this winter was colder than the previous year.

Brown, Freake, and Drover compared their electrical bills, discussed their power consumption, and kept the heaters on low when at home while each said to be wearing sweaters, warming up in their cars, and when spending the coldest days at the mall their heaters at home are turned off. 

According to Newfoundland Power’s stakeholder and communications director, Glenda Power, “Newfoundland Power conducted an internal audit, meters were tested and passed with a 99.9 per cent accuracy.”

According to the Public Utilities Board, the audit conducted is accurate. This winter had windy conditions and cold days, which usually caused people to increase their power consumption.