Nova Scotia Power wants to keep its biomass analysis private

Tomorrow, a hearing will reconvene in Nova Scotia over Nova Scotia Power's request to spend $208 million to build a wood burning power generating plant with NewPage Port Hawkesbury.

This hearing concerning the biomass project began in July, but was halted by the regulator's board chairman who said a decision was not possible until the board was able to accurately compare the biomass project with the other renewable energy proposals the power company had solicited.

But Nova Scotia Power does not want to disclose the project analysis that was prepared by Deloitte & Touche.

Nova Scotia Power does not want to share with the public how the biomass project compares to other renewable power projects. They have declared 22 of their 61 exhibits for the hearing as confidential.

Government regulators have now ordered Nova Scotia Power to submit a redacted version of the document.

In its decision on the use of confidential documents, "board decisions must contain sufficient information so that a reader can clearly understand how the board reached its decision," the board wrote.

It also said the public and the media should have maximum access to evidence filed by the power company when it comes before the board for approval of power rates and capital expenditures.

Source:
Partial disclosure - Review board orders NSP to produce more information about biomass project (Chronicle Herald)
Biomass rationale a secret - NSP won’t release renewable energy analysis that led to project (Chronicle Herald)