7 months ago
Newfoundland Power faces scrutiny over soaring bills
In Newfoundland, Canada, many people who get their electricity from Newfoundland Power are very upset because their bills have gone up a lot.
Some people's bills have even gone up to nine times what they usually pay.
One person said their small shed's electricity bill went from $22 to $207 in one month.
The people who use this electricity company have called and emailed to complain, and more than 80 people did this in November.
The person who helps customers, Dennis Browne, thinks the old electricity meters might be the problem.
He wants the company to check why the bills are so high.
The company hasn't given a good answer yet, and people are waiting to find out why their bills are so much higher.
Customers of Newfoundland Power report massive spikes in electricity bills, with some bills increasing up to nine times the usual amount.
One customer's unused shed's electricity bill went from $22 to $207 in January.
Over 80 complaints were received by the Consumer Advocate's office in November.
Consumer Advocate Dennis Browne has called for an investigation into the bill increases and criticized the use of outdated meters.
Newfoundland Power has not provided a clear explanation for the bill spikes.
- Who
- Customers of Newfoundland Power and Consumer Advocate Dennis Browne
- What
- Complaints about massive spikes in electricity bills
- Where
- Newfoundland, Canada
- When
- Recent months, with specific mention of November and January
- Why
- Unclear, with customers seeking investigation into the cause
Key facts
- Company
- Newfoundland Power
- Location
- Newfoundland, Canada
- Complaints
- Over 80 calls and emails in November
- Bill Increase
- Up to 9 times the usual amount
- Meter Type
- Outdated, non-smart meters
- Consumer Advocate
- Dennis Browne
- Regulatory Body
- Public Utilities Board
Quotes
Unnamed customer
A customer of Newfoundland Power
“For our shed and our house, we’re close to $900 for a month of electricity.”
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“For our electricity bill to be over $600 burning wood, what would it be if we didn’t have wood?”
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Dennis Browne
Consumer Advocate of the province of Newfoundland
“Newfoundland Power’s meters are regarded as outdated and are not used in other jurisdictions due to all the advantages associated with smart meters.”
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