HALIFAX – The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board has ruled that Nova Scotia Power (NSP) can’t cut down trees and branches to power lines without permission from municipalities.
“It creates a situation where, again, we have to work with municipalities individually and make sure that we can balance what they want to happen with the reliability of the system,” said David Rodenhiser, communications manager for NS.
The decision, posted online yesterday, comes after Halifax argued the utility company shouldn’t have the authority.
To prevent significant power outages like the ones that happened due to fallen trees and branches when post-tropical storm Arthur hit the province last year, NSP said it needs the authority to clear the area around 1,400 km of its lines.
The City of Halifax and NSP are currently negotiating a new agreement; Rodenhiser said the hope is that it’s finalized by the end of October.
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