Newfoundland Power finds no billing errors after review

Newfoundland Power has completed a review of over 7,500 customer bills and found no errors in pricing or meter readings. The company stated that recent higher bills are mainly due to colder and windier weather in February. CEO Gary Murray explained that the winter conditions increased energy demand for home heating. Murray mentioned that all bills undergo a review before being sent to customers. The recent investigation was prompted by 577 calls from concerned customers reporting inflated bills, averaging 40 to 50 calls a day. Some residents noted their bills had doubled, raising questions about meter accuracy. The Public Utilities Board had requested Newfoundland Power to ensure accuracy in their readings. Since 2018, the company tested over 5,000 meters and achieved a 99.9% accuracy rate. The review highlighted that temperature drops and increased wind contributed to higher heating costs, even if thermostat settings remained unchanged. Other factors affecting bills included variations in billing days. If a meter reading was delayed, customers might see increased charges due to extra days. Additionally, a 7% rate hike last August added to overall costs. Newfoundland Power aims to improve communication about how winter weather affects electricity bills. They are also working on flexible payment options for customers. Meanwhile, the company is expected to file for another rate increase by the end of April, likely effective in July. Consumer advocate Dennis Browne suggested that implementing smart meters could help prevent future public concerns. He believes that better access to usage information would allow customers to manage their energy consumption more effectively.