Rate Design and Cost Allocation in Nova Scotia
On behalf of Counsel to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, Synapse reviewed the cost allocation and rate design proposals filed by the Town of Antigonish Electric Utility. The Board adopted many of Synapse's recommendations. For example, the Board required that in the utility's next general rate application, the utility provide a rate study using the basic customer method along with the current minimum system method and to complete a study on the appropriateness of the declining block rate structure and a plan to eliminate the structure if not cost-based. Further, within three years of the installation of AMI, the Board required that the utility file a rate study and update its class coincident peak and non-coincident peak allocation factors; assess the reasonableness of its existing Time-of-Day rates; and analyze advanced rate designs. Project completed in May 2024.