Johnny Chase was surprised to see his bill increase after Hurricane Dorian knocked his power out for a week. (Photo: Johnny Chase)
Some Nova Scotia Power customers are still feeling the impacts of Hurricane Dorian on their bills.
Johnny Chase is originally from Bridgewater but now lives in Kingston Nova Scotia.
Chase says he was surprised when he received his latest power bill.
“When I got the bill yesterday it was $120 more than my previous billing cycle and I thought that was kind of strange since it hadn’t been cold enough to use any heat, I hadn’t been using any more electronics than usual and I hadn’t had power for seven days.”
Chase says his estimated power use was way out of line. (Photo: Johnny Chase)
Chase called the power corporation and learned they estimated his usage as their staff were focused on restoring power instead of reading meters.
He says his bill was adjusted but wants to make the public aware to check their statements.
In an e-mail, Spokesperson for Nova Scotia Power Patti Lewis says customers whose meters would normally have been read last week are receiving estimated bills.
She says the practice is normal in winter when snow or ice conditions make it unsafe for personnel to read meters.
Lewis says customer usage for the same period the year before is used to estimate bills and the next time the meter is read, any over or under estimate will be taken into account and their bill will be adjusted.
Lewis says customers can send a picture of their meter or read their meter usage over the phone to have their bill adjusted sooner.
And anyone in financial hardship because of Hurricane Dorian can speak to one of their Customer Service Associates to make alternative payment arrangements.
Reported by: Ed Halverson
Twitter: @edwardhalverson
E-mail: halverson.ed@radioabl.ca
