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Home Energy Affordability and Efficiency Plan

Full Title:
Energy Affordability Act

Summary#

The Energy Affordability Act aims to lower home energy costs and reduce energy poverty in Nova Scotia. It tells the Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables to design and launch a new residential energy support program by the end of 2025, if funding is approved by the Legislature. It also strengthens energy efficiency targets and plans a long-term shift away from oil heat.

  • Creates a single, integrated program to help households with energy bills and home upgrades.
  • Merges existing programs (HomeWarming and Home Energy Assessment) and gives priority to customers with high bills or payment troubles.
  • Requires Nova Scotia Power to offer an arrears-management plan so customers can work down past-due balances by joining the program and paying on time.
  • Expands and reviews emergency bill aid (like the HEAT Fund) and may add funding if programs run year-round, are easy to access, and are based on need.
  • Sets stronger efficiency goals, including a province-wide savings standard, rising electricity savings targets, and a plan to phase out oil heating by 2050, with milestones along the way.
  • Focuses benefits on low-income and marginalized residents.

What it means for you#

  • Households

    • You may get help paying energy bills and access to home upgrades through one main program, starting by the end of 2025.
    • If your bills are high or you’ve struggled to pay, you would be prioritized for support.
    • Programs that once felt separate should be simpler to find and use.

  • Low-income and marginalized residents

    • A minimum share of efficiency funding must go to low-income programs.
    • The government must prioritize fair access and benefits for those most in need.

  • Customers behind on bills

    • Nova Scotia Power must propose an arrears plan that lets you reduce past-due amounts by taking part in efficiency or affordability services and by paying future bills on time.
    • The plan needs approval from the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.

  • Renters and homeowners

    • More home energy assessments, insulation, heat pumps, and other upgrades could become available, which can lower monthly bills.
    • “Deep retrofits” (major home improvements for energy savings) will be encouraged.

  • Homes heated with oil

    • The province will plan to phase out oil heating by 2050, with targets along the way.
    • Expect more options and incentives over time to switch from oil to other heating, like electric heat pumps.

  • Community service providers

    • Emergency aid programs, such as the HEAT Fund (Home Energy Assistance Top‑up), will be reviewed and could get more funding if they meet year-round, easy-access, need-based conditions.

  • Energy efficiency industry

    • Contractors, auditors, and suppliers may see more steady work as savings targets rise and programs expand.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

  • Will lower energy bills for families and help people avoid choosing between heat and other essentials.
  • A single, integrated program makes support easier to find and use, reducing red tape and confusion.
  • Arrears-management offers a practical path out of utility debt and can reduce disconnections.
  • Stronger energy efficiency targets cut waste, ease pressure on the grid, and help meet climate goals.
  • Phasing out oil heat improves air quality and reduces reliance on volatile fuel prices.
  • Directing funds to low-income and marginalized households makes the transition fairer.

Opponents' View#

  • Could be costly to the province and utilities; expenses may lead to higher taxes or electricity rates if not carefully managed.
  • Merging programs and building a new system by 2025 may be complex and hard to deliver on time.
  • Letting customers reduce arrears may create unfairness for those who pay on time, or encourage non-payment.
  • Phasing out oil heat may burden homeowners—especially in rural areas—with upgrade costs and limited alternatives in the short term.
  • Meeting rising savings targets (up to 3% per year by 2030) may be difficult and could fund measures with uneven results.
  • Broad, need-based emergency aid without income limits could stretch funds thin and reduce targeting to the very poorest.