The Saskatchewan Rate Review Panel is recommending that the next two delivery rate increases of 5% cannot be considered until further updated financial forecasts are provided by SaskEnergy.
In its review released Dec. 16, the Panel also wants the date for the proposed delivery rate increase for 2023-24 be deferred from June 1, 2023 to July 1, 2023, and for 2024-25 be deferred from June 1, 2024 to July 1, 2024. This it says will provide a sufficient review period to consider the required updated financial information from the company.
A third recommendation from the Panel is that since the Gas Cost Variance Account (GCVA) is forecast to be discharged by April 2023, SaskEnergy should make an application to the Panel at that time to reduce the commodity rate.
The Panel made several recommendations to SaskEnergy ranging from greater transparency regarding transportation and storage rate increases to increased collaboration with other crown corporations to enhance productivity and efficiencies.
Meanwhile, the Saskatchewan NDP is calling on the Sask. Party government to adopt the recommendations. In a statement the opposition party calls on the government to scrap the proposed rate increase stating it would make life more expensive for Saskatchewan people.