Proposed SaskPower rate hike draws concern from NDP and business

A pulp mill company in northern Saskatchewan says it's very concerned about a proposed rate hike from SaskPower.

SaskPower is asking the Saskatchewan Rate Review Panel for a rate increase of five per cent effective July 1 and another five per cent effective Jan. 1.

Paper Excellence, which owns Meadow Lake Mechanical Pulp, says in a letter that it needs to look for ways reduce its overall electrical load, but insists it does not have plans for layoffs.

Opposition NDP Leader Trent Wotherspoon blames the rate increase on the $1.5 billion cost of the province's carbon capture facility and says the hike will force employers to lay off workers.

SaskPower CEO Mike Marsh says on the company's website that the Crown corporation knows no one wants to hear about a rate increase and times are tight.

But Marsh says most of the province's power system is 30 to 50 years old and needs ongoing repair or replacement.