Members Named to Energy, Regulatory and Appeals Boards

Three appointments will round out membership on the new Nova Scotia Energy Board and Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board.

The new boards will replace the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board as of April 1.

“Government is working to modernize our energy sector. Having regulatory oversight that is focused on energy is critical to advancing that work,” said John Lohr, Minister of Finance and Treasury Board. “We’re pleased to appoint people of this calibre and experience to these roles. With these members in place, both boards will have the expertise they need to ensure accountability, transparency and regulatory fairness as we move towards a cleaner energy future for all Nova Scotians.”

The appointees are:

• Julia Clark, lawyer and current utility and review board member (Vice-Chair, Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board)
• Darlene Willcott, lawyer, Department of Justice (Nova Scotia Energy Board)
• Marc Dunning, engineer and lawyer (Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board).

Stephen McGrath, current utility and review board Chair, will serve as Chair of both new boards and current Vice-Chair Roland Deveau will serve as Vice-Chair of the energy board.

The remaining members will continue to serve the new boards:

• Nova Scotia Energy Board: Richard J. Melanson, Steven Murphy, Jennifer Nicholson
• Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board: Bruce Fisher, M. Kathleen McManus

The new energy board will have regulatory authority over energy utilities, including service reliability, energy efficiency, conservation and rates. Legislative changes will now require the board to consider affordability and the environment in its decisions.

The new regulatory and appeals board will take over remaining responsibilities of the former Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, such as regulatory authority over water utilities and considering property assessment appeals, auto insurance rates and planning appeals.

Quick Facts:

• appointments are for terms of up to 10 years; members may be reappointed for subsequent terms
• legislation requires each board to have five to seven full-time members
• remuneration is on par with pay scales for senior government officials, starting at about $175,000 for members, $188,000 for vice-chairs and $203,000 for the chair
• the Independent Energy System Operator was created as part of the legislation in the spring of 2024 to modernize the electricity system

Additional Resources

Energy Reform Act (2024): https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/PDFs/annual%20statutes/2024%20Spring/c002.pdf

News Release - Board Appointed for New Energy System Operator: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/02/19/board-appointed-new-energy-system-operator

News Release – Legislation to Modernize Electricity System, Improve Regulation: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2024/02/27/legislation-modernize-electricity-system-improve-regulation