The Public Utilities Board is calling on Newfoundland Power to review meter readings and customer usage after a sudden spike in last month’s power bills resulted in a flood of complaints to the regulator.

The PUB says it has received a “significant number” of inquiries from customers, and a request for the board to investigate the matter.

The board says Newfoundland Power should review the situation and report to them by March 21st. The PUB is also asking the utility to advise as to the measures it currently employs to ensure billing accuracy and reduce billing volatility. It also wants the company to advise whether additional measures are being considered, and the reasons for recent customer billing increases.

The PUB also wants to know whether any billing errors were detected while reviewing customer inquiries. The board says it wants Newfoundland Power to tell them what measures it plans to take to provide customers flexibility in payment for higher bills, and to provide “enhanced communication” to customers in relation to the matter.