The Consumer Advocate is disappointed that the Public Utilities Board is not going to include Nalcor’s oil and gas revenue in the rate mitigation discussion.

The board is holding public hearings to look at ways of keeping the cost of electricity as low as possible. Without mitigation, Liberty Consulting estimates that the cost of electricity would more than double by 2039.

Board chair Darlene Whalen told advocate Dennis Browne on Friday that Nalcor’s revenue from oil and gas falls outside the board’s mandate.

Browne says that from a ratepayers’ perspective, they would be very interested in anyone who says there might be $2.4-billion that should’ve been considered for rate mitigation. However, Whalen says government can look at it if they wish but the board will not be dealing with it.

Liberty also told the board on Friday that Hydro should be very careful in choosing whether to close or keep the plant at Holyrood. They say it is not inconceivable that the plant would remain in operation post-Muskrat.