BILL NO. 148
(as introduced)
1st Session, 65th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
4 Charles III, 2025
Private Member's Public Bill
Transmission Modernization Act
The Honourable Derek Mombourquette
Sydney–Membertou
First Reading: September 25, 2025
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
An Act to Strengthen
Nova Scotia's Transmission Infrastructure
Be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:
WHEREAS the Province of Nova Scotia recognizes the urgent need to modernize and expand its electrical transmission system to enable greater integration of renewable energy, improve reliability and support businesses;
AND WHEREAS upgrading long-range transmission lines to a minimum standard of 138 kilovolts will ensure system stability, efficiency and resilience against future demand growth;
THEREFORE be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:
1 This Act may be cited as the Transmission Modernization Act.
"Board" means the Nova Scotia Energy Board;
"long-range transmission line" means any high-voltage overhead or underground line with a length greater than 20 kilometres and primarily intended to transmit bulk electricity between generation sites, substations or interconnections;
"upgrade" means replacement, refurbishment or reconstruction of existing transmission lines to meet the minimum voltage standard established under this Act;
"Utility" means Nova Scotia Power Incorporated or any successor company responsible for the transmission and distribution of electricity within the Province.
3 (1) All long-range transmission lines owned, operated or maintained by the Utility must be upgraded to a minimum voltage capacity of 138 kilovolts.
(2) No new long-range transmission line may be constructed with a voltage capacity below 138 kilovolts.
4 (1) Within 12 months of the coming into force of this Act, the Utility shall file with the Board for approval a Transmission Upgrade Plan that
(a) identifies all existing long-range transmission lines with voltage capacity below 138 kilovolts;
(b) establishes a schedule for upgrades, prioritizing reliability, renewable energy integration and regional interconnection needs; and
(c) provides cost estimates and financing strategies for upgrades, including opportunities for federal cost-sharing or private investment.
(2) The Board shall review and, where it approves the Transmission Upgrade Plan, it may impose conditions, timelines or reporting requirements.
(3) All upgrades required under this Act must be completed within five years of this Act coming into force, unless an extension is granted by the Board for reasons of public interest.
5 The Utility shall submit to the Minister of Energy and to the Board an annual progress report on
(a) the status of upgrades required under this Act;
(b) expenditures incurred and a forecast on expected progress; and
(c) reliability improvements and renewable energy integration capacity achieved as a result of upgrades.
6 (1) The Board may issue compliance orders to ensure that upgrades proceed in a timely and efficient manner.
(2) The Board may impose administrative penalties of up to $500,000 per day for failure to comply with this Act or an order of the Board.
7 (1) The Governor in Council may make regulations respecting
(a) technical standards for 138 kilovolts line construction and operation;
(b) exemptions or special conditions for specific projects;
(c) timelines for phased implementation;
(d) any other matter or thing the Governor in Council considers necessary or advisable to carry out effectively the intent and purpose of this Act.
(2) The exercise by the Governor in Council of the authority in subsection (1) is a regulation within the meaning of the Regulations Act.