Possible NB Power sale worries Dexter

Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter says he's worried about the impact of a pending deal between New Brunswick's NB Power and  Hydro-Québec.

The premier said he's concerned about how power rates and renewable energy projects in Nova Scotia will be affected if NB Power is sold in part or in full.

"Anything that affects rates, that affects energy policy, transmission capacity, all of those things would potentially have a significant impact on the province," he said.

The announcement of a memorandum of understanding between the two utilities is set to take place Thursday in Fredericton. The terms of the deal have not been divulged.

Nova Scotia exports electricity through New Brunswick and receives backup power from that province. NB Power's goal is to reduce the burden of the utility's $4.8-billion debt.

Dexter said he was advised about the pending deal in a phone call Wednesday with New Brunswick premier Shawn Graham. He said he also planned to talk with Quebec premier Jean Charest.

"I have, over the last number of months, been looking to promote Maritime interests," said Dexter. "There's a difference between promoting Maritime interests and selling Maritime interests."

Nova Scotia is in the process of developing hydro-electric energy in the Bay of Fundy, a project that may be affected if transmission lines through New Brunswick are no longer readily available.