Nova Scotia regulators have given the green light to Nova Scotia Power to start rolling out $13 million in energy conservation programs across the province.

There should be "no further delay" in trying to get homeowners, businesses and the poor to start using less electricity, the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board ruled Wednesday.

Alan Richardson, Nova Scotia Power’s commercial vice-president, said the utility is pleased to get the go-ahead and customers should be able to start taking advantage of the programs by the end of June.

Consumer advocate John Merrick, who represents 440,000 Nova Scotia Power residential customers across the province, called the review board’s decision "very important" for the Nova Scotia economy and the environment.

"This is the beginning of a focused and vigorous approach to energy conservation," he said.

The board has deferred the contentious issue of who will pay for the programs, referred to as demand side management, until the next general power rate hearing.

"The board will put (aside) consideration of revenue-related issues . . . for the next rate hearing," the board wrote in its 28-page decision.

No decision on electricity rates for 2009 has been made, Nova Scotia Power spokeswoman Margaret Murphy said Wednesday...

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