Nova Scotia's privately owned electric company is increasing the rates by about 4%. According to a CBC article, "Some have to choose between heating and eating as N.S. power rates go up again," this will be the third increase in five years and many poor residents and welfare recipitants can't afford to pay any more. The Affordable Energy Coalition, a coalition of anti-poverty and environmental groups are worried that the power utility will tie electricity prices to fossil fuel costs. They are pushing for Nova Scotia to become less dependent on fossil fuels and to focus on energy efficiency, and lower prices for low income people.