Newly released portions of an audit of Nova Scotia Power Inc. suggest the private utility was overpaying for fuel during dealings with a sister company.

The audit by Liberty Consulting Group originally had large portions blacked-out, but a ruling by the Utility and Review Board ordered more of the document be made public.

One section of the report – previously censored in its first release – says the utility spent $6 million more than necessary on natural gas over a two-year period, during a deal with an affiliated company.

The Liberty audit says NSP lost the benefit of an attractive natural gas offer from the affiliate company due to their inappropriate entry into discussions initiated by NSPI.

The sections of the audit released yesterday also say Nova Scotia Power didn’t aggressively pursue better deals for natural gas, nor did it look for ways to keep the costs of natural gas lower.

Liberty says NSP owes its customers a $22 million refund for poor purchasing practices over two years.

Nova Scotia Power has disputed the audit’s conclusions and maintained that portions of the report are defamatory and violate the privacy of employees.

NSPI’s lawyer told a UARB in August, the document should be kept confidential to protect employees.

“If this material is made public, specific harm will be caused to the reputations of directors, officers and employees of Nova Scotia Power, those of it’s corporate power, Emera Inc., as well as Nova Scotia Power and Emera as corporations,” Peter Downard told the board in August.

The UARB hearing on the matter continues on Oct. 29.