Retail Gasoline Dealers Association (RGDA) is pleased to announce that the Nova Scotia Energy Board (NSEB) has approved interim relief to provide immediate support for independent fuel retailers facing increased operating costs and financial pressures across the province.
On May 26, 2026, the NSEB issued both a Decision Letter and an Interim Order approving temporary increases to regulated retail fuel mark-ups and updates to the province’s credit card adjuster framework, effective 12:01 a.m. on May 29, 2026.
This decision follows an emergency application submitted by RGDA on April 10, 2026, requesting interim relief and a comprehensive review of the province’s retail margin framework. The application highlighted rising operational expenses that have reduced retailer profitability since the current mark-up structure was established using 2019 data.
NSEB acknowledged that increased costs for credit card fees, wages, utilities, insurance, environmental compliance, and equipment maintenance have placed significant financial strain on retailers, especially in rural and underserved areas. NSEB concluded that an emergency may exist, potentially threatening petroleum supply and the viability of fuel retail operations in Nova Scotia.
Interim Mark-Up Adjustments Approved
As part of the interim relief, NSEB approved increases to the regulated retail mark-up using the Gardner Pinfold methodology, reflecting a 45% rise in minimum wages since 2019 and inflation-adjusted non-wage operating costs.
Effective May 29, 2026:
- The minimum self-service and full-service retail mark-up will increase from 5.4 cents per litre to 7.1 cents per litre.
- The maximum self-service retail mark-up will increase from 7.4 cents per litre to 9.7 cents per litre.
While NSEB did not approve RGDA’s full request of 10.2 cents per litre at this stage, it confirmed that a comprehensive review of the retail margin methodology will take place during the upcoming hearing.
Credit Card Adjuster Updated
NSEB also approved interim changes to the province’s credit card adjuster framework. The previous model, established in 2022, was based on 2019 data and assumed that 40% of fuel purchases were made with credit cards.
RGDA provided evidence that credit card usage rose to between 55% and 65% in 2025. NSEB accepted this and increased the usage assumption from 40% to 57%, while keeping the merchant fee rate at 1.75% and maintaining the original 2019 base price assumptions for gasoline and diesel.
Based on current regulated prices, the revised credit card adjuster is expected to increase as follows:
- From 0.6 cents per litre to 1.0 cents per litre for gasoline
- From 0.7 cents per litre to 1.2 cents per litre for diesel
The adjuster will continue to change weekly in response to regulated fuel prices.
Formal Investigation and Hearing to Follow
NSEB confirmed that this interim relief is the first step in a broader regulatory review. A formal investigation under Section 24(2)(a) of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulations will now begin, followed by a public hearing.
NSEB also indicated that:
- A Hearing Order outlining procedural timelines will be issued shortly.
- An independent consultant may be retained to review the retail markup methodology and the credit card adjuster.
- A confidential industry survey will likely be conducted to gather additional operational data from retailers.
- Retailers and stakeholders will have further opportunities to participate in the hearing process.
The interim measures will remain in effect until further order of NSEB.
RGDA thanks retailers and industry members who participated in surveys, provided operational data, and communicated the urgency of the situation to regulators. Your evidence and support were instrumental in securing this interim relief.
RGDA will continue to update members as hearing timelines and additional procedural details become available.