Nova Scotia's opposition Conservatives are applying to intervene at hearings this fall into a proposed power rate increase.

Leader Jamie Baillie said his caucus has filed a letter seeking intervenor status with the province's regulator.

Hearings into Nova Scotia Power's latest request are scheduled to begin Sept. 19.

Power bills could rise an average of 7.3 per cent for all customers next year under the rate application filed by the private utility.

Baillie said Nova Scotians deserve to know why they are being asked to pay more for power.

He said the governing New Democrats repeatedly turn to taxpayers to pay for spending initiatives, and now it appears that's spilling over to utility ratepayers.

"One of the things we are determined to uncover is the extent to which the NDP's policies and regulations are driving this latest rate increase," Baillie said Saturday in a statement.