Premier Shawn Graham is promising that New Brunswick will have a say in NB Power's operations even after the province's electrical utility is in Quebec's hands.

The New Brunswick and Quebec governments are still negotiating the final agreement that would see most of NB Power's assets go to Hydro-Québec for $4.8 billion.

Graham told reporters Monday he has heard many of the concerns raised by citizens about loss of control over the province's energy policy.

The Liberal premier said the deal with Hydro-Québec isn't signed and there will be changes surrounding what input New Brunswickers will have once the company is sold.

"I've listened and I've heard that the energy sovereignty was very important and New Brunswickers want to maintain that ability to set energy policy and maintain control," Graham said.

"So the final deal, when it is finalized, I think it's going to reflect those concerns."

The deal that announced in late October would have Quebec pay $4.8 billion for NB Power, which would erase the utility's debt.

At the same time, New Brunswick residential customers would get a five-year freeze on their power rates and large industrial consumers would have their power prices reduced to the levels in Quebec.

Complicated deal

Energy Minister Jack Keir admits it is a complicated deal and there's a lot of misinformation about it showing up on blogs and social networks.

Keir said it's up to him to try to set the record straight.

"If the perception out there for some New Brunswickers is that we're giving up our sovereignty, I'm going to do my best to make sure that I get the information out to them that shows that we aren't giving up that sovereignty," Keir said.

"Certainly, we're having discussions right now with Hydro-Québec on how we can best do that."

Graham said New Brunswick will maintain complete control over its energy policies. He said New Brunswick will set the rules and Hydro-Québec must follow them.

The New Brunswick government has commissioned an expert advisory panel that will report to the province later this month on the tentative agreement.

Under the proposed timeline, the legislature is expected to approve the sale by April 1.