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How much will BC Hydro bills really go up on April 1?
The claim that BC Hydro bills will increase by an “average” of 3.75 percent contains enough spin to make you dizzy. In fact, almost 80…
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Was the BC government’s recent Order to the BCUC legal?
The Utilities Commission Act prevents the government from overriding a BCUC decision. It may have done just that. Introduction The BC government recently issued an…
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BC government hammers another nail in the coffin of BCUC independence
In bypassing the regulator, the government has set rates for BC Hydro that are probably too low. This will create big problems down the road,…
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BC Hydro’s plans to keep bill increases low are under pressure
BC Hydro’s third quarter financial results are out. The promise of limiting bill increases to 2.3 percent for the next four years is looking distinctly…
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BCUC improves regulation of BC’s thermal energy systems
The BC Utilities Commission has deregulated many thermal energy systems and strengthened consumer protection. It could have gone a bit further, though. Introduction The BC…
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Utilities Commission rejects BC Hydro’s request to delay its next integrated resource plan
The delay was not justified, and would have undermined recent improvements in BC Hydro’s planning process. The BCUC was right to reject the request. On…
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Will we ever get to see BC’s 2024 climate accountability report?
The 2024 Report was due in June last year. What could be holding it up? As I reported in July last year, the government still…
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Electrification trumps affordability as BC Hydro abandons its two-tier residential rate structure
Today’s rate design is being phased out to encourage the transition to a cleaner economy. Most BC Hydro residential customers, especially those on low incomes,…
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BC Hydro wants to delay its next integrated resource plan
Well, that’s a shocker – BC Hydro wants an extra year to develop its next long-term plan. Approving the request is a bad idea, but…
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Surrey and BC Hydro in $41 million property dispute
The City’s allegation that transmission facilities are trespassing on a highway is unlikely to succeed. Surrey taxpayers and BC Hydro’s ratepayers will pay the cost…