Category: General commentary

The recent budget suggests the BCUC will be sidestepped again. It’s been years since BC Hydro’s rates were set independently; the new Auditor General should take a good, hard look. Introduction As part of setting just and reasonable rates, the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) usually determines how much net income a utility is allowed to…

From misleading government press releases to statistical revisions, it’s hard to be sure BC has made any progress at all reducing GHG emissions. And things are about to get worse. Introduction The BC government has one job when it comes to its climate change activities – reducing GHG emissions in the province. It has legislated…

The government has been promoting electrification without knowing where the electricity will come from. The dire consequences for BC’s economy are becoming clearer. CleanBC The NDP took office in BC in 2017 thanks to support from the three Green party MLAs. The price of the Greens’ support included a promise that the NDP would “Implement…

But if the deal doesn’t go ahead, will the North Coast Transmission Line be a white elephant paid for by BC Hydro ratepayers? Introduction The other day the BC government announced a Memorandum of Understanding between BC Hydro, the provincially-owned electric utility, and Ksi Lisims liquefied natural gas (LNG), a proposed floating export terminal on…

BC Hydro’s claim to have met its 100 percent clean electricity goal is not supported by the evidence. It should be more transparent if it wants the government’s electrification strategy to be credible. Introduction In its 2024/25 annual report, BC Hydro proudly states: “With 98% of our electricity in B.C. coming from renewable sources, electrification…

The questions are a good start. But the BCUC should go further, and initiate a formal inquiry. Introduction BC Hydro’s Site C dam was completed in 2025. While BC will probably be grateful for this new supply of firm energy, the project was a year late and more than $7 billion over budget. In May…

We should understand the real cost of maintaining our energy independence. Are we willing to pay for it? Introduction Since 2016, BC’s Clean Energy Act has required BC Hydro to “achieve electricity self sufficiency,” meeting its needs solely from generating facilities within the Province. And yet, it has imported nearly two billion dollars worth of…

The trend is improving, but we’re still feeling the effects of the drought Annual reports According to BC Hydro’s annual report to the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) for 2024/25 (F2025), it imported more electricity than it exported for the second year in a row. The $496 million cost of the net imports was less than…

As the year comes to a close, it’s time to look back at my predictions for 2025. How clear was the Just and Reasonable crystal ball? 1. The BC government will fail to meet its 2025 GHG emission reductions target I’d say this prediction was mostly on the money. BC’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are…

Operating expense increases will likely cause rates to rise after the government-imposed rate cap expires. It shows the folly of the BCUC abandoning its plan to impose some fiscal discipline on the utility. Introduction BC Hydro just released its second quarter results for fiscal 2026 (F2026), the financial year ending March 31, 2026. There was…