Category: General commentary

In addition to letters of comment, interveners will now get to make a final argument, but the BC Sustainable Energy Association still won’t be able to participate. Introduction Earlier this month I described some procedural issues with the BC Utility Commission’s review of BC Hydro’s proposed long term resource plan for Fort Nelson. The BC…

In a win for transparency, the BC Utilities Commission reverses an earlier ruling that its reasons for the Cambie Gardens Energy complaint decision should be confidential. Background The matter concerns a complaint filed jointly by SUCCESS Affordable Housing Society (SUCCESS) and the City of Vancouver (City) against Cambie Gardens Energy Limited Partnership (Cambie Gardens Energy).…

The BC Utilities Commission’s failure to conduct proceedings in a public and open manner is undermining its credibility as an impartial adjudicator. Introduction The BCUC has been cutting back on public involvement in its proceedings all year. In the name of regulatory efficiency, a worthy enough cause, it has declined to involve public advocacy groups…

BCUC reverses its decision to oversee BC Hydro’s planning of diesel replacements in non-integrated areas, despite pleas from First Nations. Introduction On October 22, 2024, the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) reversed an earlier decision that had ordered BC Hydro to develop a long-term resource plan for its non-integrated areas, and instead accepted the utility’s proposed…

Using some natural gas for building heat may allow us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions faster and with less risk to the reliability of the electricity grid. Introduction In July, the City voted to reverse its 2022 policy banning the use of natural gas for heating and hot water in new homes in the municipality,…

Evidence is mounting that the BC Utilities Commission is no longer independently regulating the provincially owned electricity utility. Introduction On October 22, 2024, the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) reversed an April 2023 directive that BC Hydro submit a long-term resource plan for its non-integrated areas. Non-integrated areas are places where BC Hydro provides electricity service,…

We’re going to need a lot more electricity from somewhere, and the nuclear option is looking increasingly credible. Recent announcements Three recent items in the press caught my eye: All three announcements relate to nuclear energy, but they have more in common than that. These are all companies whose future relies on access to large…

The BCUC’s decision probably has valuable lessons for the thermal energy systems market in BC and may signal a change in approach to its regulation. We should know the reasons. The complaint On June 30, 2023, SUCCESS Affordable Housing Society (SUCCESS) and the City of Vancouver (City) jointly filed a complaint with the BCUC against…

The drought caused BC Hydro to import $1.4 billion-worth of electricity last year. Profits from Powerex, its energy trading subsidiary, will subsidize the additional cost for now, but we should consider improving our electricity self-sufficiency. Quite the turnaround According to a recent report filed with the BCUC, BC Hydro spent $1,377.5 million on electricity imports…

BC Hydro’s operating expenses are rising considerably faster than inflation. This will work its way through to increased electricity rates. The latest results BC Hydro’s latest annual report (for 2023/24, or F2024) shows that the company’s operating expenses are 5 percent higher than the prior year. However, these are the consolidated figures for BC Hydro,…