Category: General commentary

BC Hydro now forecasts it does not have the capacity to meet peak demand by 2030, and that’s not including electricity required for the North Coast Transmission Line. Are we heading for winter evening blackouts? Introduction Almost two years ago, I wrote about BC Hydro’s looming electricity shortfall. Since then, the utility has been busy…

After a bureaucratic reshuffling, reports of CleanBC’s death might not be exaggerated. Introduction The Tyee recently reported that the BC government has “quietly eliminated its Climate Action Secretariat”, the group responsible for CleanBC, the province’s flagship environmental program. The campaign director from Stand.earth is quoted as saying this “puts the final nail in the coffin…

Rationing electricity for new data centres and artificial intelligence businesses is bad for our economy. The government should be bolder, and expand the opportunities for private sector generation. Introduction It’s well known that BC Hydro has a looming energy shortage. The utility will have a deficit by 2030, and can’t meet the government’s own 2030…

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…