Category: General commentary

The new project will bring jobs, tax revenues and environmental benefits. But gas customers are unwittingly and unfairly at risk for billions of dollars. Introduction On July 24, the provincial government announced a new $2.2 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) marine refuelling facility at Tilbury in Delta, BC. FortisBC Energy Inc. (FortisBC) will construct the…

The dog days of summer are a good time to think ahead to the fall. From financial results to legislative changes, it will be a busy time for BC’s electricity sector. Introduction It’s too hot right now to get worked up about the rather thin news on BC’s energy front these days. But it is…

The funding reduces the risk faced by BC Hydro’s ratepayers, and the project now looks increasingly likely to go ahead. Introduction Last week, the BC and Federal governments announced a “landmark agreement” covering a broad range of topics, many of them related to energy. Much of the attention has been focused on the proposed oil…

BC Hydro belatedly acknowledges the value of natural gas to keep its system operating reliably. The BCUC should ensure the utility comes clean about how it can scale up this approach to meet future growth as well. Introduction On March 2, a BC Hydro filing to the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) revealed an increased forecast…

BC stands to gain from local artificial intelligence data centres, but this deal raises questions about BC Hydro’s competitive process to allocate rationed electricity. Introduction Earlier this month TELUS, a Vancouver-based telecommunications company, and the federal government jointly announced that they would work together on “sovereign AI [artificial intelligence] infrastructure” in BC. This relates to…

Cuts to spending on pipeline safety have thankfully been reversed. But the Utilities Commission’s squeeze on PNG’s operating costs highlights the regulator’s special treatment for BC Hydro. Introduction Pacific Northern Gas (PNG), which serves central and northern BC, is the province’s second largest gas utility, after Fortis Energy Inc. (FEI). Both utilities are regulated by…

Lil’wat Nation demands BC Hydro pay more for its privately generated electricity because of Aboriginal ownership, citing DRIPA. BC’s Attorney General argues they should not. Introduction In December, the BC Court of Appeal’s Gitxaala decision found that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (aka UNDRIP) sets the “minimum standards” though which…

It’s one of the better options for the reliable power the province needs. The sooner we get started the better. Introduction In the two years since Just and Reasonable was launched, readers have kindly provided me with many insights into BC’s energy business, and more than a few juicy rumours. One recurrent theme has been…

New modelling shows BC Hydro needs to double the amount of electricity it currently generates by 2050, but it’s not clear how this could be done safely. The BCUC should insist the utility be more transparent about its plans. Introduction BC Hydro’s electricity shortages have become more serious of late. The utility is now expecting…

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…