Category: General commentary

Despite a tight vote in the legislature, the steady erosion of BCUC independence continues. Some of the government’s statements in the debate need correcting. Introduction The BC Legislature recently debated Bill 31, also known as the Energy Statutes Amendment Act, 2025. Bill 31 enables BC Hydro to share ownership of its proposed North Coast Transmission…

The upgrade will improve energy security for Fortis’s customers, and the BCUC has confirmed the need for a natural gas system for decades to come. Introduction FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) is BC’s largest natural gas distribution utility, serving 1.1 million customers in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the Interior. On October 27, 2025, the…

Why doesn’t the plan support the province’s climate goals? And where is the energy coming from for customers of the proposed North Coast Transmission Line? Introduction BC Hydro, the province’s largest electric utility, has filed its 2025 Integrated Resource Plan. Plans such as this are intended to ensure utilities anticipate the investments they must make…

It appears the government is considering subsidies for customers to use the line, which may not be fully used. The project should be funded by taxpayers rather than BC Hydro’s ratepayers. Introduction The provincial government announced last week that it wants to build a new transmission line to BC’s north coast to support new mining…

The government is avoiding scrutiny and giving BC Hydro too much discretion, while at the same time rationing power to BC’s emerging economy. Introduction On Monday the BC government introduced new legislation, Bill 31, to “help us move faster on the North Coast Transmission Line”, a new $6 billion project to deliver power to Terrace…

BC Hydro is less than totally transparent in a number of important areas. The BCUC could do more to ensure ratepayers’ interests are being protected. Introduction I recently used BC Hydro’s 2024/25 (F2025) annual report to show that its rates are probably set too low, and that this is storing up problems for the future.…

The rate increase was necessary to pay for service reliability improvements. But does Nelson Hydro really need to file a rates application every year? Introduction Municipal energy utilities are not usually regulated by the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC), but Nelson Hydro is unique because it serves customers outside its city boundaries (the “rural” customers). The…

BC Hydro needs everything to go right for the next two years. Analysis of its latest annual reports suggests the early signs are not encouraging. Introduction Once upon a time (October 2023), BC Hydro thought it could keep bill increases to 2.3 percent a year. Customers would consume their electricity happily ever after (well, until…

The BCUC could disallow some of the forecast $16 billion cost if the project wasn’t managed prudently. It should review the project in an open and transparent inquiry. Introduction BC Hydro announced recently that the sixth and final generating unit of its Site C dam started operation in August. The press announcement focused on the…

In the two years since the government fired the BCUC chair, the agency has lost most of its powers to regulate BC Hydro, the provincially owned utility. The BC Premier’s autocratic style has reduced transparency and independence and increased financial risk. Introduction We are getting used to hearing about a well-known political leader trampling over…