Category: General commentary

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,…

After detailed scrutiny by the BCUC, FortisBC’s Fruitvale substation project will go ahead, despite local opposition. But are the BCUC and the government applying the same standards to BC Hydro’s projects? Background On September 4, 2024, the BCUC granted a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to FortisBC Inc. (FBC) to construct a new…

BC Hydro’s unaudited revenues for the 2023/24 fiscal year are reported to be $7,131 million, a reduction of $896 million compared to the previous fiscal year, according to the BC public accounts released August 22, 2024. (Editor’s note: BC Hydro has now published its fiscal 2023/24 annual report. Its revenues have in fact dropped $1.347…

On August 2, 2024, the BC Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation wrote to the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) giving it advance approval to exempt a wide category of BC Hydro capital projects from independent review, even though the BCUC hasn’t asked for that approval. What could be wrong with that? Well, plenty.…