NDP HAILS DECISION AGAINST PRIVATE POWER AT BC HYDRO
Jul 28, 2009
THE NDP'S ENERGY CRITIC CALLS IT A VICTORY FOR BRITISH COLUMBIANS WHO DON'T WANT TO PAY MORE FOR ELECTRICITY.
JOHN HORGAN IS COMMENTING ON A RECENT RULING BY THE BC UTILITIES COMMISSION AGAINST ALLOWING BC HYDRO TO PURCHASE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF ELECTRICITY FROM PRIVATE PRODUCERS.
“IN THAT PLAN, BC HYDRO HAD REQUESTED REGULATORY APPROVAL TO PURCHASE THREE-THOUSAND GIGA-WATT HOURS, AND THEN MORE INTO THE FUTURE, FROM PRIVATE POWER PRODUCERS AT A PRICE THAT IS WELL ABOVE THE MARKET RATE AND WELL ABOVE, WHAT THE COMMISSION RULED, WAS IN THE INTEREST OF RATE PAYERS. SO IT’S A POSITIVE DECISION.”
HORGAN SAYS THE RULING FOUND THAT HYDRO HAD UNDERREPRESENTED ITS ABILITY TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY.
HE GOES ON TO SAY THE DECISION IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE BC LIBERALS TO ENGAGE IN DISCUSSION ON HOW TO MEET THE PROVINCE'S LONG TERM ENERGY NEEDS.
- ADAM STIRLING
