Friday, August 23, 2019 ~ VICTORIA
~ West Shore Voice News
BC Hydro has applied to the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) for a rate decrease that would come into effect starting April 2020.
“For the past two years, our government has been focused on making sure BC Hydro works for people again,” said Michelle Mungall, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, in a news release today August 23.
“I am thrilled that BC Hydro is now able to apply for a rate reduction for the first time in decades. If approved by our independent regulator, lower rates would make life better and more affordable for British Columbians,” said Mungall.
BC Hydro’s application to the BCUC is based on its audited fiscal 2019 financial results and latest financial forecast that reflect, among other things, higher-than-anticipated income from its trading subsidiary Powerex, lower-than-anticipated forecast debt financing costs and lower-than-anticipated purchases from independent power producers (IPPs).
“As a result of our updated financial forecast, we’re in the unique position to apply for a rate decrease for our customers that would start on April 1, 2020, if approved by the B.C. Utilities Commission,” said Chris O’Riley, president and chief operating officer, BC Hydro.
“We’re committed to continue to work with government and the B.C. Utilities Commission to keep rates affordable while ensuring we continue to provide safe, reliable power to the province,” said O’Riley.
According to the BC Government, the proposed lower rates build on the results of Phase 1 of government’s comprehensive review of BC Hydro, which was completed in February 2019. Measures flowing from the review include actions to keep electricity rates affordable for customers by cutting costs – including by indefinitely suspending the Standing Offer Program for IPPs – and expanding independent oversight of BC Hydro by the BCUC.
The BCUC is expected make a final decision on BC Hydro’s 2019-20 and 2020-21 rates early in 2020.
Premier John Horgan and the NDP ran on a campaign in 2017 that included saying they would attempt to make life more affordable for British Columbians.
============== Learn More:
For a graph of BC Hydro’s rates forecast, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/BCH_Rates_Forecast.jpg
For information on BC Hydro’s Fiscal 2020 to Fiscal 2021 Revenue Requirements Application, visit: https://www.bcuc.com/
To read the final report on
Phase 1 of the BC Hydro review, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/electricity-alternative-energy/electricity/bc-hydro-review-phase-1
To learn about Phase 2 of
the BC Hydro review, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/electricity-alternative-energy/electricity/bc-hydro-review-phase-2