The first of a series of BC Hydro rate increases takes effect in April 2014, adding $8 a month to the average residential power bill.
Rate increases of nine per cent next year and six per cent in 2015 are the highest of a series of increases over five years announced Tuesday by Energy Minister Bill Bennett.
The B.C. Utilities Commission will be directed to set rate increases that total up to 28 per cent over the next five years, then determine what rates are needed for the following five years, Bennett said.
Commercial rates are going up the same amount.
