On July 10, Premier Christy Clark announced the B.C. Liberal government, in partnership with BC Hydro and FortisBC, is expanding its energy-efficiency programs to help British Columbians – especially folks with qualifying low family incomes – reduce their hydro and gas bills.
At first, this sounds like pretty good news for low-income families.
This “good news” announcement came four months after Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett told British Columbians the B.C. Liberals were going to increase hydro rates by 28 per cent over the next five years, and there may be further increases after that.
Here is how the province is going to help qualifying low-income families – starting at $30,800 for a one-person household and increasing incrementally to $81,000 for a household with seven or more members.
There are two free programs.
One offers a free kit, including compact fluorescent light bulbs, weatherstripping, fridge and freezer thermometers and a high-efficiency shower head.
The other offers a free home energy evaluation to see if the household qualifies for an energy-efficient refrigerator and extra insulation.
There is also the new Home Energy Rebate Offer, which is not income tested, that offers up to $6,000 in rebates for energy-efficiency upgrades for water reduction, heating and hot water systems and insulation.
This is great for folks who can afford to make the purchases of the heat pumps and water heaters, but out of reach for those who are barely making ends meet.
The problem for low-income families is they are paying the same hydro rate as the families with household incomes of $100,000 and up, and they’re being forced into making decisions on whether to keep the heat on or feed and clothe their families.
During the spring sitting of the legislature, the BC NDP proposed a Hydro Affordability Act, which would give the B.C. Utilities Commission authority to tell BC Hydro to give a discounted “lifeline rate” to provide affordable energy for eligible low-income British Columbians.
However, the B.C. Liberals rejected it.
The government also cancelled LiveSmart B.C. and provincial sales tax for Energy Start appliances, which helped British Columbians deal with rising energy costs.
So, a closer look at this “good news” program shows the B.C. Liberals are not really helping the people who are most vulnerable – the people who are being forced into difficult family decisions because of the rising hydro rates, which allow the province to siphon more money into the general government coffers.
