I was shocked to see that the Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce wrote a letter supporting Nelson Hydro’s increases totalling 28 per cent to rural residents, an increase arrived at by the twisted and unfair attribution of the cost of purchased power to rural residents while reserving all dam-generated power to city residents.
That the business people of Nelson would throw their rural client base under the bus is unconscionable but their letter makes clear why they are doing this: “The approval of the application by the BC Utilities Commission paves the way for City Council to consider a rate rebalance within municipal boundaries that would likely be favourable to commercial businesses.”
To make it clear: The businesses of Nelson want rural residents to pay more so they pay less.
To all the businesses in Nelson that I have supported over many years let me say I’ll think of you when I don’t have that $800 per year (what the increase will be for me) to spend in your establishments after I’ve been fleeced by Nelson Hydro with you cheering them on. I’m sure I won’t be alone – there are literally thousands of your customers who will be in worse difficulties. I don’t doubt that you are entitled to a “rebalancing,” that business has paid an unfair share of the Nelson Hydro profit party over many years, that many of you are struggling and looking for any relief. I’m just gutted that you would attempt to get it out of my pocket.
Kevin LePape
Blewett
