I read and hear the many complaints about the high cost of electricity. People need look no further than the destruction of BC Hydro as it was set up by W.A.C. Bennett. It was an efficient utility supplying electricity to most of B.C. at a reasonable price.
Then along came Gordon Campbell, Rick Coleman, Christy Clark and all who decided BC Hydro should be dismembered. Customer services went to an outside group; transmission lines to another; new power to be produced by non-BC Hydro people.
BC Hydro was thus left as a shadow of its former robust self.
Next, run-of-river power was introduced as a new source of electricity. Private bidders were given permission to build “necessary” dams, roads, transmission lines, etc. Many of its 45 completed projects (and 23 other a-building) are on fish rivers, so could have damaging affect. There were also many more applications forthcoming.
BC Hydro was not allowed to bid; instead was forced to assume a $50 billion contractual obligation to buy the run-of-river power which comes when BC Hydro has plenty (spring runoff time). Unfortunately, Powerx (CEO paid nearly $1 million) can only get a much lower price than the price BC Hydro is forced to pay, so you and I pay high electric rates to allow for this “business deal.”
B.C. residents used to enjoy the lowest electrical costs — our climate and geography allowed this, but our present distressing and unnecessary situation came about directly due to Gordon Campbell and his Liberal government’s dangerous and inept handling of our public utility.
Electricity is essential to modern living. B.C. has been robbed of its ability to have low electrical rates that used to give a competitive edge to business and be a boom to homeowners.
Sheila White
Summerland
