Re: “Tiered water rates hit large families hardest,”
(Letter-writer) Peter Geering is 100% on the mark in his argument that the new seasonal rates proposed by city council are unfair to large households.
In fact, I would argue that BC Hydro’s tiered system of charging for power is also unfair and does not actually help conserve natural resources.
These tiered rates (both water and power) are based on the assumption that a small number of people live in a home.
These tiered rates are then “marketed” as a way to reduce consumption.
However, I would argue that in our large household we actually use considerably less electrical power and water per person than most homes where only two or three people are living.
Why should we subsidize the high consumption rates of those who choose to live in small households?
Why isn’t the use and conservation of water and power based on the same principles as those of applied to oil and gas usage?
If I choose to drive a large SUV that gets poor gas mileage, I pay for it.
If I want to pay less for gas, then I buy a much more economical vehicle.
No mater what decision is made, we all pay the same price for a litre of gas.
So if I choose to live in a large household, using less water and power per person than the two people living in a similar sized house next door, why should I have to pay more per kilowatt of electrical power or more for a cubic metre of water than they do?
This is neither equitable, nor does it promote conservation of precious natural resources.
Both city council and BC Hydro should figure out what these resources cost, and then charge everyone equally.
Bryan Born
