Contrary to what some have recently tried to claim, BC Hydro's proposed 32 per cent rate increase over the next three years is not the result of electricity purchases from independent green energy producers.
According to information contained in BC Hydro's rate application to the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC), only 2.6 per cent of the total 32 per cent proposed increase is attributable to green-energy purchases.
Of the estimated $5 to $6 an average BC Hydro residential customer will see on their bill from the interim rate increase recently approved by the BCUC, no more than 40 to 48 cents is attributable to green energy purchases.
The overwhelming majority of the proposed 32 per cent increase (i.e., 92 per cent of the total increase) is due solely to the cost of renewing the province's publicly owned energy infrastructure just as BC Hydro has stated on numerous occasions.
I sincerely hope this information helps to dispel the notion that BC Hydro rates are going up because of electricity purchases from independent producers.
Clearly, they are not and the public should, therefore, be wary of anyone or any group claiming otherwise.
David Field, co-spokesperson
BC Citizens for Green Energy
