This site will look much better in a browser that supports web standards, but it is accessible to any browser or Internet device.
Time to comment on Site C impacts
February 14, 2013 | Sara Miles
Yet another energy project is in play. BC Hydro’s Environmental Impacts Statement for the ‘Site C Clean Energy Project’ is on the table. Public comment is open until April 4. The project involves construction of a dam and a 1,100-megawatt hydroelectric generating station on the Peace River in northeastern BC. It would be the third in a series of dams on the BC portion of the Peace River.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Gulf Islands will soon join modern grid
October 4, 2012 | Sara Miles
With smart meter install dates looming, questions over wireless technology are just one controversy surrounding the plan to bring BC’s electrical grid into the 21st century.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
BCHydro planning for LNG and Site C
June 28, 2012 | Tom Hackney
BCHydro’s draft Integrated Resource Plan incorporates plans for up to three new LNG plants, creating a need for much more electricity, which is to come from the Site C dam, new clean energy producers, and conservation measures.
On the other hand, the Premier's recent declaration that natural gas-generated electricity used for liquefaction of export gas is redefined as 'clean' may mean that Site C won't be needed after all.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
BC government dictates electricity rates
May 31, 2012 | Tom Hackney
Tom Hackney explains how the BC government has undermined the authority of the BC Utilities Commission by arbitrarily cutting electricity rate increases in half—is this viable or is it an election ploy?
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Time of use billing on the way?
October 6, 2011 | Patrick Brown
Smart meters would make it possible, but BC Hydro says it will not make time of use pricing mandatory. Ontario's time of use rates offer a glimpse of where we might be heading, however.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Another billion buck boondoggle
August 25, 2011 | Editorial
Why British Columbians have the feeling that the Smart Meter Initiative would not stand close scrutiny.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Once over lightly for BChydro
August 25, 2011 | Patrick Brown
Commentary on the 'lightweight' Review of BChydro.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Smart meters should come last, say BC Greens
August 11, 2011 | Christa Grace-Warrick
BC Green Leader Jane Sterk says there are other measures that BC Hydro should implement before considering a new metering system, and that any new meters should be wired to mitigate safety and privacy concerns.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Smart meters: a solution looking for a problem
Augsut 11, 2011 | Patrick Brown
Patrick Brown examines the numbers and questions the economic justification for BC Hydro's smart meter program.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Smart meters rolling out soon
June 30, 2011
Details about BC Hydro's plan to start installing smart meters in the province this summer.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Bute run-of-river project on hold
April 7, 2011
Following Plutonic's merges with a geo-thermal company, the new company Alterra announced that there was no firm contract with BCHydro to purchase power, so the Bute Inlet project is on hold.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
BCHydro rate increase up in the air
April 7, 2011
Citing the need for upgrading of generation and distribution facilities, BCHydro has proposed big annual rate increases. However, now that Gordon Campbell has gone, Minister Rich Coleman is taking a second look.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
BCHydro justifies smart meters—mainly grow-ops
March 24, 2011
A key part of the business case for installing wireless smart meters province-wide is to defeat marijuana grow-ops. BCUC is legislated not to look at the figures.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
What the Annual Report tells us, Part 3: How BC power purchases subsidize big industry
October 14, 2010
BC Hydro is suffering a triple whammy: paying higher than market prices on its long-term contracts, paying green power prices for traditional power, and losing money on its power trading operations.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
BC Hydro losses, from today to tomorrow
September 16, 2010
An in depth look at BCHydro's accounting practises.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
When is a loss a profit? Auditor General questions BC Hydro accounting
September 2, 2010
BC Hydro's creative accounting has turned an operating loss of $249 million into a profit of $447 million. This $696 million would have shown up as an addition to the provincial deficit. Special Cabinet Directives authorize the 'rate-regulated' method but the Auditor General has reservations about the practice.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
The conundrum of Site-C
March 4, 2010
The Site-C dam is back in the picture - and the public pocket. It is needed to support power produced privately for BC Hydro. Who gains? Read the ins and outs of this convoluted situation.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
BC Hydro and IPPs
February 18, 2010
Two articles and an editorial examine the conflicts between BC Hydro and private power companies.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Goodbye to dividends from BC Hydro
December 17, 2009
No dividend to the Province this year from BC Hydro. This marks the change in the purpose of the utility from providing cheap electricity to BC residents and industries to financing privately-generated power and marketing it to the United States.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Follow the money: some ins and outs of IPP power
December 17, 2009
BC Hydro initiates discussion on several run-of-river power projects.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Premier takes direct control of energy policy
November 19, 2009
Not agreeing with watchdog BC Utilities Commission's decisions on power planning, Premier Campbell has announced task forces reporting to Cabinet to plan BC's future power. Why the takeover?
[ download PDF | top of page ]
BCUC cannot rely on Burrard Thermal
November 5, 2009
The BC government has told the 'independent' BC Utilities Commission that it cannot count gas-fired Burrard Generating Station power (used as a peak-period stopgap) in its calculations of future power needs. The effect will be to force BC Hydro to put out more calls for power from Independent Power Producers which will include contentious run-of-river power.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Exporting BC power to California is not that simple, yet
September 24, 2009
Under California's regulations BC's dam power and run-of-river are not green enough. Yet the state needs BC power; will it compromise its standards?
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Salt Spring Microhydro
June 18, 2009
Wintertime run-of-creek hydro could provide a portion of Salt Spring's local renewable energy plan.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Bute Inlet power project will have cumulative environmental impacts
January 15, 2009
A multi-site, ‘run-of-river’ power, super-project has been proposed by Plutonic Power Ltd for creeks and rivers emptying into the upper Bute Inlet. The scale of transmission lines illustrate both problems of economies of scale and environmental effects in massive power developments.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
One river: less endangered now?
April 3, 2008
Before BC Environment Minister Barry Penner effectively pulled the plug on a private company plan to build a series of hydro-power installations along creeks that feed into the Upper Pitt River and a transmission line through a provincial park, the BC Recreation Council had labelled the river (40 kilometres from Vancouver) BC’s most endangered river.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Our Wattage Sold For a Mess of Pottage
January 24, 2008 | Book Review by Patrick Brown
In Liquid Gold, John Calvert’s central theme is that British Columbian’s birthright, BC Hydro’s integrated system of large hydro-electric dams, power lines, and distribution strategies, dating from the WAC Bennett era and charging some of the cheapest electricity rates in North America, is being destroyed.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Halfway to an energy plan
November 29, 2007 | Patrick Brown
The BC government’s 2007 Energy Plan’s themes are: energy conservation, energy efficiency, and self-sufficiency. It is starting to have an impact on residential rates electricity; in a recent report BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) authorized the ‘rebalancing’ of electricity rates between types of power consumers.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Why You Should Change Your Power Consumption
April 5, 2007 | Commentary by Patti Bauer
Many of us believe that BC Hydro is one of the cleanest and greenest public utilities in the world.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Editorial: Blind to blind trust?
February 8, 2007
The issue of Premier Campbell knowing that he held Alcan shares at the time that he was dealing with Alcan over the company’s proposed sale of power to BC Hydro has received a good deal of media interest.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Electricity Across the Border
August 24, 2006
...in recent years, BC has profited a great deal from selling power to the US, particularly in times when US demand exceeds its domestic supply.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
VITR Decision Appealed
August 24, 2006
Citizens’ groups and power transmission competitor SeaBreeze have lodged three appeals of the BC Utilities Commission’s (BCUC) July 7 approval of the BC Transmission Corporation’s (BCTC) application to replace the existing direct current overhead power transmission line to Vancouver Island with a new alternating current transmission line.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
BCSEA has Mixed Reaction to New Hydro Projects
August 10, 2006
The BC Sustainable Energy Association (BCSEA) welcomes the prospect of BC’s first commercial wind projects, but vows ‘P-4’ (prolonged and persistent public protest) against the two coal-fired power projects announced as winners in the Call for Power to supply the BC Hydro grid.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
BCUC Rules VITR will be Overhead
July 27, 2006
It’s overhead wires—again—for the new electrical transmission line to Vancouver Island.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Powerline Battle Continues
March 23, 2006
The battle between the BC Transmission Corporation and SeaBreeze to transmit power to Vancouver Island continues at both the BC Utilities Commission hearings and in preliminary skirmishes...
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Sea Breeze Sideswiped at BCUC Hearing
March 9, 2006
Sea Breeze Victoria Converter Corporation has unexpectedly withdrawn its application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for its Vancouver Island Cable (VIC) project.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Power Waiting
March 9, 2006 | Wendy Hacking
There are the short ones and then there are the long ones. You never really know when one is going to happen. Of course, there can be signs. Wind, not surprisingly.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Limited Comment for Toba River Hydro Scheme
February 9, 2006 | Patrick Brown
Despite an environmental review period that could stretch as long as 180 days, public comment on two run-of-river hydroelectricity generation proposals near the head of Toba Inlet is to be limited to one month.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Salt Spring Town Hall Meeting Seeks Power Line Alternatives
January 19, 2006
A lively ‘town hall’ meeting on Salt Spring Island on Saturday, January 7, saw opponents of the construction of a new high voltage power line across the Island out in force.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Islanders Fear Power Plant Cancellation May Accelerate Transmission Line Replacement
July 14, 2005
Many Salt Spring and Galiano Island residents now fear that cancellation of Duke Point will increase pressure for a quick approval of new souped-up overhead transmission lines which would cross both islands.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Salvaging Meaning from the Duke Point Fiasco
June 30, 2005 | Patrick Brown
Was the real reason from Hydro<’>s sudden retreat that neither Hydro nor the provincial goverment wanted the Appeal Court judges enquiring whether <‘>commerical confidentiality<’> could be maintained when government functions were privitized?
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Hydro Abandons Duke Point Proposal
June 30, 2005
The Duke Point gas-fired generating plant proposal is no more.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Duke Point Approval will be Appealed
February 24, 2005 | Patrick Brown
An appeal of BCUC’s February 17 approval of BC Hydro’s Duke Point plans for fossil-fuel generated energy for Vancouver Island is underway.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Shenanigans at BCUC Hearings
February 10, 2005 | Patrick Brown
A motion by GSXCCC and other intervenors to disqualify members of the BC Utilities Commission Panel from hearing the application for approval of the Duke Point Power project was rejected...
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Duking It Out Over Vancouver Island’s Power Supply
January 27, 2005 | Patrick Brown
Hearings by the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) into the proposed Duke Point Power (DPP) gas-fired electricity generation plant got underway...
[ download PDF | top of page ]
January Hearings on Duke Point Electricity Generation
December 16, 2004 | Patrick Brown
The BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) will hold oral hearings and town hall sessions in Nanaimo...
[ download PDF | top of page ]
BCUC Will Consider Latest BC ‘Privatization’
December 2, 2004 | Patrick Brown
In order to revive the Duke Point gas-fired generation project, BC Hydro is entering into a cost plus contract with the Duke Point Power Limited Partnership (DPP)...
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Figuring Out the Hydro Bill
December 2, 2004
Subject to acceptance by the Commission, the proposed final rate increase will be 4.85%...
[ download PDF | top of page ]
September 23, 2004
GS-X-The Beat Goes On
Williams Pipelines, BC Hydro’s partner in the proposed construction of the Georgia Strait Crossing natural gas pipeline, continues to pursue permits for the pipeline on the US side of the border. And BC Hydro continues to entertain bids for natural gas turbine-generated power on Vancouver Island.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
GS-X Pipeline Possibility Fading
July 29, 2004 | Patrick Brown
Although BC Hydro is still receiving tenders (until August 13) for the provision of additional electricity to Vancouver Island and most plans of BC Hydro’s qualified bidders are predicated on using natural gas as fuel, it seems increasing unlikely that any gas will be delivered by the Georgia Strait Crossing (GS-X) pipeline...
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Hydro Rate Increase Would Be More, Sooner
April 22, 2004
BC Hydro has filed a revision to its original revenue requirements application with the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) that includes a request for a revised rate increase of 8.9% in 2005...
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Hydro’s Flawed Call for Tenders and Other Electric News
February 26, 2004 | Patrick Brown
The BC Utilities Commission rejected Hydro’s proposal for a gas turbine generation plant at Duke Point because BCUC thought that it was not the most economic way to obtain additional electricity for Vancouver Island...
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Vancouver Island Power—la plus ça change…
December 4, 2003 | Patrick Brown
On September 8, the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) rejected BC Hydro’s Vancouver Island Generation Plan (VIGP) for Duke Point at Nanaimo...
[ download PDF | top of page ]
The GSX Report—Half a Job
August 14, 2003 | Patrick Brown
A 229-page report on the gas pipeline proposed to cross the Georgia Strait was produced by the National Energy Board/Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Joint Review Panel...
[ download PDF | top of page ]
New Tenders to Compete with GSX/VIGP
December 18, 2003 | Patrick Brown
At the conclusion of the BC Utilities Commission hearings in Nanaimo on July 3, BC Hydro proposed to call for firm tenders for alternative ways to provide for Vancouver Island’s future electricity needs.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
NorskeCanada Introduces New Power Plan for Vancouver Island; Claims Hydro Tried to Suppress It
April 24, 2003
Pulp mill operator NorskeCanada, the largest consumer of electricity on Vancouver Island, has proposed a plan to generate power at its plants, and save power it presently uses.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
Green Power Proposals Swamp Hydro
April 10, 2003
BC Hydro has agreed to consider 30, out of an original 70, proposals from independent power producers for its 2002/03 Green Power Generation (GPG) procurement process.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
GSX Hearing Begins
January 30, 2003
After several months’ delay waiting for the completion of consultations with local First Nations, the National Energy Board/ Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency hearings on the proposed Georgia Strait Crossing (GSX) gas pipeline are to resume...
[ download PDF | top of page ]
GSX Questioned in Whatcom County
February 28, 2002
According to a report in the Bellingham Herald, the Bellingham environmental group RE Sources wants the proposed natural gas pipeline across Whatcom County (Washington State) to be put on hold...
[ download PDF | top of page ]
GSX Panel Revises List of Issues
February 14, 2002
The NEB/CEAA Joint Review Panel for the proposed Georgia Strait gas pipeline has clarified its original List of Issues to include many of the environmental issues raised during a series of public meetings in January.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
BC Hydro Zeros in on Nanaimo
February 14, 2002
BC Hydro and Calpine Canada Power Holdings Ltd, still looking for a friendly host-municipality for its proposed second gas-fired generating station, has now set its sights on the Duke Point area of Nanaimo.
[ download PDF | top of page ]
The GSX Files
January 31, 2002
BC Hydro’s dependence on Vancouver Island gas-fired electricity generation plans is confirmed in the Interim Report published by the province’s Energy Policy Task Force...
[ download PDF | top of page ]