BC Hydro celebrates 50 years, looks ahead to future
By Matthew Bains, Northeast News, June 8 2011
DAWSON CREEK – The past, present and future of British Columbia’s publicly-owned utility company were presented as BC Hydro kicked off its 50th anniversary celebrations with an open house in Dawson Creek on May 28.
BC Hydro Rates: End of an Era
Christopher Pollon, BC Business, June 6, 2011
Hydro rates are going up in B.C. – the only question is by how much.
BC Hydro chooses power line builder
Staff Writer, Terrace Standard, May 09, 2011
BC HYDRO has chosen a preferred contractor group to design and build its $404 million Northwest Transmission Line.
But the crown corporation and the group of Valard/Quanta Services and Burns & McDonnell have yet to sign a formal contract.
First nations unite against northwest power line
By Gordon Hamilton, Vancouver Sun, May 9, 2011
Two bands dismiss Hydro offer as 'beads' for land
Two B.C. first nations say they'll join forces to fight a major power line slated to run through their lands and are warning of blockades unless BC Hydro changes its negotiating stance.
BC Energy Minister strikes review of hydro rate increases
By Jesse Ferreras, Pique Newsmagazine, April 11, 2011
Minister Rich Coleman aims to ‘reduce impact’ of rates on B.C. families
B.C.'s Energy Minister has appointed a three-person panel to review of hydro rate increases.
The move comes just under a week after minister Rich Coleman said he'd have the terms of reference ready.
BC Hydro selects Itron as supplier of smart metering system and meter data management system
Press release, BC Hydro, April 11, 2011
VANCOUVER – British Columbia's electricity system is one more major step closer to modernization Monday with the confirmation of Itron Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI) as BC Hydro's metering system provider to supply approximately two million new electric meters over the next two years as part of its Smart Metering Program.
Hydro rates need sweeping review
Editorial, Times Colonist, April 05, 2011
Energy Minister Rich Coleman's review of planned B.C. Hydro rate increases is a useful first step. The prospect of soaring electricity costs is grim for consumers and the economy, erasing what has been seen as a B.C. competitive advantage.
IPP’s to cost BC Hydro almost $1 billion annually by 2014
By Jesse Ferreras, Whistler Pique, March 22, 2011
Increase to help BC Hydro pay for rising energy costs
BC Hydro's investment in green energy is expected to cost it almost $1 billion by 2014.
John Hart project has billion dollar price tag
By Kristen Douglas, Campbell River Mirror, March 10, 2011
BC Hydro will be investing more than one billion dollars in Campbell River.
The latest estimate has the company spending $1.35 billion on the John Hart Generating Station replacement project.
Conservation Pricing: Can it be Environmentally Effective and Economically Fair?
Stephanie Taylor & George Hoberg, Green Policy Prof, March 1, 2011
Electricity pricing in BC is a concept that is little understood, yet frequently the subject of grumbling by ratepayers, especially when rates are going up. Recent proposals by BC Hydro to raise rates by 50% over the next five years have been criticized by media and energy experts. In our last post on electricity pricing, we outlined current and alternative rate-setting mechanisms. We also introduced readers to the concept of conservation pricing. This post delves further into conservation pricing, exploring both its benefits and its drawbacks.
Hydro needs to get back to its roots
Editorial, The Province, February 25, 2011
B.C. Hydro's application to the B.C. Utilities Commission to hike electricity bills by more than 50 per cent over the next five years is more evidence that something is terribly wrong with the way the company and the B.C. Liberals are managing power generation in this province.
BC Hydro gets environmental permit for transmission line
Derrick Penner, Vancouver Sun, February 23, 2011
The provincial government has granted BC Hydro an environmental permit for its $400-million Northwest Transmission Line project, Environment Minister Murray Coell said Wednesday.
An Interesting Spin
Marvin Shaffer, CCPA Policy Notes, February 23, 2011
How Electricity Pricing Works in British Columbia
Stephanie Taylor & George Hoberg, Green Policy Prof, February 17, 2011
In the midst of a spending blitz, BC Hydro has applied to the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) to increase residential electricity rates by an estimated 10% per year over the next three years. BC Hydro, which announced the rate changes on December 2, 2010 expects the increase to take effect in April 2011, assuming BCUC approval. The news release explains that the Crown Corporation is investing $6 billion over three years to provide essential upgrades to aging transmission and generation facilities, add significant new transmission capacity, increase capacity at the Mica and Revelstoke dams, and install smart meters in every household.
Report reveals gaps in BC’s electricity export policy framework
News Release, Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, February 10, 2010
If British Columbia ramps up production to become a major electricity exporter there is no guarantee the province will gain new market access, warns new research out today from the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS).
Major BC Hydro Transmission Project Dealt Another Blow
News Release, Nlaka'pamux Nation Tribal Council & Okanagan Nation Alliance, February 4, 2011
British Columbia Utilities Commission Rules that First Nations Not Consulted
BCUC find consultation was not adequate with certain First Nations with respect to the Interior to Lower Mainland Transmission Project
BC Utilities Commission
in the matter of
British Columbia Transmission Corporation
Reconsideration of the Interior to Lower Mainland Transmission Project
Decision
February 3, 2011
St'at'imc First Nations could develop energy projects
By Jesse Ferrera, Pique, Whistler, January 19, 2011
Bands to get approximately $210 million, each gets $1 million signing bonus
BC Hydro and province are overblowing the merits of compact fluorescent lights
By Scott Simpson, Vancouver Sun, 14 Jan 2011
They might not admit it now that the British Columbia government has turned it into provincial policy, but BC Hydro staff told me on numerous occasions that compact fluorescent light bulbs are not appropriate for all household applications.
In many instances, incandescents are more practical, and more economic.
Seasons greetings from B.C. Hydro
By Vaughn Palmer, Vancouver Sun, 24 Dec 2010
The giant publicly owned utility waited until Dec. 23 to file the business plan on its $1 billion smart metering program.
Smart meters: Your existing meter will be replaced with a digital version including a permanent two-way connection between your home and Hydro.
Supposedly this will help conservation.
BC Hydro finalizing $210 million settlement with First Nations
Jesse Ferreras, Pique NewsMagazine, December 17, 2010
St'at'imc communities to vote on proposal in March
BC Hydro is finalizing a $210 million settlement with First Nations who saw power lines traverse their territory for decades without compensation.
B.C. consumers need to pay more for power, study says
REBECCA CHEUNG, Globe and Mail, Dec. 9, 2010
Consumers need to pay more for energy – in higher electricity costs and higher carbon taxes – to spur conservation, according to a study by Simon Fraser University.
AXOR axes 2006 energy purchase agreement with BC Hydro
Greg Nesteroff, Arrow Lakes News, November 16, 2010
The proponent behind the Glacier Howser independent power project says it has cancelled an energy purchase agreement with BC Hydro. But while Axor Corp. intends to sign a new deal, critics claim it’s another nail in the project’s coffin.
BC Hydro’s challenge: How to tame and shame consumers
JUSTINE HUNTER, Globe and Mail, Oct. 22, 2010
VICTORIA — What would it take to get you to remember to turn off the lights when you leave the room? To pause a moment and unplug the cellphone charger? To choose the more expensive “green” light bulb? BC Hydro has put the price of imprinting that message over the next three years at $418-million.
BC Hydro net income jumps $17 million
Scott Simpson, Vancouver Sun, September 15, 2010
First quarter financial results in line with expectations, says Crown corporation's CEO
