As B.C. Hydro Reworks Estimates, Utility Seeks 4 Per Cent Interim Rate Hike

The Canadian Press, 26 Feb, 2016 12:40 PM

VANCOUVER — BC Hydro is calling for an interim, one-year rate increase of four per cent, adding about $4 a month to residential power bills.

Hydro President and CEO Jessica McDonald made the announcement while offering an update on how the Crown utility delivers its 10-year rates plan.

McDonald says the four per cent increase is included in the 10-year plan.

Hydro has applied to the B.C. Utilities Commission for the hike as it crunches numbers after the provincial government deferred hydro increases for B.C.'s mining sector.

McDonald says Hydro originally planned to submit a three-year application for rate increases of three to five per cent, but that request will be delayed for several months.

Hydro says it has to invest an average of $2.4 billion a year in the province's aging electricity system, upgrading facilities built in the 1960s, 70s and 80s.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. Supreme Court Hands Another Setback To Northern Gateway Pipeline

An alliance of First Nations is celebrating a British Columbia Supreme Court ruling that it says could set back the Northern Gateway pipeline by years and throw a wrench into another high-profile project review.

B.C. Supreme Court Hands Another Setback To Northern Gateway Pipeline

Westjet Vows To Compete With New Rival Newleaf On Fares, Not Added Fees

MONTREAL — WestJet Airlines says it will use low fares to compete with new discount rival NewLeaf but its "ancillary revenue" will come only from extra fees that it thinks will "add value" for its guests.

Westjet Vows To Compete With New Rival Newleaf On Fares, Not Added Fees

Alberta Freezes Salaries Of Managers, Non-Union Public Service Workers

Finance Minister Joe Ceci said Wednesday the move affects 7,000 civil servants and will save $57 million in total.

Alberta Freezes Salaries Of Managers, Non-Union Public Service Workers

Justin Trudeau Advised By Officials That Hamas-israel Truce Would Be In Their Interests

Federal officials have told Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that a truce between Israel and the militant group Hamas would be in both of their interests.

Justin Trudeau Advised By Officials That Hamas-israel Truce Would Be In Their Interests

Convicted Via Rail Plotter Chiheb Esseghaier To Appeal Terror Conviction At Ontario's Top Court

Chiheb Esseghaier, a deeply religious Muslim, argues he ought to have been judged by the rules of the Qur'an.

Convicted Via Rail Plotter Chiheb Esseghaier To Appeal Terror Conviction At Ontario's Top Court

Thousands Flagged For Scrutiny By Canada's New Air Passenger Screening System

The Canada Border Services Agency says the travellers — flagged for possible links to terrorism or serious crime — represented a tiny fraction of the millions who flew into the country.