In the 1970s, BC Hydro actively promoted the use of electricity as an economical and clean source of energy. During that time, we paid the higher rate for Step 1 of the residential bill and a lower rate for Step 2.
The justification for this formula was described by BC Hydro as the same as basically everything that we purchase in that the more you purchase the better deal you will get. This was great for rural customers because most of the time the only options were wood or oil heat, making electricity the cleanest option.
Sometime after the B.C. Liberals were elected, they in their wisdom decided to create an incentive to conserve electricity by reversing the formula. At that time, BC Hydro pointed out to customers that most people (those heating with gas) would actually be paying less than before. Therefore, most customers were given a disincentive to conserve energy.
My own personal winter time bills increased by 30 per cent, not counting rate hikes. This 30 per cent increase compounds with all rate hikes afterwards. Due to the fact that BC Hydro actively promoted the use of electricity to its customers you could call this deal a bait and switch. I am fortunate that natural gas has since become available in my neighbourhood so I am now emitting CO2, but at least I am saving money. I am writing this because most rural customers experiencing high electricity bills are not aware of the reason.
Bill Koocher,
Prince George
