VICTORIA — The province’s independent energy regulator will get more power to scrutinize B.C. Hydro’s long-term energy plans, but remains forbidden from rebalancing rates and increasing bills for customers.
But Mungall’s legislation would stop short of giving the commission free rein to rebalance the rates among residential, commercial and industrial customers to reflect the real cost of supplying energy. That could lead to another 2.2 per cent hike for residential ratepayers which the government considers unacceptably high.
The law, if passed, would forbid the utilities commission from rebalancing rates in any public utility, not just B.C. Hydro, unless the utility specifically asked for the help.