Close X
Monday, November 18, 2024
ADVT 
National

BC Hydro asks for 2.3% rate increase to start spring 2024

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 30 Oct, 2023 03:32 PM
  • BC Hydro asks for 2.3% rate increase to start spring 2024

The British Columbia government says the province's Crown power utility is applying for a 2.3-per-cent rate increase starting in April, adding about $2 a month to the average residential bill. 

A statement from the Energy Ministry says it's the sixth year in a row that BC Hydro has applied for an increase below the rate of inflation.

It says rates are currently 15.6 per cent lower than the cumulative rate of inflation over the last seven years, starting in 2017-2018, and 12.4 per cent lower than the 10-year rates plan established by the previous government in 2013.

The ministry says the "modest" rate increase application comes after consideration of a variety of options and their long-term impacts, and the B.C. Utilities Commission is expected to decide on the plan by the end of February.

Chris O'Riley, president of BC Hydro, says the rates application would keep electricity costs in the province among the lowest in North America while supporting investments in clean energy to power vehicles, homes and businesses.

Energy Minister Josie Osborne says it's more important than ever to keep electricity bills down as the cost of living rises at rates that are unsustainable for many.

"Affordable, stable BC Hydro rates are good for people, businesses and climate as we work together to power our growing economy with renewable energy instead of fossil fuels," Osborne says in a statement issued Monday.

Earlier this year, the ministry said BC Hydro provided $315 million in cost-of-living bill credits to families and small businesses in the province, including those who receive their electricity service from FortisBC or a municipal utility.

MORE National ARTICLES

Remains of missing man, Suleiman Khawar, recovered

Remains of missing man, Suleiman Khawar, recovered
Suleiman’s body was discovered by a boater near Granville Island just after 8:30 a.m. on Monday. The BC Coroners Service is now investigating. The Vancouver Police extends condolences to Suleiman’s loved ones, and thanks all of the community members who came together to search for Suleiman after he went missing on May 25.

Remains of missing man, Suleiman Khawar, recovered

Feds warn 2023 on track to be the worst fire season ever seen in Canada

Feds warn 2023 on track to be the worst fire season ever seen in Canada
Bill Blair and six other federal cabinet ministers provided an update Monday on Canada's wildfire situation, even as smoke from fires north and west of the city covered Parliament Hill's Peace Tower in a grey haze. As of late Monday afternoon, 424 fires were burning across Canada, more than 250 of which are considered out of control.  

Feds warn 2023 on track to be the worst fire season ever seen in Canada

Conservative filibuster threatens potential citizenship for children born abroad

Conservative filibuster threatens potential citizenship for children born abroad
As it stands, Canadian parents who were born abroad cannot pass their citizenship down to their child unless the child was born in Canada. The NDP and Liberals proposed a change that would allow those parents to pass down Canadian citizenship if they can prove they've spent at least three years in the country.

Conservative filibuster threatens potential citizenship for children born abroad

Global economic growth slow: World Bank

Global economic growth slow: World Bank
The latest outlook from the World Bank predicts the growth of the global economy will likely slow sharply this year. The anti-poverty agency estimates the international economy will expand just 2.1 per cent after growing 3.1 per cent last year.  

Global economic growth slow: World Bank

Job action at Capilano U in B.C., as contracts inked with staff at five other schools

Job action at Capilano U in B.C., as contracts inked with staff at five other schools
A statement on the university's website says classes are suspended at its main campus and its Sechelt campus on the Sunshine Coast.  The job action comes as the Ministry of Finance announces agreements affecting about 2,100 public sector CUPE support staff at five post-secondary institutions in B.C.

Job action at Capilano U in B.C., as contracts inked with staff at five other schools

Dead body found in Kelowna

Dead body found in Kelowna
Mounties say a man has been found dead in Kelowna. They say officers responded to a report of the body in the area of McCulloch Road at Myra Forest Service Road around 8 a-m Sunday.

Dead body found in Kelowna