Close X
Monday, November 18, 2024
ADVT 
National

Bennett Says B.C. Utilities Commission To Resume Setting BC Hydro Rates

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Feb, 2015 03:30 PM
  • Bennett Says B.C. Utilities Commission To Resume Setting BC Hydro Rates
VICTORIA — The B.C. government has vowed to make the provincial utilities commission more independent almost three years after it stepped in and refused to allow the body to raise hydro rates for customers.
 
Energy Minister Bill Bennett says the government is prepared to implement the recommendations of a task force that calls for a strengthened and independent B.C. Utilities Commission.
 
The task force report released last fall made 35 recommendations to improve the governance, processes and performance at the BCUC.
 
Bennett says the changes will ensure the utilities commission resumes its role of setting BC Hydro rates by the third year of the government's 10-year rates plan, announced in November 2013.
 
In a statement today, Bennett says the government will work to implement the task force recommendations so the utilities commission can resume setting BC Hydro rates, but he does not elaborate on whether the hydro rate cap remains.
 
In May 2012, then-energy minister Rich Coleman ordered that the proposed 30 per cent rate increase be chopped in half, saying families need a break and the utility could afford the cut.
 
Among the task force's recommendations are hiring full-time commissioners and developing a memorandum of understanding to ensure clear roles and responsibilities between the government and the utilities commission.

MORE National ARTICLES

Former Top BC Bureaucrat Won't Participate In Health Firings Review

Former Top BC Bureaucrat Won't Participate In Health Firings Review
VICTORIA — A former top Liberal government bureaucrat involved in the firings of eight health researchers two years ago says he won't take part in a review of the dismissals because it's not an independent probe.

Former Top BC Bureaucrat Won't Participate In Health Firings Review

Amrik Virk Says His Future As A Minister In Cabinet Is Christy Clark's Decision

Amrik Virk Says His Future As A Minister In Cabinet Is Christy Clark's Decision
VICTORIA — Finance Minister Mike de Jong says he supports Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk despite ordering a renewed investigation of new documents connected to the former Mountie.

Amrik Virk Says His Future As A Minister In Cabinet Is Christy Clark's Decision

Reitmans Shutting Down Smart Set Stores, Refocus On Its Other Brands

Reitmans Shutting Down Smart Set Stores, Refocus On Its Other Brands
MONTREAL — Shoppers will be losing another Canadian retail option after Reitmans announced Tuesday it is closing all of its Smart Set clothing stores.

Reitmans Shutting Down Smart Set Stores, Refocus On Its Other Brands

Quebec-based Simons To Open New Stores In BC, Alberta And Ontario Into 2017

Quebec-based Simons To Open New Stores In BC, Alberta And Ontario Into 2017
TORONTO — After 175 years, Quebec-based Simons is primed to make a major expansion push beyond the province with stores in five new cities across Canada.

Quebec-based Simons To Open New Stores In BC, Alberta And Ontario Into 2017

Ghomeshi reaches agreement with CBC, withdraws lawsuit against broadcaster

Ghomeshi reaches agreement with CBC, withdraws lawsuit against broadcaster
TORONTO — Scandal-plagued former radio host Jian Ghomeshi has reached an agreement with the CBC to withdraw his $55-million lawsuit against the public broadcaster, a CBC spokesman said on Tuesday.

Ghomeshi reaches agreement with CBC, withdraws lawsuit against broadcaster

Woman accused of arranging to have parents killed was not behind attack: Lawyer

Woman accused of arranging to have parents killed was not behind attack: Lawyer
NEWMARKET, Ont. — A woman accused of arranging to have her parents murdered in a staged home invasion had nothing to do with the real robbery that led to her mother's death at the hands of a "psychopathic killer" desperate for cash, her lawyer said Tuesday.

Woman accused of arranging to have parents killed was not behind attack: Lawyer