News Release - November 13, 2007

VANCOUVER- New research confirms that the Campbell government's energy plan will pummel average families and small businesses with higher costs, says Opposition energy critic John Horgan .

"Residential ratepayers and small businesses will be footing the bill for the bad ideas in the Campbell Energy plan," said Horgan, who attended the release earlier today of a comprehensive critique of the B.C. Energy Plan written by Dr. Marvin Shaffer, professor of public policy at Simon Fraser University.

The report, called Lost in Transmission, shows that average energy consumers will end up paying higher rates as a result of the Campbell government's energy policy.

"This research shows that the impact of Campbell's policy is to force B.C. Hydro to buy high and sell low," said Horgan.

"Campbell is compelling B.C. Hydro to buy from only one source at a fixed price that is above market rates. The plan also requires long term contracts for energy at times of the year when it's not necessary. In short, the Liberals' Energy Plan is designed to build an industry for energy exports to the United States."

Horgan said it's clear that Campbell is making it a higher priority to export energy to the U.S. than to meet the needs of British Columbians.

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Lost in Transmission: A Comprehensive Critique of the BC Energy Plan can be found at http://www.publicpowerbc.ca/energy-plan-update