News Release - April 3, 2008

VICTORIA - Opposition Energy Critic John Horgan today called on the Campbell government to shelve Bill 15, which makes it even easier for private power producers to replace B.C.'s public power.

"This legislation is another attack by the Campbell government on B.C.'s precious public power system," said Horgan. "Since 2001, the B.C. Liberals have severely undermined B.C. Hydro's ability to generate new power and manage our reservoirs by reducing its role to a clearing house for private power production. The amendments to the Utilities Commission Act contemplated by Bill 15 grant more powers to the Minister of Energy and the Cabinet to accelerate down this destructive path."

Bill 15 directs the B.C. Utilities Commission to adopt and entrench the model of privately generated power as laid out in the B.C. Liberal 2003 and 2007 energy plans. Further, by expanding the powers of the "Minister responsible for the administration of the Hydro and Power Authority Act," Bill 15 will make it easier for private power projects to enter B.C. and will further restrict B.C. Hydro's ability to be competitive in the integrated North American energy market.

"The B.C. Liberal policy of buying high and selling low makes no economic sense. To direct B.C. Hydro to only purchase from one source is driving the Campbell government's privatization plans behind a facade of environmental stewardship. Bill 15 is designed to place restrictions on B.C. Hydro rather than on private interests that are directly eroding our public power system and its environment.

"Meanwhile, high-priced, low-value private power is driving B.C. Hydro rates up. And the public is forced to shell out more money for the most basic services. And our rivers and streams remain threatened by environmentally unsound projects," Horgan said.

Horgan added that the recent shelving of the Upper Pitt River Project shows British Columbians are becoming aware of the true intentions of the Campbell government and will not accept its wrong direction. He said the B.C. Liberals should prepare to face tough questions in relation to hundreds of other private projects across British Columbia.

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