News Release - September 3, 2008

New double-digit hydro rate increases, following on the heels of obscene executive pay increases, continue to show how out of touch the Campbell government is with the average working person, the Official Opposition said today.

"At the same time that Gordon Campbell is pushing through obscene wage hikes for his top deputy, ordinary British Columbians get another big increase in their hydro bills.  With stagnant wages, the gas tax, and higher food costs, ordinary British Columbians deserve a break.  Instead Gordon Campbell is hitting them again with a new increase," said Opposition leader Carole James.

Under a new rate structure approved Tuesday, many homeowners, especially those who rely on electric heat, will see their hydro bills increase on October 1, and again on April 1 of next year.  Consumers who use more than a set amount of electricity each month will pay higher fees under the new rate structure.

"Many families are going to see a 20 to 25 per cent increase in their electricity costs in just two years," said James.  "Deputy Ministers are about the only people in B.C. who can afford a hit like that.  This just shows how out of touch Gordon Campbell and his government are."

Oposition energy critic John Horgan noted that the new two-tiered structure does not take into account factors such as homeowners who use electricity to heat their homes, and will likely push some consumers away from green energy to emission-generating alternatives like gas and wood.

"People who heat their homes with electricity are going to be hit especially hard.  The government may be pushing families to less green alternatives, increasing greenhouse gas emissions.  At a time when we should be encouraging people who are taking steps towards sustainability, the Campbell government is pushing through a system that will penalize them," said Horgan.

These new hydro rate hikes come on top of a 6.56 per cent increase last spring.

"Unfortunately, this new hydro rate structure is going to punish larger families for energy use.  Those that can't cut back on electricity use will have to pay more.  Because the policy is so inflexible, a family of four who have done everything they can to cut their electricity use could still be dinged by the higher electricity rate," said Horgan.

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Media contact:  Neera Ritcey, 604-317-4450