"Campbell's privatization agenda will drive up electricity costs", says NDP energy critic
News Release - July 2, 2008
As British Columbians get walloped by Gordon Campbell's new fuel tax, New Democrat energy critic John Horgan is warning that hydro costs are also on their way up thanks to Campbell's privatization agenda.
"As if fuel costs aren't bad enough, Campbell's agenda to privatize hydro will also increase your electricity costs," said Horgan. "Whether you heat your home with oil, natural gas or electricity, Gordon Campbell is taking a big hit out of your family's income."
Horgan pointed to a recent report prepared for Pacific Gas and Electric, a California utility investigating the possibilities for access to B.C.'s electric power, which found that by 2016 B.C. will have a huge surplus of electricity.
"Gordon Campbell wants you to believe that we need his private power projects because there is a looming electricity shortage in B.C.," said Horgan. "Nothing could be further from the truth. According to BC Stats, we are net exporters of electricity - we don't need to purchase expensive private power that will further drive costs up for consumers."
Horgan said the California report and the government's own statistics prove what the NDP has been saying for the past two years: Gordon Campbell is creating an artificial crisis to support his plans to privatize B.C. Hydro.
"It's time for Campbell to listen to British Columbians. We don't need or want private hydro production that harms our rivers and drives up electricity costs," he said. "What we need is a green energy plan that focuses on public power run by B.C. Hydro on behalf of all British Columbians."
According to B.C. Hydro, on April 1 hydro rates increased 6.56 per cent, and will rise a further 8.21 per cent next year. The inclining block tariff which is currently before the B.C. Utilities Commission will lead to further cost increases for those who heat their homes with electricity.
Pacific Gas Electric Company Report to California Public Utilities Commission
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Contact: Karin Heimlich, 250-889-6308
