Energy policy
VANCOUVER - British Columbia is headed for an energy crunch if it doesn't make sweeping changes to the sector with a new focus on energy security, renewable energy and conservation, says a new report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the David Suzuki Foundation.
Deregulation of electricity markets in California and Alberta has resulted in brown-outs, huge price increases for electricity users, and possibilities of future shortages that could send prices sky-high. Are people in BC prepared for the same? There are mighty forces that want to see an integrated electricity market for the continent--a move that would mirror what has happened to natural gas prices. Unless Canadian governments take strong and firm action to prevent this, we could lose the advantages of having BC Hydro in the public sector.
Baby its' cold outside and natural gas is expensive. British Columbians face massive increases in the cost of natural gas, and there may be further large increases on the way. Especially for those with low incomes, it's a cold winter indeed.
So where is all the money being shelled out by consumers going?
Communities on the mid and North Coast and northern Vancouver Island have been hit hard since the mid-1990s. Highly dependent on the fishing industry, they have suffered through two rounds of downsizing that has cut the salmon fleet in half and salmon employment by two-thirds. On top of that the Gold River pulp mill has closed and 700 Prince Rupert workers are at home, waiting to see if anybody wants to run the Skeena Cellulose mill.
The provincial government has embarked on a massive redesign of BC's electricity system. Throughout this process of radical restructuring it has repeatedly downplayed the extent of the changes and continues its mantra that BC Hydro will remain in the public sector. This is literally true, but it is a carefully crafted message. In truth, the government's new energy plan will result in "three weddings and a funeral" for BC Hydro, and by the time the ceremonies are over, the utility that has served the BC public so well will be left a shell of its former self.
(Toronto) In a report released today, three prominent economists throw cold water on the "business case" that the provincial government has offered for privatizing Hydro One.
The authors, Myron Gordon, Doug Peters, and Mike McCracken, examine the arguments being made for selling the province's electricity and distribution systems to private investors and find them wanting. They conclude that, "by any objective measure, abandoning public control of this vital public infrastructure simply makes no sense."