I’m disappointed in the provincial government’s decision to continue Site C. It is not the choice I would have made, were I in a position of influence. However, I understand it. Financial issues interconnect. Finance ministry people influenced the Site C decision, emphasizing that what is done today affects what can
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In-Sights: From Erik Andersen
In private emails, a number of people with expert economic knowledge exchange ideas about energy in BC. I get copies of some. This example, written by respected and retired economist Erik Andersen, refers to electricity markets in BC: This is a presentation of what’s called a “coffin corner”, running out
Continue readingIn-Sights: The prosecution rests
You can print and circulate this DEMAND by downloading PDF format
Continue readingIn-Sights: Freedom of disinformation
By any measure, BC Hydro was a success. So successful that pirates made plans to plunder. BC Hydro was a decades old operation that delivered power to British Columbia’s residential and business consumers at prices that ranked among the lowest anywhere. Additionally, a steady flow of money moved from the
Continue readingIn-Sights: Save BC Hydro from financial ruin
• In fiscal year 2006, BC Hydro sold more power to BC’s residential and business consumers than it sold in 2017. • In fiscal years 2006 & 2007, BC Hydro paid independent power producers (IPPs) $812 million. • In fiscal years 2016 and 2017, BC Hydro paid IPPs $2,442 million.
Continue readingIn-Sights: An electrifying agenda
Access to years of BC Hydro’s financial reports provide me with an indisputable record of the utility’s financial destruction. Eleven years ago, one citizen didn’t have detailed evidence but he did have foresight. A letter to Black Press, September 27, 2006: Editor: Re: Tom Fletcher, B.C. Views, “Road show, or
Continue readingIn-Sights: Site C – Uncertain costs, ambiguous benefits
Most readers will be familiar with Erik Andersen, an expert commentator about economic matters in BC. This is the original text he submitted to the Vancouver Sun after the newspaper published an article about BC Hydro’s Site C project. He sets out a reason – one that had not occurred
Continue readingIn-Sights: Them vs us
Disputing parties in arguments about Site C belong to either of two camps. One is populated by people wanting a share of the billions of dollars to be spent; the other by people who will be forced to pay the huge sums. I’ve seen claims that Site C is needed
Continue readingIn-Sights: Corporate media works for some but not for its audience
Earlier this year, American Bernie Sanders warned us about the failures of corporate media. In How Corporate Media Threatens Democracy, he wrote: …For years, major crises like climate change, the impact of trade agreements on our economy, the role of big money in politics and youth unemployment have received scant
Continue readingIn-Sights: Site C Twitter recap
I'd like to see a full inquiry as to how BC Hydro execs and previous BC gov't conspired to manufacture the case for #SiteC — Marc Lee (@MarcLeeCCPA) November 1, 2017 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js I'm going out on a limb. BCUC #SiteC report is the beginning of the end for this project
Continue readingIn-Sights: The Site C choice
British Columbia Utilities Commission will release its second Site C report on November 1. I expect this will provide further information but not a definitive recommendation. But, of course, the buck stops at John Horgan’s cabinet table. In 2014, Bill Bennett provided assurance that, unlike numerous Liberal megaprojects with runaway
Continue readingIn-Sights: Utility woes
There is an interesting note in BC Hydro’s quarterly report issued in mid October for the period ended June 30, 2017: These interim financial statements were approved on behalf of the Board of Directors on August 24, 2017. By law (Budget Transparency and Accountability Act, Section 10(3)), BC Hydro was
Continue readingIn-Sights: It will get worse for BC Hydro ratepayers
If you are paying attention to the affairs of BC Hydro, you know the utility is in financial trouble. However, it is electricity consumers that are feeling the pain. Unfortunately, with billions of dollars in phony assets to be written off, a growing power supply that outstrips static demand, payments
Continue readingIn-Sights: Looking forward
I assume that logic and fact will prevail and Site C, the most expensive public project in BC history, will be cancelled. It is a costly disaster but BC Hydro ratepayers are burdened even more by payments to independent power producers (IPPs). Much of the $100 million a month or
Continue readingIn-Sights: Minimum transparency
According to BC’s Budget Transparency and Accountability Act, September 15 was the final day for BC Hydro to make public its quarterly report for the period ended June 30. It was released October 16, which was the first business day following conclusion of the final technical presentation session regarding Site
Continue readingIn-Sights: Site C – building a cesspool, not a reservoir
There are reasons why proponents of Site C, including utility executives and members of the former BC Liberal Government, continue to promote the project despite much evidence that it was the wrong choice three years ago and remains that today. Read through the linked report or just consider the following
Continue readingIn-Sights: Blunders, haste and waste
BC Hydro’s Chris O’Riley may be new to the CEO’s chair, but he’s not new to the management of Site C. So, it is astounding that his letter to BCUC this week included a particular statement in admitting the project’s budget and construction schedule are askew. O’Riley indicated that another
Continue readingIn-Sights: The Site C money pit
According to Financial Post writer Geoffrey Morgan, BC Hydro sent an October 3 communication to the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC). The letter explained why it continues to forecast a surge in electricity demand, despite a dozen years of flat sales to BC consumers. Hydro claims it is forecasting new demand
Continue readingIn-Sights: BC Hydro – overdue and unimproved
Policies of British Columbia’s public sector management dictate that: Crown corporations must follow the spirit and intent of B.C. government core policies and procedures and comply with all applicable legislation, policies and guidelines… Section 32(7) of the Hydro and Power Authority Act determines the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act applies
Continue readingIn-Sights: Buy high, sell low – make up losses with volume
Originally published in December 2014. Is B.C.’s Site C dam a gateway to dirty energy?, Calyn Shaw, CBC News Network, December 22, 2014 The provincial government has made it clear that Site C is about meeting future electricity demands. But the province is currently energy self-sufficient; we are a significant
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