Government is acting on one of its 10 Year Plan commitments for BC Hydro by beginning an independent core review of the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) to increase its effectiveness and efficiency.
Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review has appointed a task force to implement this review. The task force members include Michael Costello, Peter Ostergaard and R. Brian Wallace. They have experience in electricity policy, utility operations and the regulatory framework.
The goal of this review is to increase the BCUC’s efficiency and effectiveness so that BC Hydro rates can be set by the BCUC starting in the third year of the plan.
Task Force Terms of Reference for the Review
Review Process
Consultation is beginning in late April 2014 and will consist of face-to-face meetings with First Nations and key stakeholders, including regulated utilities, interveners and current and former BCUC staff and Commissioners. Members of the public can make written submissions at bcucreview@gov.bc.ca.
The consultation process is scheduled to be completed by mid-October. The Task Force will report back to the Minister of Justice and the Minister Responsible for Core Review with the following:
- A summary of consultations with stakeholders on the Terms of Reference will be ready in the summer 2014;
- A summary of submissions from stakeholders will be ready in the fall of 2014;
- An interim Report, due October 1, 2014; and
- A final Report, due November 17, 2014, this may include suggestions for legislative and regulatory amendments.
Project Documents
Interim Report
Stakeholder Submissions – Round One
- BCUC Review Submission – AMPC
- BCUC Review Submission – BC Hydro
- BCUC Review Submission – BC Public Interest Advocacy Centre
- BCUC Review Submission – BC Sustainable Energy Association and the Sierra Club of BC
- BCUC Review Submission – BCUC
- BCUC Review Submission – Gwen Johansson
- BCUC Review Submission – Canadian Direct Insurance
- BCUC Review Submission – CAPP
- BCUC Review Submission – Clean Energy BC
- BCUC Review Submission – Commercial Energy Consumers Association
- BCUC Review Submission – Corix
- BCUC Review Submission – Fortis BC
- BCUC Review Submission – ICBC
- BCUC Review Submission – Lawson Lundell
- BCUC Review Submission – Nelson Hydro
- BCUC Review Submission – Pacific Northern Gas
- BCUC Review Submission – Port Alice Gas
- BCUC Review Submission – Quail & Worth
- BCUC Review Submission – Sun Peaks Utilities
- BCUC Review Submission – Treaty 8 Tribal Assocation
- BCUC Review Submission – Yukon Electrical
- BCUC Review Submission – Zellstoff Celgar
Stakeholder Submissions – Round Two
- BCUC Review Submission – BC Hydro
- BCUC Review Submission – BCUC
- BCUC Review Submission – CAPP
- BCUC Review Submission – Fortis BC
- BCUC Review Submission – Tribal 8 Treaty Association
Stakeholder Submissions – Round Three
- BCUC Review Submission – AMPC
- BCUC Review Submission – BC Hydro
- BCUC Review Submission – BC Sustainable Energy Association and the Sierra Club of BC
- BCUC Review Submission – BCUC
- BCUC Review Submission – Corix
- BCUC Review Submission – Fortis BC
- BCUC Review Submission – Lawson Lundell
- BCUC Review Submission – Provincial Water Comptroller’s Office
- BCUC Review Submission – Treaty 8 Tribal Association
- BCUC Review Submission – Commercial Energy Consumers Association
Consultation Summaries
- BCUC Review Final Consultation Summary – September 25, 2014
- BCUC Review Interim Consulatation Summary – September 29, 2014
Ministry of Energy and Mines – October 9, 2014.