WHEREAS the British Columbia Utilities Commission BCUC has properly regulated and provided independent oversight of utilities in this province for many years; AND WHEREAS the Clean Energy Act seriously restricts the BCUCs mandate to protect the interests of British Columbian consumers through scrutiny of utility resource planning and activities: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the UBCM urge the provincial government to amend the Clean Energy Act to reinstate the BCUCs ability to protect consumer interests through public and transparent scrutiny of the utility sector.
Ministry of Energy Clean Energy is a provincial economic priority. Through the Clean Energy Act, we are realigning the role of the BC Utilities Commission BCUC in how it regulates BC Hydro for domestic customers. This ensures alignment of our clean energy priorities, how BC Hydro delivers on these priorities, and how the BCUC provides regulatory oversight. Certain strategic projects have been exempted from BCUC oversight as these are seen as key projects to delivering on Governments clean energy vision. The BCUC will continue to regulate BC Hydros domestic supply and rates. While BC Hydros plans will now be submitted to Government, the BCUC will still be reviewing the projects, expenditures and contracts required to deliver those plans.