Whereas FortisBC rate increases are causing significant hardship to people in areas where there is no access to natural gas as they are seeing huge increases in power bills; And whereas the two tier billing system of tier one up to 1,600 kilowatt hours 9.093 cents and tier two over 1,600 kilowatt hours 13.543 cents is unrealistic for consumers; And whereas due to the challenge customers face with rising energy costs, heating and electricity have become a luxury for some British Columbia residents, especially in the Okanagan-Similkameen: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the provincial government and the British Columbia Utilities Commission eliminate the two tiered rate structure and charge customers at the lower rate, until a remedy can be found for users of electric heat who have no affordable alternative to their current inefficient home heating system.
