WHEREAS the British Columbia Utilities Commission, which regulates energy utility rates in the province of BC, has approved a tiered electricity rate structure so that within a two-month billing period one rate is charged for power usage up to 1,600 kWh, but a higher rate is levied on power usage over 1,600 kWh; AND WHEREAS low-income residents of BC are specifically vulnerable to such a tiered rate structure because they often live in rental facilities, with limited resources or options to reduce electricity usage: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM call on the provincial government to review the impact of a tiered electricity rate structure on low-income British Columbians; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if the results of the review of the tiered rate structure reveal a negative impact, that amendments be made to minimize the effect for those less fortunate and those who have limited options to reduce their electricity usage i.e. no access to natural gas.
Ministry of Energy Mines The BC Utilities Commission BCUC approved rate increases and a conservation rate structure for FortisBCs residential customers effective January 1, 2013. FortisBCs conservation rate consists of two block rates. A lower rate is applied to the first two-thirds of average consumption and a higher rate is applied to the remaining third. The higher rate on above-average consumption is designed to provide a price signal to encourage customers to use less electricity and make investments in energy efficiency. BC Hydro has the same structure for its residential rates. The average customer will not pay more under this new rate structure. In fact, 75 percent of customers will see their bills stay the same or go down. However, larger homes and homes with electric space or water heaters or other amenities such as hot tubs or swimming pools may see higher bills. While the Ministry is monitoring the impact of the conservation rate structure, FortisBC is a privately-owned utility and its rates are regulated by the BCUC.