Suggested BC Hydro rate hike of 26 per cent won’t be approved: premier

VICTORIA – B.C. Premier Christy Clark says suggested hydro rate hikes amounting to 26 per cent over the next two years won’t be approved, but she cautions that infrastructure upgrades are going to be needed.

Leaked BC Hydro documents say rates could increase by 26 per cent between 2015 and 2016.

The 26-page document details a BC Hydro Rates Working Group meeting from last month where officials discussed the need to raise an extra $1 billion to help pay for capital projects and increased capital costs.

Earlier this summer, Energy Minister Bill Bennett said power rates are destined to increase because the province needs to upgrade decades-old infrastructure, but he didn’t mention a potential 26-per-cent jump.

Opposition New Democrat energy critic John Horgan says Clark told British Columbians during the spring election campaign that she would keep hydro rates under control, but that has now changed for the worse.