BC Hydro proposes 9.11-per-cent rate hike

Scott Simpson, Vancouver SunMarch 2, 2010 4:02 PM

VANCOUVER — BC Hydro is proposing to increase electricity rates by a total of 9.11 per cent this year. The Crown corporation says in its 2010-2011 service plan that it seeks a basic rate increase of 6.11 per cent to cover costs to upgrade its system, as well as increase the profit the provincial government collects from Hydro operations. Hydro also proposes to increase its so-called “rate rider,” which is used to smooth out the turbulence in its year-to-year revenue and expenses, to 4.0 per cent from one per cent. Hydro will apply this month to the British Columbia Utilities Commission for approval for the increase.