B.C. residents to pay more for hydro starting April 1
British Columbia residents will pay an average of $2 more per month for hydro power starting Saturday.
BC Hydro says effective April 1, residential electricity rates will rise by two per cent, or about $2 per month on average, following an interim rate-hike approval by the B.C. Utilities Commission.
The rate increase is part of a three-year rate application that, if approved by the BCUC, will still mark a period of the lowest rate increases in B.C. over the past 15 years, according to a statement Friday from the utility.
BC Hydro reduced its residential rates by 1.4 per cent last year. In 2024, the Crown utility expects to increase its rates again by 2.7 per cent.
"Over the three-year period, it works out to an average rate increase of 1.1 per cent per year," the statement from BC Hydro said. "This is below forecast inflation in B.C. over this period."
The utility says its electricity rates remain among the lowest in North America while still supporting electrification investments, cybersecurity, vegetation management and new projects that decrease B.C.'s dependence on fossil fuels.
"BC Hydro encourages customers to reach out to us to come up with a plan if they are having trouble paying their BC Hydro bill," the utility said.
The power company offers grants of up to $600 through its Customer Crisis Fund for those in temporary financial crisis, as well as flexible, interest-free payment plans that allow a customer to defer a payment or pay the overdue amount over time.
More information on the billing relief program is available here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Auston Matthews returns for Game 7, but Leafs minus injured goaltender Joseph Woll
Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews returned to the lineup for Game 7 against the Boston Bruins on Saturday night.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.