Energy Poverty & Cost of Utility Services

Written By Office Manager

BCPIAC uses its expertise in utility regulation to address systemic issues arising from utility services.  Some of the things we advocate for are:

  • Preferential rates for low-income and/or low-use utility customers

  • Demand Side Management programs that do not require the customer to make a financial contribution

  • Reduced fees for services used disproportionately by low-income people, such as reconnection fees

  • Programs that promote low rates and rate stability

BCPIAC lawyers represent a coalition of seniors’, tenants’, disability, and anti-poverty organizations in proceedings before the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC), in order to ensure that the interests of low and fixed-income residential electricity and natural gas residential ratepayers are considered.  BCPIAC has been participating in these processes since the early 1980s. 

The BCUC regulates the rates charged by monopoly electricity and natural gas utilities BC Hydro, FortisBC Energy, FortisBC Inc., and Pacific Northern Gas. The BCUC also regulates some smaller utilities. 

BCPIAC’s role is increasingly important as electricity and natural gas rates in BC continue to rise at a much faster rate than welfare rates and the minimum wage. 

In the current and ongoing BC Hydro Rate Design Application, BCPIAC is proposing four programs for low-income ratepayers: 

  1. Implementation of a reduced rate for an essential block of electricity; 

  2. Creation of a crisis assistance fund for customers who are having difficulty paying their electricity bills; 

  3. Adoption of low-income customer rules, such as: 

    • waiver of security deposits, late payment fees, and reconnection fees; 

    • more flexible payment arrangements; 

    • suspension of disconnections during cold weather periods and for customers with medical emergencies; and 

  4. An enhanced home energy retrofit program 

Evidence uncovered through the RDA proceeding shows that since smart meters were installed, BC Hydro is disconnecting about 30,000 customers a year for non-payment of bills. Before smart meters, BC Hydro was only cutting off about 6,000 customers a year. 

We have submitted detailed evidence to support our proposals: 

  • Roger Colton, an expert in low income rate design from the United States, has provided a report detailing the bill affordability proposals: 

  • Seth Klein, CCPA-BC Executive Director, has provided expert evidence on socio-economic conditions in BC and described BC’s increasing incidence of energy poverty. 

  • Five ratepayers and six anti-poverty advocates provided powerful direct evidence of their own experiences (and those of their clients) about the hardships caused by rising BC Hydro rates. 

All of BCPIAC’s evidence can be viewed here. 

Office Manager