Whereas the BC Hydro Standing Offer Program encouraging the development of new small and clean renewable energy projects was indefinitely suspended in 2019 after the Provinces comprehensive review of BC Hydro; And whereas renewable energy projects are a feasible revenue source for local governments: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Province of British Columbia reinstate the BC Hydro funding and electricity purchase program for renewable energy projects for local governments.
Ministry of Energy Mines Low Carbon Innovation British Columbia currently has a surplus of highly reliable, low-cost, and clean electricity. This surplus is more than enough to move us toward our CleanBC goals in the near and medium term. At the same time, our Government is committed to affordability for British Columbians. Part of this commitment is to keep BC Hydros rates affordable. While BC Hydro is in electricity surplus, it would have to sell any incremental electricity it purchased under an electricity purchase program for local governments on export markets, at prices that would be substantially lower that the price paid under the Standing Offer Program when that program was suspended in 2019. These losses would be recovered from all of BC Hydros customers through rates, increasing electricity bills. BC Hydro is currently developing its Integrated Resource Plan IRP, which will look at future energy needs over a 20-year period, and explore the resources required to meet them. BC Hydro sought feedback on their draft plan up until July 31, 2021 and is now considering all of the feedback received as they finalize the plan. Updates and more information can be found at https:www.bchydro.comtoolbaraboutplanning-for-our-futureclean-power-204…. In order to ensure that BC Hydros energy purchase agreements are cost-effective, and that rates are kept affordable, BC Hydros IRP and new energy purchase agreements are subject to the approval of the British Columbia Utilities Commission BCUC. BC Hydro will submit its IRP to the BCUC later this year, and the BCUC will make its decision on BC Hydros IRP in 2022, after a public process. Information on how to participate in BCUC processes can be found at https:www.bcuc.comget-involved.