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OKANAGAN - B.C. Hydro is reporting a power outage affecting a wide swath of a sparsely populated part of Okanagan Lake north of Kelowna, including parts of Lake Country.

The power company through its outage map is reporting a power interuption which began at 1:24 p.m., Aug. 2, affecting 1,782 customers.

Crews are enroute to fix the problem, the company reports, estimating their arrival at 2:30 p.m. although it doesn’t say exactly where they are headed.

The web page describes the outage as south of Northern View Drive and north of Westside Road.

The outage map shows the affected area primarily along Westside Road but also along the east side of the lake at Okanagan Centre and Carrs Landing in Lake Country.

More to come.

Source: http://infotel.ca/newsitem/power-outage-hits-north-end-of-okanagan-lake/it33265

BC Hydro said the temporary hike would be mean about an extra four dollars a month per customer. — Image Credit: BC Hydro Files

BC Hydro applied Friday for an electricity rate increase of four per cent, starting April 1.

The utility said that would mean an extra four dollars a month for the average residential customer.

CEO Jessica McDonald said staff applied to the B.C. Utilities Commission to hike the rate for the next fiscal year because they need more time to update their forecasts in light of “recent events in the mining and LNG sectors.”

BC Hydro had planned to make a three-year rate application using government-mandated rate caps of four per cent this year, 3.5 per cent next year and three per cent in the following year.

McDonald said the next two years will still be within the government-directed caps, part of a 10-year rate plan that will turn the setting of rates back to the BCUC by 2020.

Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett recently announced a deferral program for mines, allowing them to put off paying their electricity bills to keep operating with low prices for metals and coal.

BC Hydro said it expects to continue to see an overall increase in demand for the next couple of decades.

Source: http://www.kelownacapnews.com/news/370315441.html

Liz Walker points out the analog meter still in operation at her Surrey home.

B.C. Hydro needs to remove more than 88,000 smart meters that are either faulty or may not meet Measurement Canada standards, public records show.

On top of that, the Crown corporation wants to replace 8,200 old analog meters and introduce nearly 5,000 new meters that work in rural areas that have poor wireless connections.

The total bill will be at least $20 million.

Despite this information — contained in a request for proposals to supply the new meters — B.C. Hydro’s vice-president of customer service Keith Anderson said he’s “confident” most of the province’s 1.9 million smart meters will last 20 years.

“We’re pretty confident at this point we’ll get the life expectancy we wanted and expected,” Anderson said.

B.C. Hydro estimates that by 2019 it will need to remove 40,000 faulty or failed meters, and another 48,000 meters for testing to see whether they still meet Measurement Canada’s accuracy standards. Hydro says those meters found to meet standards will be put back into its inventory.

The call for bidders closed Jan. 14.

New meters cost $200 each, including installation. Anderson said he was unable to release the budget for the replacement project and could not comment on the length of warranty for smart meters from supplier Itron.

“That’s commercially sensitive to Itron,” Anderson told The Province. “It’s something that we negotiated out past their regular warranty provisions.”

Under its old analog system, B.C. Hydro exchanged about 40,000 meters per year.

Doubts have been raised elsewhere in North America about the lifespan of smart meters. The 2014 annual report by the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario said “distribution companies we consulted said the 15-year estimate is overly optimistic,” compared to 40 years for an analog meter.

The report said smart meters are like other types of information technology: subject to upgrades, short warranties and malfunctions. Moreover, they will likely be obsolete by the time they are re-verified every six-to-10 years by Measurement Canada.

Last October, the chief information officer for Ohio-based FirstEnergy told a U.S. Congress subcommittee on power system security that the lifespan is five to seven years.

“These devices are now computers, and so they have to be maintained,” Bennett Gaines testified.

Anderson said he was not familiar enough to comment on either the Ontario report or that testimony, but said B.C. Hydro’s units are more advanced.

NDP critic Adrian Dix doubts both the 20-year life estimate and planned 20-year amortization period in the 2011 business plan. The project was budgeted at $930 million.

Dix said the number of failures would “presumably continue to go up as the smart meters get older.”

“Would you amortize your TV over 20 years? Would you amortize your cellphone over 20 years?” Dix said. “I don’t think you would. This is what B.C. Hydro has done or been ordered to do by the government.”

The tendering documents also show that the Crown corporation wants to replace 4,180 units by the end of March with ones that are cellular compatible. Those non-communicating units removed from rural areas and behind concrete walls will be returned to Hydro’s inventory, Anderson said.

Health concerns motivate holdout

Liz Walker finds herself among a dwindling group of B.C. Hydro customers who refuse to convert from an analog meter to a smart meter.

“A lot of people folded because they couldn’t afford the legacy fees and they’ve been railroaded to accepting smart meters,” said Walker.

She pays $32.40 a month for her analog meter to be read manually at her house in Surrey and a property she inherited in Peachland.

B.C. Hydro installed 1.9 million smart meters from 2011 to 2013, but backed away in July 2013 from imposing smart meters on 68,000 holdouts.

Keith Anderson, Hydro’s vice-president of customer service, said there now are fewer than 14,000 customers paying extra to keep analog meters or use smart meters with the radios switched off.

A B.C. Hydro tender call seeking installation companies forecasts 8,200 “legacy-to-smart” exchanges in the next four years.

Walker said her original 1968 analog meter was replaced last summer with another analog one after the accuracy seal expired.

Walker, who said she worked as a chemical technician at B.C. Hydro’s Powertech Labs for 10 years until 1990, is concerned about health risks of radio frequency electromagnetic fields.

She said Hydro tried to convince her that the stucco walls at her Surrey house would reduce exposure levels. The problem was, Walker said, “my meter would end up behind that stucco wall” and too close for comfort to her son’s room.

In 2011, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified radio frequency electromagnetic fields as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”

A 2011 Health Canada document, however, says that exposure from smart meters does not pose a public health risk: “Survey results have shown that smart meters transmit data in short bursts, and when not transmitting data, the smart meter does not emit RF energy.”

Walker is hoping a B.C. Supreme Court class action lawsuit against B.C. Hydro gets a green light from the courts. Justice Elaine Adair reserved her decision Dec. 11. Smart meter foes want refunds and the choice to return smart meters for analog units.

“I don’t think, financially, the province can afford this program, especially if we’re going to replace smart meters within a decade,” Walker said.

— Bob Mackin

Source: http://www.theprovince.com/touch/story.html?id=11660282

Last week, the provincial government issued a release bragging about how it’s entrenched on the front lines in the war against zebra and quagga mussels.

According to the release, more than 3,200 boats have been inspected since May, keeping B.C. safe from the invasive creatures.

“Our co-ordinated and ongoing efforts are making a real difference keeping invasive mussels out of B.C.,” said Mary Polak, environment minister.

“We have risen to the challenge, and are continuing to develop a sustainable mussel prevention program by building capacity, experience and additional partnerships.”

The government’s invasive mussel defence program includes six mobile decontamination units and 12 auxiliary conservation officers.

Financing consists of $1.3 million from Victoria and B.C. Hydro and $360,000 from the Columbia Basin Trust.

This all sounds great, but it’s not enough, according to the Okanagan Basin Water Board.

“We’d like to see permanent decontamination sites at the borders,” said Juliette Cunningham, an OBWB director and Vernon city councillor.

“There is an opportunity for some boats to get through. We don’t have a level of comfort that all is being done that could be done.”

And depending on mobile inspection stations means the B.C. border is like holes in Swiss cheese. If the six decontamination units are busy, who is minding the store at the other crossings along Alberta, the U.S. and the north?

The government’s back-slapping over its mussel response came at the same time that OBWB heard from Julia Lew, with the Southern Nevada Water Authority.

Since the arrival of quagga mussels in 2007, SNWA has struggled to keep them from clogging water intakes and undermining water treatment infrastructure.

“Whereas we haven’t seen some of the effects other jurisdictions have with the mussels, we’ve had others not seen elsewhere,” said Lew.

“For example, in many areas where the mussels exist there is one reproductive cycle per year and one female can produce a million eggs. But the warm water temperatures in Lake Mead is resulting in six to eight reproductive cycles per year.”

Another issue for SNWA is the $8 million price tag to chemically pre-treat a new intake, which is needed because of declining water levels in Lake Mead.

Lew is urging B.C. and Okanagan officials not to sit back and wait for the mussels to show up on a contaminated boat.

“If we could go back in time, prevention would have been the way to go. I know some think prevention is costly, but the moment you don’t have it, and the mussels get in, it’s devastating. The costs once they arrive are far worse,” she said.

Cunningham sees Nevada’s experience as a wake up call for the Okanagan, particularly because warm temperatures in Kalamalka and Wood lakes could prove ideal for breeding mussels.

“It’s quite alarming the measures that need to be taken and the cost involved,” she said.

In the government release, Forests Minister Steve Thomson says, “Invasive mussels pose a threat to more than just ecosystems, but to drinking water facilities, hydro stations, agricultural irrigation and more. While we continue to see great success stories this summer, we all need to do our part to keep invasive quagga and zebra mussels out of B.C. waters.”

And while all residents play a role in preventing the spread of mussels, the provincial government needs to do the heavy lifting.

Source: http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/opinion/325756231.html

January 26, 2015 Highlights of the Regional District of Central Okanagan Regular Board Meeting

Nothing was mentioned in the Highlights about Item 5.1 District Of West Kelowna Single Radial Electrical Line

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January 26, 2014 audio of entire RDCO Board meeting - .mp3 ( MB)

January 26, 2015 audio of RDCO Board meeting only about Item 5.1 District Of West Kelowna Single Radial Electrical Line - .wma (3.30 MB)

January 26, 2015 Regional District of Central Okanagan Regular Board Meeting Agenda

Item 5.1 District Of West Kelowna Single Radial Electrical Line

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January 26, 2014 audio of entire RDCO Board meeting - .mp3 ( MB)

January 26, 2015 audio of RDCO Board meeting only about Item 5.1 District Of West Kelowna Single Radial Electrical Line - .wma (3.30 MB)

Dear Fortis,

Thank you for the recent notice in the mail that you will be installing a smart meter on my home. When I called to make sure mine has the radio turned off your representative asked me why and I replied, "Seeing as an entire Province just recalled every smart meter because they were exploding on homes it seemed like common sense." Your representative's convincing argument of, "that was a different company" was so touching and so convincing that I almost put the lives of my children in your hands and took your word for it. But I decided to have the radio turned off anyway.

I was told that there was an 88$ fee to have the radio button turned off. My question is, are you hiring any button pushers at the moment? For $88 a pop to push a button, I can only assume that these button pushers are being paid extremely well. I assure you, I have excellent button pushing skills and could push hundreds of them in an hour. Let's say I push 200 buttons an hour. At $88 a piece, that's $17,600 I could make for you in one hour! Even if I could get a small piece of that, the extra income would go a long way towards paying the recent $600 electricity bill I received.

So please, I beg you, consider me for your radio button pushing position. I have small kids, a small house and an exorbitant electricity bill. I could use all the help I can get.

Sincerely,
Micha Pesta

The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce supports the provincial government’s decision to approve Site C.

B.C. Hydro will be allowed to construct a third dam on the Peace River in northeastern B.C. to generate electricity.

“B.C.’s economy has been built on reliable, low-cost power and while this was a difficult decision it is a significant one that will result in clean and renewable power for generations,” said Jaron Chasca, chamber president.

“By committing to building Site C, the government is investing in continued access to the energy we need to take B.C. forward.”

The B.C. Chamber of Commerce has promoted the project so the province continues to have a competitive business advantage.

“Reliable, affordable power allows our businesses to compete nationally and globally and to create jobs right here in B.C.” said John Winter, B.C. Chamber of Commerce president.

Fortis will begin installing smart meters in Kelowna homes next week.

Installation of the new meters will start in Joe Rich, Black Mountain and parts of Rutland.

In a news release, Fortis said customers will see its crews and installers from Corix Utilities in their neighbourhoods in the coming weeks and months, as the meter exchanges continue in Kelowna through the first few months of 2015.

Meter installers will carry identification and be easily identifiable as FortisBC contractors.

Fortis will notify customers by mail a few weeks before the electricity meter is to be exchanged at a property.

Fortis has been installing meters in the Trail-Salmo area since September.

"Once the project is complete in late 2015, the new meters will open the door to benefits our customers are asking for, like fewer bill estimates, up-to-date electricity use information, and a more efficient response to power outages," says Fortis.
Smart meters are controversial with many critics claiming they emit dangerous electromagnetic radiation.

Some jurisdictions have removed smart meters or stopped their installation programs after fires were reported in the units.
BC Hydro has already installed the units across the province.

The Polish town of Kisielice has received the European Commission’s ManagEnergy Award 2014 for its clean energy leadership. It is 100% powered by renewable energy (wind and biomass, to be specific). The prize is to award outstanding local and regional sustainable energy projects. Kisielice’s submission was titled, “Energy self-sufficient Commune of Kisielice.”

Mayor Tomasz Koprowiak of the small community in the province of Warmia-Mazury received this thanks for his work with the town to reduce emissions, abandon dependence on coal, and improve air quality. This is quite an anomaly in Poland, which gets over 90% of its electricity from coal.

“We have a strategy for our community to develop in this way, to become energy self-sufficient. This European Commission’s Award confirms that we have taken the right path,” said Mayor Koprowiak.

The abundance of agricultural land makes it possible to place a lot of wind turbines on the farmland. Over 50 wind turbines with a total capacity of 94.5 MW have been installed their. “Wind turbines are especially good at fitting onto a farm without hindering its output. In fact, in some cases, the wind turbines can improve yields,” Sustainnovate notes.

There’s also a 6-megawatt biomass boiler in Kisielice to supplement the wind turbines. It burns cereal straw that comes from local farmers, which boosts their income. It is connected to a district heating network that provides heat for 85% of the community’s buildings.

Praised by Jury member Fiona Harvey due to its variety of technologies, Kisielice continues on the path towards energy independence. RenewEconomy reports: “A third wind farm of 24 MW is currently under construction and already partly in operation. Later this year, the town will announce a tender for the purchase and installation of the region’s first solar photovoltaic plant.”

Poland has a long way to go to kick its horrible dirty energy habit, but hopefully this town inspires others to follow suit. Here at CleanTechnica, we recently reported that Alstom secured its first deal for implementation of a wind energy project in Poland, “This project, expected to be commissioned by the end of 2015 would be one of the largest wind farms in Poland, and would be built at an estimated cost of €80 million.”

INTEGRATING EVS INTO THE SMART GRID
One way to help balance the grid is to use electric vehicles to store excess energy. Wildpoldsried now has 32 electric vehicles that are leased to residents. When there’s an energy surplus, the vehicle’s batteries are given charging priority. The plan for the future is to have the vehicles return electricity to the grid in case of power shortages.

IRENE ended in 2013, and the developed smart grid now serves as the foundation for IREN2 (Future Viable Networks for Integration of Renewable Energy Systems). The goal of IREN2 is to study how energy systems with distributed power generation, battery storage, district heating, biogas plants, and diesel generators can be technically and economically optimized.

The renewable energy systems in Wildpoldsried have done more than help Germany move towards its renewable energy goals. The renewable energy systems have created 140 new jobs, led to construction of an ecological training center, and increased tourism, with over 100 delegations visiting the town each year. The increased revenue has allowed the town to have its own doctors, recreation center, fire station, and other amenities not available in many other towns of a similar size. And the success of the smart grid will enable places to develop even larger smart grids for all of Germany and the world.

A Service Connection and a meter are required to connect all Premises to BC Hydro's distribution system. A meter is not required in those cases where BC Hydro permits unmetered service. An Extension may also be required to provide service to a Premises not connected at the time the application for service is made.

from page 10

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4.3 Meter Testing

Any Customer who doubts the accuracy of the meter measuring Electricity used by the Customer may have the meter tested pursuant to the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act (Canada). Applications for such tests should be made to the nearest Measurement Canada  office.

If the meter test discloses that the meter is registering with an error greater than that permitted  under the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act, Measurement Canada will refund the fee to the  applicant and charge the cost of the test to BC Hydro. BC Hydro is not permitted to verify the  accuracy of meters. However, these regulations do not prevent BC Hydro making tests for its own information.

page 17-3

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5. METER READING AND BILLING

5.1. Meter Reading

The interval between consecutive meter readings shall be at the sole discretion of BC Hydro.

Where the Rate Schedule under which a Customer takes service does not require measurement of the Customer's demand, the meter will normally be read at intervals of two months. Where the Rate Schedule under which a Customer takes service requires measurement of the Customer's demand, the meter or meters will normally be read at intervals of one month.

page 19

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8.5. Refund of Extension Fee for Rate Zone I (Excluding Subdivisions)

8.5.1. Extension Fee $5,000 or Less
For an Extension where an Extension Fee of $5,000 or less is required from the Customer, BC Hydro will automatically refund to the Customer 20% of the required Extension Fee. This refund is in recognition of the estimated impact of subsequent Customer additions over the first five years and the original Customer is not eligible for any future refunds.

8.5.2. Extension Fee Greater Than $5,000
For an Extension where an Extension Fee greater than $5,000 is required from the Customer, BC Hydro will refund to the original Customer the difference, if any, between BC Hydro's maximum contribution for a subsequent Customer (as determined by BC Hydro) and BC Hydro's Contribution for that subsequent Customer, for all subsequent Customers that connect to the Extension in the first five years after the Extension is energized.

Refunds shall not exceed the original Customer Extension Fee. Amounts of $100 or less will not be refunded. Interest will not be paid on refunds.

A Customer may apply for a refund at any time after the first anniversary date of completion of the Extension. A refund evaluation request may only be made once in any 12-month period.

The Customer is responsible for initiating a written request to BC Hydro for a refund. Any Customer who fails to provide such a written request by the end of the sixth year after the energization of the Extension will forfeit all rights to any refund.

page 30

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11.2. Minimum Reconnection Charges

$125.00 per meter, if the Customer request for reconnection allows BC Hydro to make the reconnection during regular working hours.

$158.00 per meter, if the Customer request for reconnection requires BC Hydro to make the reconnection on overtime.

$355.00 per meter, if the Customer request for reconnection requires BC Hydro to make the reconnection on a call out.

page 39

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SCHEDULE 1101, 1121- RESIDENTIAL SERVICE

Availability: For Residential Service. Service is normally single phase, 60 hertz at the  secondary potential available. In BC Hydro's discretion, service may be  three phase 120/208 or 240 volts.
Applicable in: Rate Zone I.
Rate: 1. Schedule 1101 - Residential Service
Minimum Charge: Basic Charge 16.64¢ per day

Energy Charge

A. For customers billed monthly
Step 1 - First 675 kW.h per month @ 7.52 cents/kW.h
Step 2- Additional kW.h per month @ 11.27 cents/kW.h

B. For customers billed bi-monthly
Step 1- First 1350 kW.h per two months @ 7.52 cents/kW.h
Step 2- Additional kW.h per two months @ 11.27 cents/kW.h

Note: For billing purposes. Step 1 is pro-rated on a daily basis.

Tenth Revision of page 2

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Effective April 1, 2014

SCHEDULE 1107, 1127 - RESIDENTIAL SERVICE -ZONE II
Availability: For Residential Service. Service is normally single phase, 60 hertz at the  secondary potential available. In BC Hydro's discretion, service may be three  phase 120/208 or 240 volts.
Applicable in: Rate Zone II.

Rate:

1. Schedule 1107 - Residential Service
Minimum Charge: Basic Charge 17.75 ¢ per day
First 1500 kW.h per month @ 9.01 ¢ per kW.h
All additional kW.h per month @ 15.48 ¢ per kW.h.

2. Schedule 1127- Multiple Residential Service
Basic Charge 17.75 ¢ per single-family dwelling per day
First 1500 kW.h per single-family dwelling per month @ 9.01 ¢per kW.h
All additional kW.h per month @ 15.48 ¢ per kW.h.

Schedule 1107- The Basic Charge.
Schedule 1127- The Basic Charge per Single-Family Dwelling.

Thirteenth Revision of page 6

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source: www.bchydro.com/content/dam/BCHydro/customer-portal/documents/corporate/tariff-filings/electric-tariff/00-bchydro-electric-tariff.pdf

BCUC Staff

*Note* Below are only snippets, please click link above for entire content.

A. On November 26, 2013, the Province of British Columbia announced a 10-year plan regarding British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) rates and revenue requirements including, among other things, average rate increases of 9 percent and 6 percent in fiscal 2015 (F2015) and fiscal 2016 (F2016), respectively;

B. On March 6, 2014, B.C. Reg. 29/2014 enacted Direction No. 6 (Direction No. 6) to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (Commission) pursuant to section 3 of the Utilities Commission Act (Act);

C. Direction No. 6 requires the Commission to issue final orders set out in the direction within twenty days of an application for such orders by BC Hydro. Direction No. 6 concerns fiscal year 2014 (F2014), F2015 and F2016 only. Once the Commission has issued the requested orders Direction No. 6 will no longer have legal effect;

D. On March 6, 2014, B.C. Reg. 28/2014 enacted Direction No. 7 (Direction No. 7) to the Commission pursuant to section 3 of the Act. Direction No. 7 primarily concerns fiscal year 2017 (F2017) and future fiscal periods, although some of its provisions also impact F2014, F2015, and F2016;

E. Direction No. 7 also repeals Heritage Special Direction No. HC2, but continues the essential elements of the  Heritage Contract framework formerly enshrined in Heritage Special Direction No. HC2;

F. On March 7, 2014, BC Hydro filed an application pursuant to the Act and Directions No. 6 and 7, seeking Commission orders that, among other things would confirm as final, and no longer subject to refund, BC Hydro’s F2014 rates and set its F2015 and F2016 Electric Tariff and Open Access Transmission Tariff rates as final (Application);

G. The F2015 and F2016 rates for which approval is sought are prescribed by Direction No. 6, and mostly effect average rate increases of 9 percent and 6 percent per year, respectively, subject to in all cases, except the Transmission Service Rate stepped rate (RS 1823), the Commission approved pricing principles;

H. Notwithstanding the pricing principles established in Order G-79-05, Direction No. 6 effectively results in the 9 percent and 6 percent rate increases in F2015 and F2016, respectively, being applied to both the Tier 1 and Tier 2 RS 1823 energy rates;

I. Three other rate schedules are also affected as a consequence of the equal application of the rate increase to the Tier 1 and Tier 2 energy charge of RS 1823 since those rate schedules are directly tied to the RS 1823 Tier 2 price. The affected rate schedules are: RS 1825 - Transmission Service - Time-of-Use, RS 1880 - Transmission Service - Standby and Maintenance Supply, and Tariff Supplement No. 76 - Shore Power;

page 1-2

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NOW THEREFORE for the reasons set out in the Reasons attached as Appendix B to this Order, the Commission orders as follows:

F2014 Final Rates
1. Pursuant to Direction No. 6, section 3(a), BC Hydro's F2014 schedule of expenditures on demand-side measures is accepted as shown in Schedule A to Appendix A of this Order.
2. Pursuant to Direction No. 6, section 3(b), BC Hydro’s F2014 rates, set as interim by Order G-77-12A, are confirmed as final and no longer subject to refund.

page 3

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Smart Metering Infrastructure (SMI) Regulatory Account

8. Pursuant to Direction No. 6, section 3(l)(ii), BC Hydro must defer to the SMI Regulatory Account its F2015 and F2016 net operating costs arising from the smart metering and infrastructure program and the net operating costs arising from Order G-166-13.

9. Pursuant to Direction No. 6, section 3(l)(i), BC Hydro must amortize from the SMI Regulatory Account the amounts of $30.5 million and $31.3 million in F2015 and F2016 respectively.

page 4

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F2015 and F2016 Final Rates

33. Pursuant to Direction No. 6, section 3(a), and section 44.2 of the Utilities Commission Act, BC Hydro’s F2015 and F2016 schedule of expenditures on demand-side measures is accepted as shown in Schedule A to  Appendix A of this Order.

34. Pursuant to Direction No. 6, section 3(c) and Direction No. 7, section 16(3), BC Hydro’s F2015 and F2016 Electric Tariff rates are set as shown in Schedule B to Appendix A of this Order, effective April 1, 2014 and April 1, 2015 respectively on a final, non-refundable basis.

35. Pursuant to Direction No. 6, section 3(d), BC Hydro’s F2015 and F2016 Open Access Transmission Tariff rates are set as shown in Schedule C to Appendix A of this Order, effective April 1, 2014 and April 1, 2015 respectively on a final, non-refundable basis.

page 7

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By operation of the 20 day time period in sections 3(c) and 3(d) of Direction No 6, March 27, 2014 is the final  date for the Commission to approve the rates set out in Appendix B and Appendix C to that direction.

On March 13, 2014, the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Ministry) filed a letter with the Commission identifying an  error in Direction No. 6, Appendix B, with respect to the energy rate unit in the Electric Tariff Rates for RS 3808 Transmission Service to FortisBC Inc. The letter states that the energy rate should be in cents per kilowatt hour, as in the existing RS 3808 rate, rather than in dollars per kilowatt hour as it appears in Direction No. 6.  The letter further states that the Ministry is working with the Ministry of Justice Legislative Counsel to draft an amendment to Direction No. 6 to rectify the error; however, the amendment cannot be made prior to the Commission’s issuing deadline of Thursday, March 27, 2014.

On March 17, 2014 the BC Hydro filed a submission in which it also identified the error in Direction No. 6. BC  Hydro submits that the Rate Schedule 3808 energy rates set out in Direction No. 6 are over 100 times greater than the current energy rate in Rate Schedule 3808 and that “[i]ncreasing the energy rates from the current rate of $0.03724/kWh to $4.059/kWh would result in monthly charges in the order of hundreds of millions of dollars and annual charges in the billions of dollars.” BC Hydro submits that as a matter of statutory interpretation the  Commission could substitute the correct rates for the erroneous (and unacceptably absurd) rates. BC Hydro amended the relief it was seeking accordingly.

Appendix B page 1

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For these reasons, the Commission agrees there is a meritorious basis for granting the section 16(3) relief sought by BC Hydro. Accordingly, the Commission approves the F2015 and F2016 rates as contained in Schedule B to Appendix A, of Order G-48-14 effective April 1, 2014 and April 1, 2015 respectively on a final and non-refundable basis.

In addition, the Commission makes the other orders sought by BC Hydro in the Application.

BC Hydro must file amended rate schedules for F2015 in accordance with the directives in Order G-48-14 by  March 31, 2014

Appendix B page 6

======================

click image for a larger copy

Source:   www.bcuc.com/Documents/Proceedings/2014/DOC_41131_03-24-2014-G-48-14_BCH-F15-16-RevenueRequirements.pdf

found on page 4 at link

click for a larger copy

*Note, these are only snippets, please click link above for entire content

RELIABILITY PERFORMANCE
In Fiscal 2014, the BC Hydro average interruption duration per customer was 2.30 hours compared to 2.34 hours in Fiscal 2013. The  average number of interruptions per customer in Fiscal 2014 was 1.56 compared to 1.60 in Fiscal 2013. These statistics also include  interruptions due to planned outages. page 4

The lifespan of a distribution pole is approximately 40 to 50 years, but simply using the age of a pole is not an accurate method to determine its reliability, therefore BC Hydro inspects poles regularly.

GRANTS-IN-LIEU
BC Hydro pays net property tax and grant payments to local governments. The grant program is a Provincial Government initiative and  the amounts paid are determined under the current legislation. Listed below are the grants paid to each community in the Thompson  Okanagan Columbia region as at June 30, 2014. page 6

click for a larger copy of these grants-in-lieu

Over the next four years, BC Hydro will be replacing all 1.8M residential and commercial customers' existing meters with new Smart Meters. The meters used by BC Hydro for electricity reading are based on 1950’s technology, so in October, 2005, BC Hydro began their Smart Meters or Advanced Metering Infrastructure review to determine how current
technology could better serve ratepayers and the province.

In their Fiscal 2006 Service Plan, BC Hydro committed to the SMI project with completion scheduled for 2012, and the Clean Energy Act reiterated the completion of the project by 2012. The SMI budget is estimated at approximately $930M:

page 116

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Recommendation
We recommend that BC Hydro:
(55) Re-evaluate the cost estimates of the SMI project to determine if there are opportunities to reduce the overall costs of the project, decreasing costs to ratepayers over the longer term, including reassessment of high project contingencies.

The benefits of having differential pricing (Time of Use rates) for peak and non-peak times is to encourage conservation. BC Hydro states on their website that this differential pricing may be considered after the completion of the current Integrated Resource Planning process. The planning process will determine if there is any need for Time of Use rates
to meet BC Hydro's future capacity needs. If voluntary time of use rates are not implemented, a small amount of the savings estimated in the business case may not be realized, however even without time of use there would be positive payback, as theft detection and operational efficiencies makes up 93% of savings while time of use is only 7% of savings according to the business case. As noted in section 2.5.1, government has directed that mandatory differential pricing will not be implemented.

page 117

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BC Hydro is creating an incentive for individuals to obtain In-Home Display units. The purpose of these In-Home Display units is to encourage people to actively track their real time use of electricity and, thereby, reduce their consumption. The rebate program will cover the full cost of a basic residential unit which has a commercial value of approximately $50. The budget value for this rebate program is estimated at $42M. Given that consumption tracking can be done with a computer or hand-held device, and the current economic constraints BC Hydro is facing and the impact of the cost of the rebate to ratepayers, BC Hydro may wish to re-examine the incentive.

Recommendation
We recommend that BC Hydro:
(56) Re-evaluate the SMI in home display rebate program to actively track real time use of electricity and to assess the benefits of the program versus the impact of the program costs on ratepayers.
Consider whether this element of the program should require prior BC Utilities Commission approval.

BC Hydro estimates that approximately 45% of the cost savings benefit to be derived from the SMI project will be from theft detection. This has been  supported by independent research from the University of the Fraser Valley Center for Public Safety and Criminal Justice Research.
If these estimated benefits are realized over the long term, ratepayers will receive a return on their investment in SMI through lowered energy costs.

page 118

Smart meters
17 (1) In this section:

"private dwelling" means

(a) a structure that is occupied as a private residence, or
(b) if only part of a structure is occupied as a private residence, that part of the structure;

"smart grid" means the prescribed equipment;

"smart meter" means a meter that meets the prescribed requirements, and includes related components, equipment and metering and communication infrastructure that meet the prescribed requirements.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), the authority must install and put into operation smart meters and related equipment in accordance with and to the extent required by the regulations.
(3) The authority must complete all obligations imposed under subsection (2) by the end of the 2012 calendar year.
(4) The authority must establish a program to install and put into operation a smart grid in accordance with and to the extent required by the regulations.
(5) The authority may, by itself, or by its engineers, surveyors, agents, contractors, subcontractors or employees, enter on any land, other than a private dwelling, without the consent of the owner, for a purpose relating to the use, maintenance, safeguarding, installation, replacement, repair, inspection, calibration or reading of its meters, including smart meters, or of its smart grid.
(6) If a public utility, other than the authority, makes an application under the Utilities Commission Act in relation to smart meters, other advanced meters or a smart grid, the commission, in considering the application, must consider the government's goal of having smart meters, other advanced meters and a smart grid in use with respect to customers other than those of the authority.

===========================

Clean Energy Act (The originating legislation)

"smart meter" means a meter that meets the prescribed requirements, and includes related components, equipment and metering and communication infrastructure that meet the prescribed requirements.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), the authority must install and put into operation smart meters and related equipment in accordance with and to the extent required by the regulations.
(3) The authority must complete all obligations imposed under subsection (2) by the end of the 2012 calendar year.
(4) The authority must establish a program to install and put into operation a smart grid in accordance with and to the extent required by the regulations.
(5) The authority may, by itself, or by its engineers, surveyors, agents, contractors, subcontractors or employees, enter on any land, other than a private dwelling, without the consent of the owner, for a purpose relating to the use, maintenance, safeguarding, installation, replacement, repair, inspection, calibration or reading of its meters, including smart meters, or of its smart grid.
(6) If a public utility, other than the authority, makes an application under the Utilities Commission Act in relation to smart meters, other advanced meters or a smart grid, the commission, in considering the application, must consider the government's goal of having smart meters, other advanced meters and a smart grid in use with respect to customers other than those of the authority.

http://www.leg.bc.ca/39th2nd/1st_read/gov17-1.htm

===========================

BC Hydro's website

Implementation to be Prudent and On Budget
Smart meter installation will be on time and on budget. Installation of smart meters will begin in 2011 and will be complete by the end of 2012 with other elements of the program implemented through 2014

Installation of Smart Meters Mid 2011 through 2012
Customers receive information packages before smart meters are installed in their community1.

Smart meters are part of an integrated program that will pay for itself through reduced theft of electricity, energy savings,
and operational efficiencies. This means that over the long term the Smart Metering Program will reduce customer rates
below what they would otherwise be in the absence of BC Hydro’s investment in the program.

If the link above does not work anymore, click this link.

===========================

Clean Energy Act
SMART METERS AND SMART GRID REGULATION
Note: Check the Cumulative Regulation Bulletin 2014
for any non-consolidated amendments to this regulation that may be in effect.
[includes amendments up to B.C. Reg. 405/2012, December 27, 2012]

Installation of smart meters and related equipment
3 (1) Subject to subsection (3), by the end of the 2012 calendar year, the authority must install and put into operation

(a) a smart meter for each eligible premises, and
(b) all of the following related equipment:
(i) communications infrastructure for transmitting information among smart meters and the computer hardware and software systems described in subparagraph (ii);
(ii) secure computer hardware and software systems that enable the authority to do all of the following:
(A) monitor, control and configure smart meters and the communications infrastructure referred to in subparagraph (i);
(B) store, validate, analyze and use the information measured by and received from smart meters;
(C) provide, through the internet, to a person who receives electricity from the authority secure access to information about the person's electricity consumption and generation, if any, measured by a smart meter;
(D) establish a secure telecommunications link between in-home feedback devices and smart meters that are compatible with each other;
(E) bill customers in accordance with rates that encourage the shift of the use of electricity from periods of higher demand to periods of lower demand;
(F) integrate the systems with the authority's other business systems.
(2) The communications infrastructure referred to in subsection (1) (b) (i) must include a telecommunications network that is capable of delivering two-way, digital, and secure communication.
(3) If it is impracticable because of distance, electromagnetic interference, physical obstruction or other similar cause for the authority to establish a telecommunications link between the smart meter at an eligible premises and the computer hardware and software system referred to in subsection (1) (b) (ii), the authority is not required to install or put into operation the communications infrastructure referred to in subsection (1) (b) (i) for the purpose of establishing that telecommunications link.
(4) The authority must integrate the operation of smart meters and related equipment with the authority's other operations.
Smart grid
4 (1) The program required under section 17 (4) of the Act must be established by the end of the 2015 calendar year and include the following components:

(a) the establishment and operation of a connectivity model and the installation and operation of
(i) at least 9 000 but no more than 35 000 system devices, and
(ii) computer hardware and software systems
to enable the authority to
(iii) perform electricity balance analyses for the electric distribution system, and
(iv) estimate the amount of electricity supplied from a portion of the electric distribution system to unmetered loads that are not known to the authority and to estimate the location of those loads;
(b) the acquisition of investigation devices and computer software to enable the authority to identify the location of the unmetered loads referred to in paragraph (a) (iv);
(c) the establishment and operation of telecommunications networks that
(i) have sufficient speed and bandwidth, and
(ii) enable two-way, digital, and secure communication among system devices, automation-enabled devices and the systems and equipment used by the authority for monitoring and controlling its electric system
to facilitate
(iii) the operation of the authority's electric system,
(iv) the integration, on a large scale, of distributed generation into the electric distribution system, and
(v) the provision of electricity service that allows for the large-scale use of electric vehicles by its customers.
(2) The authority must integrate the operation of the smart grid with the authority's other operations.

==============================

BRITISH COLUMBIA HYDRO AND POWER AUTHORITY
APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF CHARGES RELATED TO THE METER CHOICES PROGRAM DECISION
April 25, 2014

The existing version reads as follows:

Commission Determination
The Panel has considered circumstances where BC Hydro reads a meter less frequently than bimonthly but bills the
customer a monthly charge to recover the costs of bi-monthly meter reading and determines that making such a
charge is unjust and unreasonable. Accordingly, in the event that a Program customer’s meter is read less
frequently than bi-monthly the portion of the Monthly Charge attributable to bi-monthly meter reading costs, as
approved elsewhere in this decision, must not be charged. The Panel directs BC Hydro to develop a solution to
ensure these charges are just and reasonable, and only reflect meter reading costs for the frequency of actual
meter readings. In developing its solution BC Hydro should also consider how, if subsequent to the date that the
interim rates came into effect, a meter has been read less frequently than monthly, it will apply the retroactive
adjustment in a just and reasonable manner. This proposed solution must be filed for review with the
Commission on or before June 30, 2014.

It should read:
Commission Determination
The Panel has considered circumstances where BC Hydro reads a meter less frequently than bimonthly but bills the
customer a monthly charge to recover the costs of bi-monthly meter reading and determines that making such a
charge is unjust and unreasonable. Accordingly, in the event that a Program customer’s meter is read less
frequently than bi-monthly the portion of the Monthly Charge attributable to bi-monthly meter reading costs, as
approved elsewhere in this decision, must not be charged. The Panel directs BC Hydro to develop a solution to
ensure these charges are just and reasonable, and only reflect meter reading costs for the frequency of actual
meter readings. In developing its solution BC Hydro should also consider how, if subsequent to the date that the
interim rates came into effect, a meter has been read less frequently than bi-monthly, it will apply the
retroactive adjustment in a just and reasonable manner. This proposed solution must be filed for review with
the Commission on or before June 30, 2014.

Subsequent means after

If the link above doesn't work try this link or this link.

Just the Appendixes (taken from this document cause they were in the middle lost and hard to find)

================================

Bulletins

Cumulative B.C. Regulations Bulletin October 7, 2014
Clean Energy Act
416/2014 Amending B.C. Reg. 320/2010 — Standing Offer Program Regulation 119/2014 June 23, 2014
http://www.qp.gov.bc.ca/statreg/bulletin/bull2014/cumulati.htm

B.C. Regulations Bulletin No. 23, June 24, 2014
Clean Energy Act
416/2014 Amending B.C. Reg. 320/2010 — Standing Offer Program Regulation 119/2014 June 23, 2014
http://www.qp.gov.bc.ca/statreg/bulletin/bull2014/bull23.htm

=================================

B.C. Reg. 203/2013
O.C. 391/2013 Deposited September 25, 2013
Utilities Commission Act
DIRECTION NO. 4 TO THE BRITISH COLUMBIA UTILITIES COMMISSION
Note: Check the Cumulative Regulation Bulletin 2014
for any non-consolidated amendments to this regulation that may be in effect.

Rates
3 (1) In setting rates under the Act for the authority, the commission must ensure that the rates allow the authority to collect sufficient revenue in each fiscal year to enable it to recover the following costs from the following customers:

(a) program costs, investigation costs and infrastructure costs from
(i) applicable customers at applicable premises where a legacy meter or radio-off meter is installed, to the extent that the authority requests recovery of any of those costs from these customers, and
(ii) all customers, to the extent that any of those costs are not recovered under subparagraph (i);
(b) from all customers, costs incurred with respect to the installation and operation of, and services related to, smart meters;
(c) failed installation costs from customers at a premises where a failed installation occurred.
(2) The commission must allow the authority to establish a regulatory account for the recovery of costs referred to in subsection (1) (a) (ii) and (1) (b) for the period from January 1, 2013, to March 31, 2014.
(3) Within 30 days of the date this direction comes into force, the commission must issue an order so that the Electric Tariff of the authority is amended by adding the provisions set out in the Appendix to this direction.
(4) The commission must not do anything to amend the provisions added to the Electric Tariff under subsection (3), except on application by the authority.

Each of those lines are tentatively priced around $50 million, but that’s before right-of-ways and property easements and assessments have been taken into account, which could double the price.

“BC Hydro has some autonomy. It’s not in their long-term capital plan and they have to go through the process of getting it in their plan. Even in the best case scenario, I doubt you’ll see it resolved next year, but hopefully within the next five years.”

The Westbank First Nation (WFN) has released a statement asking residents to conserve water until power can be restored.

"Long-term power outages such as this can be concerning for water distribution and treatment processes, as pump houses often have only short-term back-up generators in place," says Dawn McGrath, WFN Superintendent of Public Works.

"While it is not a concern yet, we need to reduce consumption, in order to not overload the system, until power is restored."

BC Hydro is now estimating power may be restored at approximately 1 a.m.

*Note* This is only a snippet below, please click both links for entire content

BC Hydro Missed Read Credit Adjustment

There are three primary reasons why BC Hydro would not obtain a scheduled meter reading:

1. BC Hydro dispatched a FMA to the customer’s premises but the FMA is not able to safely read the meter because of an access issue on the customer’s property.
Examples include safety issues such as dogs or unplowed driveways, and physical issues such as locked gates or overgrown landscaping.
2. BC Hydro did not dispatch a FMA to the premises due to a lack of resources.
3. BC Hydro dispatched a FMA to the customer’s premises but the FMA is not able to safely obtain a meter reading for reasons outside of the control of either BC Hydro or the customer, reflecting a force majeure event such as inclement weather or, upon reaching the site, finding that the meter had failed.

page 2 of bc_hydro_notice_of_regulatory_filing_bch_meter_choices_program.pdf

===========

A missed read credit adjustment will not be issued in non-read months for the approximately 26 per cent of Meter Choices Program customers on EPP (Equal payment plan).

page 3  of bc_hydro_notice_of_regulatory_filing_bch_meter_choices_program.pdf

============

Adjustment Processing
BC Hydro will modify its billing system such that an eligible estimated read for a Meter  Choices Program customer will issue a credit adjustment for the missed read, based on  the assignment of the “Can’t Read Code” as described above.

For circumstances where BC Hydro did not obtain a manual meter reading for a bi-monthly period for a Meter Choices Program customer prior to re-training the FMAs (Field Metering Analysts) and implementing the billing system change, it will not be practicable to discern whether the missed read was due to case 1, 2, or 3, above. Accordingly, BC Hydro will apply the credit to Meter Choices program customers for all circumstances where BC Hydro did not obtain a manual meter reading for a bi-monthly period between the effective date of the Meter Choices Program charges and the implementation of the training and billing system change (targeted for August 8, 2014).  As clarified above, this will exclude the EPP (equal payment plan) non-read month estimated reading and monthly read frequency accounts that do not have two consecutive missed reads.

As of June 10, 2014, BC Hydro has determined that approximately, 12,500 missed readings are to be credited. Retroactive adjustments will start to apply to Meter Choices  Program customers’ bills after August 8, 2014 and will include interest at BC Hydro’s annual weighted average cost of debt for its most recent fiscal year.

page 4 of bc_hydro_notice_of_regulatory_filing_bch_meter_choices_program.pdf

====================

For circumstances where BC Hydro did not obtain a manual meter reading for a bi-monthly period for a Meter Choices Program customer prior to re-training the FMAs and implementing the billing system change, it will not be practicable to discern whether the missed read was due to case 1, 2, or 3, above. Accordingly, BC Hydro will apply the Application for Approval of Charges Related to Meter Choices Program (Application) Compliance with BCUC Order No. G-59-14, Decision Section 4.2.2 Failure to Read a Meter credit to Meter Choices program customers for all circumstances where BC Hydro did not obtain a manual meter reading for a bi-monthly period between the effective date of the Meter Choices Program charges and the implementation of the training and billing system change (targeted for August 8, 2014). As clarified above, this will exclude the EPP non-read month estimated reading and monthly read frequency accounts that do not have two consecutive missed reads.

As of June 10, 2014, BC Hydro has determined that approximately, 12,500 missed readings are to be credited. Retroactive adjustments will start to apply to Meter Choices Program customers’ bills after August 8, 2014 and will include interest at BC Hydro’s annual weighted average cost of debt for its most recent fiscal year.

page 4 -5 of bc_hydro_notice_of_regulatory_filing_bch_meter_choices_program.pdf

==================

Adjustment Amount
Table 3.7 of the Order No. G-59-14 Decision identifies the approved meter reading costs included in the Meter Choices Program monthly charges, which are summarized as follows:

Legacy Meters $27.90 costing BC Hydro $837,000 = 30,000 meters
Radio-off Meters $30.08 costing BC Hydro $902,400 = 30,000 meters

page 4 of bc_hydro_notice_of_regulatory_filing_bch_meter_choices_program.pdf

=======================

It should read:

Commission Determination
The Panel has considered circumstances where BC Hydro reads a meter less frequently than bimonthly but bills the
customer a monthly charge to recover the costs of bi-monthly meter reading and determines that making such a charge is unjust and unreasonable. Accordingly, in the event that a Program customer’s meter is read less frequently than bi-monthly the portion of the Monthly Charge attributable to bi-monthly meter reading costs, as approved elsewhere in this decision, must not be charged. The Panel directs BC Hydro to develop a solution to ensure these charges are just and reasonable, and only reflect meter reading costs for the frequency of actual meter readings. In developing its solution BC Hydro should also consider how, if subsequent to the date that the interim rates came into effect, a meter has been read less frequently than bi-monthly, it will apply the retroactive adjustment in a just and reasonable manner. This proposed solution must be filed for review with the Commission on or before June 30, 2014.

page 5 of doc_41269_04-25-2014_bch_meter choices_decision_g-59-14_web.pdf

==================

BC Hydro states that deployment of radio-off meters is expected to be substantially completed by April 2014, and proposed that the charges for having a radio-off meter installed become effective April 1, 2014 (Exhibit B-1, p. 2-8).

page 11 of doc_41269_04-25-2014_bch_meter choices_decision_g-59-14_web.pdf

==================

In addition, Order G-167-13 directed that:
• The proposed charges to be applied to customers that have a legacy meter installed at their premises are set on an interim and refundable basis, effective December 2, 2013.
• The proposed charges to be applied to customers that have a radio-off meter installed at this premises are set at an interim and refundable basis, effective April 1, 2014.

page 12 of the .pdf doc_41269_04-25-2014_bch_meter choices_decision_g-59-14_web.pdf

Others who are on automatic billing will simply be robbed. We need to make sure everyone gets this message because if we do not Hydro will get away with it. They are playing us for suckers and it is just not right.

Source:  This came by email, so there is no link.

 BC Hydro's Legacy Meter Fee

*Note* Below are just snippets, click link above for entire content

According to BC Hydro, travel is a significant portion of the meter reading cost in both rural and urban areas because meters requiring manual reads are dispersed throughout the service territory. (found on page 35)

3.6.3 Travel Costs
Travel costs incurred by an FMA when reading meters in remote locations include airfare, ferries, lodging and meals. BC Hydro submits that currently these costs are about $120,000 per year and a decrease to $100,000 per year is assumed. It states that these costs “are not expected to change significantly from their current level as the need for manual meter reads decreases over time, since the underlying geographic region is not expected to change materially.” BC Hydro has allocated these costs on a weighted basis to both non-WAN customers and customers choosing to participate in the Program. Accordingly, travel costs are estimated at between $0.64 per read (based on 5,000 Meter Choices customers) to about $0.41 per read (based on 20,000 Meter Choices customers). (Exhibit B-1, p. 3-21) (found on page 34)

==============

Commission Determination's

Section 4.2.2 (page 55)

The Panel has considered circumstances where BC Hydro reads a meter less frequently than bimonthly but bills the customer a monthly charge to recover the costs of bi-monthly meter reading and determines that making such a charge is unjust and unreasonable. Accordingly, in the event that a Program customer’s meter is read less frequently than bi-monthly the portion of the Monthly Charge attributable to bi-monthly meter reading costs, as approved elsewhere in this decision, must not be charged. The Panel directs BC Hydro to develop a solution to ensure these charges are just and reasonable, and only reflect meter reading costs for the frequency of actual meter readings. In developing its solution BC Hydro should also consider how, if subsequent to the date that the interim rates came into effect, a meter has been read less frequently than monthly, it will apply the retroactive adjustment in a just and reasonable manner. This proposed solution must be filed for review with the Commission on or before June 30, 2014.

======================

Monthly Charges (page 55)

Radio-off Meter Customers $20.00
Legacy Meter Customers $32.40

=======================

The Panel accepts that the average cost of attending a customer’s premises and the associated call centre cost are the appropriate amounts to be applied in the failed installation charge.
Accordingly, the Panel finds the failed installation charge of $65.00 ($10.00 plus $55.00) to be just and reasonable and approves the charge in that amount as proposed by BC Hydro.

======================

Therefore, the Commission Panel finds BC Hydro’s estimate of the savings in response to the Wong IR to be reasonable and agrees that the Monthly Charge applicable to Program legacy meter customers should reflect a credit of $1.03. The Panel directs BC Hydro to establish a Monthly Charge for the Program legacy meter customers of $32.40 ($5.25 capital component and $28.18 operating component reduced by $1.03 to account for the deferred capital cost saving).

======================

To be clear, a Program radio-off meter customer who moves to a new premises and requests a radio-off meter at the new premises will be charged $55 as an exit charge related to the previous premises and $77.60 as an initial charge at the new premises.
The Panel notes that BC Hydro did not request recovery of costs incurred to replace a legacy meter with a smart meter at the old premises when a Program legacy meter customer moves and remains enrolled in the Program.

======================

The Panel is not persuaded that the assumed cost savings and proposed benefits of self-reading are sufficient to outweigh stated costs and the concerns expressed by BC Hydro. Accordingly, the Panel will not approve a self-read program for Program customers. On the other hand, there may be circumstances where a discrete group of customers, perhaps in a semi isolated location collectively decide to maintain legacy meters and offer to self-read. In a case like this BC Hydro currently accommodates a very small amount of self-reading. In the event that BC Hydro continues this practice with regard to Program customers, which BC Hydro is not required to do, the outcome of the review of the filing ordered in Section 4.2.2 of this Decision would apply.

======================

CEC suggests establishing rates for 2014 based on BC Hydro’s proposed prediction of 10,000 customers for the 2014 period, and setting pre-established higher annual rates in the order of $11 or $12 for each of the next two years for Program legacy meter customers and $4.50 to $5.00 for Program radio-off meter customers and recommends that the Commission do so to provide a smooth transition to the most likely cost of the Program.

========================

The legacy meter conditions provide that the customer will be able to retain a legacy meter until the Measurement Canada meter seal expires or the meter ceases to function properly, whichever happens first. If the meter seal expires, or the meter should cease to function properly, BC Hydro will exchange this meter with a replacement legacy meter as long as BC Hydro has a suitable meter in its inventory.

My IQ is over 50, but I could never figure out how a smart meter could tell  me how to conserve my electrical cravings.

A huge rate increase would be a motivator, but still, the meter was to show me how to cut my usage beyond the 2,700 plus watts of lighting I've already removed and seen little downward trend on my bills.

But now I know, and I will share it with the rest of my fellow electrical connections.

The answer was made and printed in the Emirates 24/7 News March 30 in an interview with Dr. Yousef Ebrahim Al Akraf, the executive vice-president, business support and human resources with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa).
The article stated: "He added that with the smart meters and smart applications, customers would soon be able to monitor their energy consumption."

One of the initiatives will be the sharing of the stats with neighbours, which will encourage people to conserve energy.

"We will be sending customers' statistics of energy consumption by their neighbours. This will inform them of energy consumption and if their use is high to encourage them to rationalize consumption to reduce their monthly bills."

This statement was taken from the article: "Why is your Dewa bill so high? Dubai's smart meters now help you find out."
So, folks, we now can have a friendly competition in the neighbourhood.

Who can afford the highest consumption or who is the tightest on the block? Interesting.

Sure glad this will pass the privacy acts. Was it part of the last smart meter seminar in Bangkok last May?

I wonder how many more little secrets we will slowly be exposed to, or the sneak attack of the same.

I wonder when governments will tell us what we should really know about what these meters will tell all about our privacy?

R.J. Brown,
West Kelowna

48,240 Elected to take a smart meter 71%
6,270 Elected to retain the old legacy meter 9%
450 Elected to take a radio-off meter 1%
13,110 Did not contact BC Hydro 19%
source: BC Hydro

A majority of BC Hydro customers who initially said they weren't on board with the switch to so-called smart meters have capitulated in the face of additional monthly fees.

BC Hydro submitted the breakdown of what former smart meter holdouts have agreed to in its recent submission to the B.C. Utilities Commission. The commission is reviewing the fees BC Hydro has proposed to charge customers who insist on using what it calls "legacy meters" under the Meter Choices Program.

Thousands of B.C. residents objected to the mandatory installation of the wireless smart meters when the program was announced, citing concerns about health and privacy.

BC Hydro said Monday that of 68,070 customers who had the option of making a choice to refuse a smart meter since the summer, 48,240 customers elected to switch to the new meters. The utility company says 6,270 customers insisted on keeping the old meters; 450 opted for smart meters with the radio-transmission capability disabled; and 13,110 did not contact BC Hydro and will keep the old meters by default.

The numbers show that more than 70 per cent of the 68,000 customers who did not have a smart meter last summer and who registered dissent with BC Hydro opted, in the end, to take a smart meter.

Just under 10 per cent of the group were firm in their decision to keep their old meters, and roughly 20 per cent did not get back in touch with BC Hydro, and will also keep their old meters by default.

At the beginning of December, BC Hydro started charging a $35 monthly surcharge from each of those 19,380 customers, or 30 per cent of the holdouts. BC Hydro says those keeping the old meters represent about one per cent of all BC Hydro customers.

Another 450 customers opted for a "radio-off" smart meter, which will cost them a $100 installation fee and a $20 monthly surcharge that goes into effect in April.

BC Hydro said it needs to charge additional fees to customers who want to use the old meters or who will accept a new meter but only with its radio-transmission capabilities turned off. The fees are meant to cover the additional cost of collecting electricity use data manually from meters that won't be transmitting the data wirelessly.

BC Hydro submits smart meter options enrollment numbers to BCUC

BC Hydro submitted to the BC Utilities Commission today the enrollment figures for the Meter Choices Program.

The Commission is in the process of independently reviewing fees for the choices to ensure BC Hydro is only recovering the additional cost of providing and servicing the radio-off and analog options.

The Meter Choices fees were approved on an interim basis by the Commission in October. If the final fees differ from the interim rate, BC Hydro will adjust customers' bills accordingly.

About 68,000 customers had the option of making a choice as part of the Meter Choices Program. Of these customers:

48,240 customers elected to take a smart meter;
6,270 customers elected to retain the old legacy meter; and
450 customers elected to take a radio-off meter.
The remaining 13,110 customers did not contact BC Hydro and will retain the old legacy meter by default.
In total, about 19,380 customers will now have a monthly legacy meter fee – this represents one per cent of the total number of BC Hydro customers. Those fees were effective Dec. 2, 2013. Customers who requested a radio-off meter will see the fees applied April 1, 2014.

BC Hydro expects the enrollment numbers to evolve over the coming months as the utility continues to confirm customers' choices.

Adding another 48,240 smart meters to the system will bring the number of BC Hydro customers benefitting from the modernized grid to 99 per cent.

Modernizing the electricity grid plays a crucial role in BC Hydro’s plan to provide a secure and reliable power system for customers all over the province. Once complete, a modernized grid will help BC Hydro improve its management of the electricity system, lower costs, reduce theft, encourage conservation and automatically detect outages.

Examples of benefits already being provided by the modernized grid include:

95 per cent of customers with smart meters have been transitioned to automated billing.
90 per cent of customers with smart meters can view their detailed energy use through their secure online MyHydro account – helping them to save energy and money.
2,100 pre-existing unsafe meter socket conditions on customers’ homes were repaired by a certified electrician at no cost to the homeowner.
Last summer, the Province of B.C. announced three choices for residential customers who still did not have a smart meter installed:

a standard smart meter at no cost;
a radio-off meter for a $100 set-up fee and $20 monthly fee; and
keeping an old meter for a $35 monthly fee as long as stocks last.

The fees to retain an old meter or choose a radio-off meter ensure the vast majority of customers who have accepted a smart meter are not subsidizing the choices of a very small number of customers.

Discrimination in rates
59 (1) A public utility must not make, demand or receive

(a) an unjust, unreasonable, unduly discriminatory or unduly preferential rate for a service provided by it in British Columbia, or
(b) a rate that otherwise contravenes this Act, the regulations, orders of the commission or any other law.
(2) A public utility must not
(a) as to rate or service, subject any person or locality, or a particular description of traffic, to an undue prejudice or disadvantage, or
(b) extend to any person a form of agreement, a rule or a facility or privilege, unless the agreement, rule, facility or privilege is regularly and uniformly extended to all persons under substantially similar circumstances and conditions for service of the same description.
(3) The commission may, by regulation, declare the circumstances and conditions that are substantially similar for the purpose of subsection (2) (b).
(4) It is a question of fact, of which the commission is the sole judge,
(a) whether a rate is unjust or unreasonable,
(b) whether, in any case, there is undue discrimination, preference, prejudice or disadvantage in respect of a rate or service, or
(c) whether a service is offered or provided under substantially similar circumstances and conditions.
(5) In this section, a rate is "unjust" or "unreasonable" if the rate is
(a) more than a fair and reasonable charge for service of the nature and quality provided by the utility,
(b) insufficient to yield a fair and reasonable compensation for the service provided by the utility, or a fair and reasonable return on the appraised value of its property, or
(c) unjust and unreasonable for any other reason.

Setting of rates
60 (1) In setting a rate under this Act

(a) the commission must consider all matters that it considers proper and relevant affecting the rate,
(b) the commission must have due regard to the setting of a rate that
(i) is not unjust or unreasonable within the meaning of section 59,
(ii) provides to the public utility for which the rate is set a fair and reasonable return on any expenditure made by it to reduce energy demands, and
(iii) encourages public utilities to increase efficiency, reduce costs and enhance performance,
(b.1) the commission may use any mechanism, formula or other method of setting the rate that it considers advisable, and may order that the rate derived from such a mechanism, formula or other method is to remain in effect for a specified period, and
(c) if the public utility provides more than one class of service, the commission must
(i) segregate the various kinds of service into distinct classes of service,
(ii) in setting a rate to be charged for the particular service provided, consider each distinct class of service as a self contained unit, and
(iii) set a rate for each unit that it considers to be just and reasonable for that unit, without regard to the rates set for any other unit.
(2) In setting a rate under this Act, the commission may take into account a distinct or special area served by a public utility with a view to ensuring, so far as the commission considers it advisable, that the rate applicable in each area is adequate to yield a fair and reasonable return on the appraised value of the plant or system of the public utility used, or prudently and reasonably acquired, for the purpose of providing the service in that special area.
(3) If the commission takes a special area into account under subsection (2), it must have regard to the special considerations applicable to an area that is sparsely settled or has other distinctive characteristics.
(4) For this section, the commission must exclude from the appraised value of the property of the public utility any franchise, licence, permit or concession obtained or held by the utility from a municipal or other public authority beyond the money, if any, paid to the municipality or public authority as consideration for that franchise, licence, permit or concession, together with necessary and reasonable expenses in procuring the franchise, licence, permit or concession.

http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_96473_01#section59

August 26, 2013 Highlights of the Regional District of Central Okanagan Regular Board Meeting

There was nothing mentioned in the Highlights about Item 5.1 Fortis BC Regarding Okanagan Energy Diet Update

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August 26, 2013 audio of entire RDCO Board meeting - .mp3 (11.9 MB)

August 26, 2013 audio of RDCO Board meeting only about Item 5.1 Fortis BC Regarding Okanagan Energy Diet Update - .wma (5.92 MB)

August 26, 2013 Regional District of Central Okanagan Regular Board Meeting Agenda

Item 5.1 Fortis BC Regarding Okanagan Energy Diet Update

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August 26, 2013 audio of entire RDCO Board meeting - .mp3 (11.9 MB)

August 26, 2013 audio of RDCO Board meeting only about Item 5.1 Fortis BC Regarding Okanagan Energy Diet Update - .wma (5.92 MB)

August 26, 2013 Regional District of Central Okanagan Regular Board Meeting Minutes

5. DELEGATION

5.1 Fortis BC re: Okanagan Energy Diet Update
Carol Suhan, FortisBC, provided an overview of Fortis BC's Okanagan Energy Diet project.
• Fortis BC serves City of Kelowna and Electoral Area East
• Talks are in the works with BC Hydro regarding the project for other areas within the region.
• 75% energy used in homes is used for space and hot water heating. To save energy we need to address this issue.
• The program started in Rossland, BC which had a high average energy usage and worked to overcome barriers in that region. 1,100 single family homes were eligible for the program. 22% participated. 80% of homes made significant improvements to their homes.
• The program was launched in the Kootenay's earlier this year. It has been an unqualified success as well.
• Now looking at communities in the Okanagan.
• Home assessments normally cost $350... program incentive is $60. Bonus structure being tested. Financing available through Fortis BC.
• Program is being launched in September. Upgrades to be completed by March 31, 2014.
• Looking for morale support - it is a good project. Spread the word.
• Local governments, if contributing to the program, can count the energy savings towards their emission reduction.
It was noted that the Regional District, unlike municipalities, is unable to provide financial support to the program but supports the program in principle.

STACK/HANSON
THAT the presentation by Fortis BC on the Okanagan Energy Diet project be received;
AND FURTHER THAT the Regional Board in principle supports the program.

CARRIED

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August 26, 2013 audio of entire RDCO Board meeting - .mp3 (11.9 MB)

August 26, 2013 audio of RDCO Board meeting only about Item 5.1 Fortis BC Regarding Okanagan Energy Diet Update - .wma (5.92 MB)

PRESS RELEASE AND MEDIA ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NOVEMBER 23, 2011

THOUSANDS OF BRITISH COLUMBIANS SAY "NO" TO SMART METERS

The Liberal Government and BC Hydro state that only a small number of people are concerned about the Wireless Smart Meters being forced upon them without consent. This is not accurate. Within one week, thousands of signatures have been gathered on a Petition organized by Citizens for Safe Technology Society demanding a moratorium and full independent review of BC Hydro's Wireless Smart Meter program.

To date, over 13,000 Petitioners are refusing the forced installation of Wireless Smart Meters, or demanding these same meters be removed for reasons of health, cost, privacy, security and safety. The Petition (both online and hard copies) will be presented to the Legislature on November 24, 2011, by John Horgan, NDP Opposition, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources critic, MLA for Juan de Fuca.

How long will the Liberal Government and BC Hydro show such callous disregard for democracy and human rights? British Columbians refuse to accept the Government decree that they no longer have the right to choose to protect their health or the health of their families in their own homes. Wireless Smart Meters emit radiofrequency electromagnetic fields which were classified by the World Health Organization as possible to cause human cancer on May 31, 2011. Further, exposure to wireless emissions can exacerbete existing health conditions, and cause electrohypersensitivity, a physical health condition which can rob young and old of health and quality of life. The only remedy for this environmentally triggered health condition is to avoid wireless exposures wherever possible, and most importantly, within one's own home.

Further, British Columbians are determined to protect their privacy and security by refusing to allow devices that disclose personal electricity use and behaviour patterns, which are also vulnerable to unauthorized intrusion. This is no longer a simple electricity meter, but a complex multiple channel radiofrequency transmitter surveillance device.

Reports are now being received of sudden onset ill health triggered by exposure to Wireless Smart Meters, most commonly headaches, insomnia, heart irregularities, dizziness and nausea. Further, we are aware of two situations where the Wireless Smart Meters have been removed and analogue meters replaced by BC Hydro due to residents' complaints of ill health.

Questions need to be asked about the actions of the Liberal Government and BC Hydro, our sole provider of electricity, which amount to intimidation in their attempts to force customers to forego their democratic and human rights to health, privacy, security and safety.

Citizens can continue to vote for a Wireless Smart Meter program moratorium at www.citizensforsafetechnology.org.

CST and the Coalition to Stop Smart Meters in BC, www.stopsmartmetersbc.ca are now working with legal counsel formulating legal and human rights solutions.

Media contact: Una St.Clair, una "at" citizensforsafetechnology.org

Smart Meter Removed due to Ill Health

MEDIA ADVISORY - NOTICE OF PRESS CONFERENCE

Invitation for Media and Members of the Public to Attend:

On Thursday, November 24, 2011, at 1:00 p.m., a press conference will be held on the Front Legislative Steps, Victoria, B.C. by the Coalition to Stop Smart Meters and Citizens for Safe Technology Society.

Announcements will be made regarding the total number of signatures received on Petition, and legal and human rights solutions currently being formulated.

Media contacts:
Sharon Noble, director "at" stopsmartmetersbc.ca
Una St.Clair, una "at" citizensforsafetechnology.org

© 2011 Citizens for Safe Technology Society
This email was sent by Citizens for Safe Technology Society, Brookswood, Langley, BC V2Z 1X5

Questionable bookkeeping methods by BC Hydro have put ratepayers on the hook for $2.2 billion in public debts -- with no apparent plan in place to recover the money, Auditor General John Doyle warned in an audit report on Wednesday. That amount, $2.2 billion, is equivalent to a one-year 60 per cent rate hike. Doyle said that if Hydro stays with the practice of deferring large debts rather than paying them back each year, the bill will jump to $5 billion by 2017

BC HYDRO SMART METERING PROGRAM - During Public Comment Mr. Hans Karow of Lake Country expressed concerns about the BC Hydro Smart Meter program, specifically about potential health hazards and residents’ lack of opportunity to provide input. Mr. Karow handed out some information for Council and listed 7 communities in BC that have placed moratoriums on the installation of the smart meters. Gary Murphy, Chief Project Officer from BC Hydro, made a presentation to Council outlining the program which will deploy automated data collection systems and upgrade old meters to new smart meters. The most recent BC Hydro generating facility was completed in 1984 and the system of electro-mechanical meters hasn’t been upgraded in 50 years. The demand on electricity in BC will increase by 40% over the next 20 years and BC Hydro says smart meters will help customers better manage their energy use and reduce GHG emissions. Council had some tough questions for Mr. Murphy about the implied health hazards, the potential of smart meters leading to time-of-use billing and the need for public input. Council requested that BC Hydro provide some more information to the District from trusted reliable sources that can be made available for residents. Information will be posted on our website as soon as it’s available. What is your opinion on the smart meters? Join the conversation on Facebook!

Facebook Stop Smart Meters in BC

More Facebook Stop Smart Meters in BC found on Google

FortisBC Inc. announced Friday that it will begin rebalancing electricity rates among customer groups, starting May 1.

The rebalancing will occur in compliance with the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) order on the utility’s cost of service analysis and rate design application, which underwent an extensive regulatory and public review process.

Photo: Grant Scott

FortisBC's business rates will drop 5.5% on May 1

Rebalancing will ensure that each customer group pays their share of the costs required to serve them, but does not generate any extra revenue for FortisBC.

What it means is higher rates for homeowners and less for business.

FortisBC's residential, lighting, and wholesale customer rates will increase by 2.5 per cent. For the average homeowner using 1,000 kWh per month, this will mean an increase of about $2.50 monthly.

Meanwhile, business and large industrial customers receive a 5.5 per cent reduction and there is a 3.2 per cent reduction for industrial transmission customers.

There will be no change for irrigation customers.

“All utilities complete a cost of service analysis periodically, for review and approval by their regulator, to ensure rates are fair and equitable between customer groups. This makes sure no one type of customer is
subsidizing another,” says Tom Loski, vice president, customer service, FortisBC.

“The resulting rate adjustments for FortisBC customers will be phased in over several years to limit any rebalancing rate increases to no more than 2.5 per cent per year and allow customers to gradually adjust to the changes.”

Under the Utilities Commission Act, the BCUC has the authority to require FortisBC to apply certain methods and formulas to determine the cost of providing service to each rate class, and to set rates on
that basis.

BC Hydro looking to spend $6 billion on improvements
 
A 50 per cent increase in your monthly Hydro bill over five years likely won't happen.

BC's newly minted Energy Minister Rich Coleman says he's met with Hydro reps and feels there are ways to limit the rate increase. "Having looked at how they diminish some of their accounts, how they measure their water supply and their long-term liability, and those types of things. We can look at this thing a bit differently in a business case and make it work so that the rate impact is not as significant as some people are concerned about. And I think that's got to be the goal."

BC Hydro says we need to spend $6 billion dollars over three years to meet increasing power demand and upgrade facilities, like $800 million in improvements to the 80-year-old Ruskin Dam near Mission, and the $200 million Vancouver City Centre Transmission Project.

If Hydro's current application were to be approved by the BC Utilities Commission, that's an extra $7 dollars a month on your Hydro bill for the next three years.

VICTORIA – B.C. won’t make the same mistakes as Ontario when it introduces “smart meters” for electricity consumers over the next two years, Energy Minister Bill Bennett says.

Interactive power meters that continuously tell each customer how much power is being consumed are supposed to help them save money. The B.C. government has ordered BC Hydro to install them across the province by 2012.

But after millions of the new meters were installed in Ontario, more than 80 per cent of customers there are paying more for electricity under a new time-of-use rate structure that raises rates for peak uses like supper-time and offers cheap rates for off-peak times.

NDP energy critic John Horgan seized on that news this week and predicted a “disaster” for B.C. if it presses ahead with smart meters. The estimated $1 billion cost of B.C.’s new meters would be better spent on energy retrofits such as efficient heating and insulation, Horgan said.

Bennett said in an interview Wednesday that B.C.’s plan isn’t based on using higher rates to get people to run dishwashers or clothes dryers at night.

“We’re well aware of what’s going on in Ontario, and the business case for our smart meter program is not based on time-of-use rates,” Bennett said. “We don’t even have time-of-use rates yet in British Columbia, and when we do it’s unlikely that they’ll be mandatory. They’ll probably be voluntary.”

People could then choose to take advantage of off-peak power rates or stick with the existing rate structure, which charges a higher rate after a certain monthly consumption has been reached. That rate structure is designed to encourage energy-saving home improvements.

Smart meters have other advantages, Bennett said. They eliminate the need for manual meter readings, and customers will no longer have to call in to report power outages.

Not only will BC Hydro be able to see immediately where the power has gone out, the “smart grid” their engineers envision will eventually be “self-healing,” rerouting power to blackout areas until line repairs can be made.

Smart meters can also keep track of power generated by a backyard windmill or solar panels on the roof, deducting the amount generated from the monthly bill.

Bennett said Ontario has chosen to pay heavily subsidized rates for wind power, pushing up the province’s already high electricity rates.

He said B.C. is developing its own rate subsidy program for emerging technologies such as bioenergy and tidal power, not proven sources such as wind or solar.

Electricity prices in Ontario are “going up like a rocket,” fuelled in part by the Ontario government’s Green Energy Act, says a longtime observer of the province’s energy scene. “You are going to get screwed, and it’s going to be painful,” said Tom Adams, a Toronto-based consultant and a former executive director of Energy Probe.
Photograph by: Tim Fraser, Calgary Herald.

Electricity prices in Ontario are "going up like a rocket," fuelled in part by the Ontario government's Green Energy Act, says a longtime observer of the province's energy scene.

"You are going to get screwed, and it's going to be painful," said Tom Adams, a Toronto-based consultant and a former executive director of Energy Probe.

"We're talking about hundreds of dollars a year out of your pocketbook that didn't need to happen. I'm livid about it. People should be outraged."

Hydro Ottawa customers have already been hit with a double-digit increase this year, thanks to rate hikes approved May 1 by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) and the imposition of the harmonized sales tax July 1.

A typical consumer in Ottawa who uses 800 kilowatt hours of electricity now pays $116.82 a month, including tax, according to the OEB.

That's 17.7 per cent more than the $99.35 a month the same residential customer was paying in April. Half the increase is due to higher rates and half because of the HST.

Adams warned that Ontarians should expect to pay at least $110 more a year by the end of 2011 for electricity. That translates into an additional nine-per-cent increase.

After that, rates will move steadily up for four or five years, he predicted.

The OEB has already received several applications for more hefty rate increases.

Hydro One, which operates most of the province's long-distance transmission lines, has asked for a hike of 15.7 per cent in 2011 and 9.8 per cent in 2012. If approved, the increases would apply to the transmission portion of electricity bills.

Ontario Power Generation, which produces about 70 per cent of Ontario's power, has asked for a 6.2-per-cent price increase effective next March. It scaled that back from 9.6 per cent after pressure from Energy Minister Brad Duguid.

Traditionally, Ontarians have paid less for power than Americans. But now, said Adams, "we are leaving them in our dust."

He calculated that Ontario electricity rates passed the average U.S. price for the first time early this year, and are now nearly 15 per cent higher.

Adams assigned much of the blame for the rise in electricity rates to Ontario's Green Energy Act, which promotes the use of solar, wind and other alternative power sources.

The Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program, which locks in generous payments for 20 years for large green energy projects, is "just outrageous," Adams said.

The program's rates are far in excess of current electricity prices. The FIT program, for example, offers producers between 44.3 cents and 71.3 cents per kilowatt hour for solar power, and between 13.5 and 19 cents for wind power.

By contrast, the average weighted price for electricity so far this year is 4.02 cents per kilowatt hour.

Four FIT projects are already operating commercially, as are more than 700 small-scale projects under the companion microFIT program, which offers even richer incentives.

Adams said FIT projects will drive up electricity bills as they generate more and more of Ontario's power.

Because 20-year contracts have already been offered for FIT projects totalling more than 2,600 megawatts of power, Adams said, "it's now too late to avoid hundreds of dollars per year of increases."

But Tom Carpenter, a research associate at Queen's University's Institute for Energy and the Environment, said claims that green energy will drive up the price of electricity are "simply false."

Over the next two or three years, Carpenter said, the impact of FIT projects on electricity rates will be negligible, because the high-priced renewable energy will only represent a tiny fraction of the province's generating capacity.

As the program expands, he said, economies of scale will kick in and prices will come down sharply.

Another impending shift that could raise costs for residential customers is the advent of time-of-use pricing.

Unless they've signed electricity contracts, Ottawa residents now pay the Ontario Energy Board's regulated price for hydro. For the first 600 hours of consumption in summer — and the first 1,000 hours in winter — they pay 6.5 cents per kilowatt hour, and then 7.5 cents for each kilowatt hour beyond that.

But smart meters, now installed at virtually all Ottawa residences, make it possible to bill customers at three variable rates, depending on when they use electricity.

The current time-of-use rates are:

n 5.3 cents per kilowatt hour between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.,

n 8 cents from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and

n 9.9 cents from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hydro Ottawa plans to shift 4,750 customers to time-of-use billing in November, a further 30,000 early next year and the balance by June 2011. Those who've signed contracts with electricity suppliers won't be affected.

While time-of-use pricing should be cost-neutral overall, Adams said, some people will pay more and some will pay less, depending on their consumption patterns.

Pilot projects in Toronto found many small businesses saved money while residential customers, on average, paid about eight per cent more for their electricity.

Adams said "substantial increases" are also on the horizon for electrical transmission and distribution.

One driver is an OEB decision last December that allowed local utilities to increase their allowed rate of profit. The decision bumped Hydro Ottawa's allowed return on equity to 9.85 per cent from 8.57 per cent.

There's some public benefit to that because the City of Ottawa is Hydro Ottawa's sole owner, but "that is going to drive the distribution and transmission components of the bill up by more than 10 per cent just in and of itself," Adams said.

© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

BC Hydro's new digital technology will be able to detect some marijuana growing operations

BC Hydro is touting its new smart meters as a means of detecting electricity theft tied to marijuana-growing operations. The new units represent the first major upgrade in conventional power meters in half a century. Police forces around the continent have found sophisticated marijuana-growing operations in a variety of locations thanks to the technology. Photograph by: Bill Keay, PNGGallery: The grow-ops of British Columbia.

- - -

One of British Columbia's biggest underground industries could find itself short-circuited by a BC Hydro technology upgrade.

Hydro is moving ahead with a plan to replace mechanical electricity meters with smart meters across the province that are expected to make it a lot tougher for indoor marijuana growers to conceal their operations.

Smart meters represent the first major upgrade on conventional analog electricity meters in a half century. Hydro last month issued a request for proposals for companies to bid on installation of new, digital meters as well as the accompanying hardware and software, to serve all of its customers by 2012.

The principal benefit of the upgrade is to allow Hydro to better manage its electrical grid.

For example, Hydro will receive instantaneous reports of blackouts rather than waiting for customers to phone them with the information.

However, Hydro is touting detection of electricity theft as a significant side benefit for its customers.

Electricity theft was estimated in 2006 to cost Hydro $30 million per year — which would work out to at least $40 million with today's two-tier electricity rate — equivalent to a one-per-cent rate hike.

"At the market value of [purchasing] new energy supply, the cost to our legitimate customers would be significantly more — even if the total quantity of gigawatt hours stolen has not increased since 2006," said Cindy Verschoor, Hydro smart meter program communications leader, in an e-mail.

"The smart metering and infrastructure program will help to identify theft where and when it is occurring and mitigate impacts on legitimate ratepayers."

Illicit marijuana production in B.C. has been estimated to have an annual retail value of between $4 billion and $5 billion.

Conventional wisdom holds that residential-based grow operators have either tampered with their existing meters or rewired nearby distribution power lines in order to mask the large volume of power they need to run the lights that serve their indoor nurseries.

In a recent interview, a senior executive with a B.C.-based company that has already installed millions of smart meters for utilities around North America said that its workers immediately detect illegal electricity consumption when they attach the new meters to the outside of homes and commercial businesses.

It's a side-effect of the installation, Corix Utilities (U.S.) vice-president and general manager Kevin Meagher said.

"We are verifying first of all . . . is the system is safe? Is that little box on the side of your house safe? Is it grounded? Are there the right voltages based on the [customers'] records and so forth? That's all part of the installation process. We are testing all of that," Meagher said.

"How we find these [illegal] things is that we will get a backfeed that tells me there is power coming from somewhere else on this premise through the system. That's usually an indicator that there is a grow house or something else on it."

Hydro won't divulge specific details on how smart meters will detect theft, but Verschoor acknowledged that the Crown corporation expects that tampered meters will be discovered by contractors during the initial installation process.

"While evidence of electricity theft will be reported to BC Hydro, the smart meter installers are not going to be conducting investigations or intruding on customer privacy," Verschoor said.

"In general, theft detection will involve accurately measuring how much electricity is going into an area [such as a neighbourhood] and that data will be compared to metered consumption from customers in the area.

"This is akin to a retail chain comparing how much inventory is delivered to each store by how many units are sold at the cash registers in that store."

She added that the new system will give Hydro better "visibility" of its grid.

"We can determine sources of energy loss from a variety of causes, including theft."

Discussion board participants on cannabis culture sites across the English-speaking world have been expressing a degree of paranoia about the new technology, with similar meter installations proceeding in many countries.

Advocates of legalizing marijuana, meanwhile, think the grow operations most likely to be detected by the new meter technology are family enterprises.

"Prohibition breeds creativity for getting around obstacles and law enforcement, so there will be ways for large-scale growers to go undetected," Jodie Emery said in an e-mail.

Emery's husband is Marc Emery, an outspoken advocate of pot legalization now serving five years in a U.S. penitentiary for a mail order business that shipped marijuana seeds from Canada to the United States.

"They can just get generators, or buy entire gas stations (as we've seen done in the past), or use new LED lighting technology, or grow smaller crops in more locations, which actually spreads the problem out and makes it harder to detect," Jodie Emery said.

"The most dangerous aspect of the smart meter program is that it means small-scale, mom-and-pop indoor gardens will be more likely to be shut down, whereas organized crime can afford the techniques and technology to avoid detection (in the ways I outlined above). So it puts more of the cannabis market into the hands of gangs, and out of small-scale personal gardeners.

"No matter what BC Hydro does with smart meters, grow ops will never go away unless cannabis prohibition ends."

ssimpson "at" vancouversun.com

© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun