Advocacy

Fair net-metering policy

In April, 2018 BC Hydro made an interim application to the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) to amend the BC Hydro net-metering service to restrict net-metered customers to self-consumption. SSREC opposed this application and submitted a letter of comment, viewable here.

On June 1, 2018 the BCUC granted interim approval of BC Hydro’s proposed tariff amendments, pending BC Hydro completing a broader review of its Net Metering Program by the end of 2018. BCUC directed BC Hydro to file its next Net Metering application for approval by no later than December 15, 2018.

On October 10, 2018 BC Hydro applied to the BCUC to change the deadline to file its next Net Metering application until July 31, 2019. SSREC opposed this application to extend the timeline and submitted a letter of comment, viewable here.

On January 7, 2019 the BCUC denied BC Hydro’s request to extend the filing of its application to amend the Net Metering service until July 31, 2019, but gave BC Hydro until April 30, 2019 to file its application. This BCUC order is viewable here.

The Appendix to this order states “The (BCUC) Panel finds BC Hydro’s Extension Request to be unreasonable. Parties affected by the interim amendments…should be provided with an opportunity to be heard on the issues and to participate meaningfully in the process, without undue delay. The Panel finds a further seven month extension to review these interim amendments to the Net Metering Program to be an undue delay.”