Rural Director Angelique Wood (Area G – Olalla-Hedley) defends her constituents against large Fortis rate  hikes.

The two-tiered conservation rate is a valid idea but its current application has resulted in unreasonable suffering. Other provinces have worked to develop energy conservation strategies which included higher thresholds (amount of energy used before “conservation rate” kicked in) in areas which did not have access to natural gas, or relief for residents on fixed incomes.

For BC Utilities Commission employees to regard the residents who are suffering astronomical rate increases with so little concern shows a serious “disconnect”: when the rate increase compromises the ability to buy food and medicine, or prevents seniors from having money to put gas in their cars, I think things have gone too far.

For the Premier’s office to fob this off as the responsibility of the BCUC and not acknowledge that their policies have directed the Commission to come up with ways to conserve energy is farcical. I feel I’m watching an episode of the Three Stooges but it’s not that funny.”