BCUC Oral Public Hearing Information Guide (2008 LTAP)
As previously advised, starting on Thursday, February 19, 2009, the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) will commence oral public hearings on the approval for BC Hydro's 2008 Long-Term Acquisition Plan (LTAP).
This week, the BCUC kindly provided participants with some information to assist them by explaining the process. As the BCUC states, the information letter is also "for others who simply want to observe the proceedings, make a statement about the Application, or submit a letter of comment, this document will also help."
Here is the BCUC Oral Public Hearing Procedural Information Guide.
The hearings will be held
| February 19, 2009 09:00 AM Commission Hearing Room on the Twelfth Floor 1125 Howe Street Vancouver BC |
Electricity Showdown at the BCUC
BC HYDRO 2008 LTAP HEARINGS
Main Event: February 19, 2009 - Oral Public Hearings
(expected to last one month)
Undercard:
- February 10, 2009 - BC Hydro responds in writing to BCUC Staff and Intervenors Information Requests (click here for a link to all filings with the BCUC in respect of BC Hydro's 2008 Long Term Acquisition Plan)
- February 13, 2009 - BC Hydro Direct Testimony and Rebuttal Evidence, if any
Location: BC Utilities Commission
Participants:
- BC Hydro
- Registered Intervenors (Here’s the list)
- General Public
Decision:
- BCUC decision is expected in June or July
What's at stake (and why you should care about the LTAP hearings):
- the BC Energy Plan
- the role of independent power production in the Province
- green power
- union-made power
- power for export
- BC Hydro's autonomy
- future electricity costs to all British Columbians.
Given BC Hydro's recent evidentiary update and its subsequent clarification letter, the current passionate debates over run-of-river power projects, and the oversubscribed Clean Power Call, this BCUC hearing will no doubt be closely followed by the energy community. And, with a large cup of coffee in hand, it might even be worth a visit.
Another Update: Clean Power Call - BC Hydro "Clarification" Letter
BC Hydro released a letter today which was filed with the BC Utilities Commission in connection with its 2008 Long Term Acquisition Plan (LTAP) and its recent evidentiary update with respect to target volume for the Clean Power Call. You can read a copy of BC Hydro's January 12, 2009 letter here and check out the BC Hydro Clean Power Call website here.
January 15 Update: The Globe and Mail reported today on BC Hydro's recent LTAP clarification letter. In the article, BC Hydro CEO Bob Elton confirmed BC Hydro's support for purchasing green power from independent power producers at cost-effective prices. For now, it appears the proposed cut to the size of the Clean Power Call from 5,000 GWh/year to 3,000 GWh/year has been scuttled, at least in public documents it has. How much green power BC Hydro decides to purchase from the Clean Power Call remains to be seen - results from the Clean Power Call RFP are expected in the late Spring.
This is a very interesting olive branch letter; one that clearly reinforces the challenges BC Hydro faces in forecasting the Province's future power requirements in the current economic environment, while at the same time also supports renewable power and independent power producers in the Province. The low carbon economy is coming to British Columbia and what that means to the Province's electricity requirements is yet to be seen. There is no doubt that opportunities abound for clean power generation in British Columbia, and if the price is right, BC Hydro will be buying.
I wonder what happened over the past few weeks between the Crown and her power corporation....
