Provincial - BC Hydro/BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) 2024 Rate Design Application
In addition to the Distribution Extension Policy, BC Hydro has also applied to the BCUC for “… changes to its residential service rates, net metering service rates, non-integrated area rates, and Electric Tariff Terms and Conditions.”
In terms of the Electric Tariff, in their application, BC Hydro is proposing to eliminate the master metering option for Multi-Occupancy Residential Buildings (MURBs). Under this option, builders have been able to choose to have one BC Hydro meter for a building – or have individual meters for each unit. BC Hydro is proposing to eliminate the option of having just one meter because “Once a developer … opts for a master meter in a MURB, it is very costly, and likely infeasible, for stratas or residents to request individually metered service for each unit from BC Hydro as the cost of rewiring would be prohibitive and there may be insufficient space in the meter room for current BC Hydro meters.”
They are also proposing to “… require all future residential units, except for secondary suite(s), … be individually metered by BC Hydro,” not third parties. They argue, again, that it would be difficult to rewire a building and there may not be enough space in meter room if stratas in the future want to use BC Hydro instead of third parties. In addition, residents being metered by third parties “… are not direct BC Hydro customers and, therefore, do not have access to BC Hydro’s programs, rate options, and tools available to other residential customers of BC Hydro.” This was particularly problematic during the pandemic when residents were unable to access COVID-19 relief programs.
Please see UDI’s May 7th and December 20th letters on these proposals.
Regarding net-metering, BC Hydro will be providing a further update to the BCUC on their proposals before December 20, 2024.
If you are interested in receiving updates on BCUC’s BC Hydro 2024 Rate Design Proceeding, please use the following link: Get Involved in a Proceeding. If you would like to be an intervener, the request must be made by August 22nd.
