[news] Forums on BC Hydro around BC

[Lesley Moore]

Below are some dates for upcoming forums around B.C. about changes to BC Hydro and our electricity system.  

Some of the topics to be discussed include:
1)  BC Hydro rate increases ~7.23% this year and 2% next year.
2)  Transmission grid ~ U.S. based RTO West and our transmission system.
3)  Implications of Bill 85 ~ Control of BC Hydro assets and BCUC's ability to make decisions on rates.
4)  Privatizing one third of BC Hydro ~ The contract with Accenture for support services.
5)  Future electricity generation ~ Privatization of all new electricity supply; BC Hydro limited to upgrading and maintaining existing facilities.
6)  Loss of BC's competitive advantage ~ Power generated by private companies to be billed at U.S. market rates over time.
7)  Update on Charter challenge launched by the OPIEU that was heard in BC Supreme Court December 2003.
8)  Update on the Class Action lawsuit launched by BC Citizens for Public Power.
9)  Environmental concerns ~ Coal fired electricity generation, and "green washing".

There is no charge to attend these public forums.  Please spread the word!  


FEBRUARY 19, 2004 -- VANCOUVER
Event:                  "The Fight for BC Hydro:  What's New - What's Next?"
When:                  Thursday Feb 19 at 7:30 pm
Where:                 Vancouver Public Library - Alice McKay Room - 350 West Georgia St.
Speakers:             John Young - Executive Director, BC Citizens for Public Power
                            Rudy Lawrence - President, Council of Senior Citizens' Organizations (COSCO)
                            Mark Veerkamp - Consumers' Association of Canada
                            Speakers representing the BC Government and the environmental community have also been invited.
Sponsored by:      Council of Canadians (Vancouver Chapter), and COSCO 
Contact:               Penny Tilby 604-263-1005 tilbypeterson at telus.net 

FEBRUARY 23, 2004 -- PARKSVILLE
Event:                 "Energy for Our Future:  A Plan for British Columbia"
When:                 Monday Feb 23 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where:                Parksville Community Centre Main Auditorium (next to City Hall)
Presented by:      Richard Neufeld, Minister of Energy & Mines, and Judith Reid, MLA
Contact:              250-951-6021


FEBRUARY 29, 2004 -- NANAIMO
Event:                 "Public Meeting on BC Hydro & Our Electricity System"
When:                 Sunday Feb 29 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where:                Bowen Park Complex 2300 Bowen Park Rd. 
Speaker:             Mark Veerkamp
Sponsored by:     Mid-Island Coalition for Strong Communities
Contact:              June Ross 250-729-0185  cat_balou at shaw.ca 





FEBRUARY 29, 2004 -- PRINCE GEORGE

Event:                 "Public Meeting on BC Hydro & Our Electricity System"
When:                 Sunday Feb 29 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Where:                College of New Caledonia, Room 1-306 (Theatre)

Speakers:            Paul Nettleton - MLA, and Jim Sinclair - BC Federation of Labour

Sponsored by:     Active Voice Coalition

Contact:              Karen Taylor 250-563-1116  shortnote3 at shaw.ca 

                           Peter Ewart 250-962-6792  peter.ewart at shaw.ca 

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