TERRACE STANDARD

Energy
price
shock
feared

NORTHERN residents and
industries will face huge

increases in electricity
prices if the province dere-
gulales energy markets,
warns a group of northern
towns. ;

The North Central Mu-
nicipal Association has
sounded the alarm over
proposed energy reforms,
saying its members arc
deeply concerned.

Electricity prices in
B.C. could rise 30 to 60
per cent if they are al-
lowed to move to North
American levels, an inter-
im energy policy report in-
dicates.

But NCMA past presi-
dent Dan Rogers said the
same report also lists
prices paid in nearby pro-
vinces and states, adding
some areas are already
paying double or triple the
current prices in B.C.

“We are concerned that
electricity deregulation in
other areas had led to ex-
treme: price hikes and
chaos in supply,” Rogers
said, “B.C. is in the fortu-
nate position of having
“among the lowest cost
electricity in North Ameri-
. ca.”

He said this province
has the luxury of time to
examine the issue, adding

_ there’s no reason to rush
reforms.

““B.C. needs to avoid
the high prices, supply
- shortages and economic
chaos that has resulted in
- other jurisdictions,” he
said.

-'NCMA president Jim
Thom said sharp increases
in electricity costs would
have a disastrous effect on
the whole province, and
the north in particular be-
cause of its colder climate.

~“Affordable and reliable
electricity is essential to
attracting and retaining in-
dustry in the north,” Thom
said.

“Electricity rate in-
creases will drain away
funds from our local eco-
nomies, place additional
costs on our schools and
“health care services, and
discourage industrial deve-
lopment.”

-- Rogers said the dams
built by B.C. and backed
by taxpayers’ dollars
“should be regarded as an
“entitlement in perpetuity
for all British Columbians.

He said the province
-enjoys the least expensive

- electricity on the continent
~ because of the large and
wise investments of past
governments dating back
‘to premier W.A.C, Bennett.
~The NCMA also said
the province should retain
- the current system of sell-
‘ing power at uniform rates
across the province.
> © ‘Phe organization joins
forestry. and mining indu-
' stry groups in opposing the
. deregulation of electricity
". prices,
“> Rogers said Victoria
_ neglected to direct its task
force to seek economical
and affordable power.
““NCMA members - wha
include mayors and coun-
cillors across the north —
approved a resolution last
week urging Victoria to re-
_ consider moving electri-
city rales to market prices.
BC, gets 85 per cent of
the profits from electricity
sold by B.C. Hydro,

The province collected
$801. million in taxes and
dividends from the Crown
corporation in 2001, The

proposed rate increases |

‘ wilould funnel additional

revenue into provincial.

coffers, according to.an in-

tefim report on the pro- —

posed energy policy.

@ Arts
centre rises §

ANEW ARTS and cultural centre §
is being built in New Aiyansh by §
the Gitlakdamix village govern-
ment. The general contractor on

_ the project is Radcliffe
Developments of Parksville, but
apart from the superintendent,

all the workers — including

Warren McMillan of Aiyansh —

are Nass valley residents.

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