BC Hydro’s cynical move to cancel an important lifeline program has the potential to put the most vulnerable customers at risk just when help is needed most.
BC Hydro’s Customer Crisis Fund (CCF) is designed to protect customers facing unexpected economic hardship, by providing a one-time grant for bill payment. The BC NDP government directed BC Hydro to implement this program in 2018, after failing to deliver on a promise to create a permanent “lifeline rate” for qualifying households.
Now, in the midst of an ongoing pandemic, BC Hydro is proposing to terminate the CCF at the end of March 2021, leaving B.C. with no utility bill support programs at all. This would leave the more than 270,000 B.C. households that face energy poverty with nowhere to turn for assistance, and at risk of having their power shut off if they fall behind on their bills.
Ecotrust Canada is an enterprising charity that works with communities to ensure that everyone can affordably access clean energy to meet their basic needs, including heating, lighting, cooking, and communication. A study we conducted in May showed that one on five British Columbians were having a harder time paying their utility bills since the COVID-19 crisis began.
BC Hydro’s planned move would be out of step with several other provinces including Ontario, which provides not only crisis support funds, but ongoing bill relief for those that need it. Despite a small but vocal minority that opposes these critical measures, by BC Hydro’s own estimates, 88 per cent of British Columbians approve of continuing the CCF.
One of BC Hydro’s justifications for cancelling the program is low rates of participation. However, this is likely a result of needlessly restrictive criteria and limited awareness of the program.
Instead of cancelling the Customer Crisis Fund, BC Hydro could adopt more inclusive application criteria similar to other successful crisis programs in Canada—and more actively promote the program.
The Customer Crisis Fund has certainly not been perfect in its design or execution, but cancelling it entirely, in the midst of a crisis, is not the answer and will only serve to further harm those most impacted by the pandemic.
Dylan Heerema, P.Eng., senior analyst and researcher, Ecotrust Canada
