MINISTER of Energy and Mines Rich Coleman is promoting what the Liberals would have British Columbians believe is decisive government action and hard work to reduce proposed rate increases by BC Hydro.
The full text of the minister's opinion piece is published on page 9 of this issue so readers can assess for themselves whether Coleman's justifications answer the following question satisfactorily.
Was it in the government's interest rather than British Columbians' interest to scotch the prospect of a public review by the B.C. Utilities Commission on the proposed rate increases? Remember, the commission was shut out of reviewing many elements of the Liberals' energy plan and had yet to find a forum to comment on the government's rationale for deferring expenses in order to balance Hydro's books and the lack of any plan to recover the $2.2 billion - and rapidly climbing - that future British Columbians will have to pay.
The open and transparent review favoured by the commission would have subjected the Liberals to further public embarrassment over its policy of paying for today by taking money out of Hydro and deferring payback.
But don't take our word for this. Read Minister Coleman's explanation that the cabinet order that nixed the commission's preferred public hearings was required to end the commission's foot-dragging. Consider the fact that your Hydro bill will stay lower than it would otherwise have done without the Liberals' intervention.
But also remember that the bills will have to be paid eventually - or at last after the election.
