2016 Legislative Session: 5th Session, 40th Parliament

FIRST READING

The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.

The printed version remains the official version.

MR. JOHN HORGAN

BILL M 206 – 2016

HYDRO AFFORDABILITY ACT, 2016

This Bill provides that the British Columbia Utilities Commission may require a utility to make a discounted lifeline rate in order to maintain the affordability of energy for eligible low-income households.

HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, enacts as follows:

1 The Utilities Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c.473 is amended by adding the following section:

60.1

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Commission may require a utility to make a discounted lifeline rate in order to maintain the affordability of energy for eligible low-income households.

(2) If the Commission makes an order under subsection (1), it must establish:

(

a) the criteria for households to be eligible for the lifeline rate by considering both household income and number of persons residing in the household,

(

b) the procedure for households to apply to be eligible for the lifeline rate,

(

c) the amount of the lifeline rate, and

(

d) such other rules and directions as the Commission may consider appropriate for the administration of the lifeline rate program.

Explanatory Note

This Bill provides that the British Columbia Utilities Commission may require a utility to make a discounted lifeline rate in order to maintain the affordability of energy for eligible low-income households.

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c) Queen's Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada