The export question

Electricity policy in British Columbia has become extremely controversial in recent years. The provincial government's decision in 2002 to require that all new sources of electricity (other than Site C and upgrades to existing facilities) be acquired from the private sector proved to be a lightning rod for political conflict. That decision provoked a strong backlash by interest groups and members of the public concerned about privatization, environmental impacts, input by affected communities, and fair pricing. In the public debate, the issue of electricity trade has cropped up frequently. The government and private power producers have used the argument that BC Hydro has increasingly had to import power from other jurisdictions to meet provincial demand to bolster the case that more sources of power are required. Critics of the government's energy policy have challenged that argument and claimed that the province continues to be a net exporter of power.