B.C. Hydro Denies Gouging Charges


Substation Relay Protection Training

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 12 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$699
Coupon Price:
$599
Reserve Your Seat Today

California claims utility charged too much for its power

Vancouver, B.C. -- B.C. Hydro officials vehemently have denied complaints from California that the Crown corporation inflated the price of electricity it sold to the Golden State.A report prepared by the operator of the state's reporting grid said B.C. Hydro reaped $176 million US in "excessive" profits by price gouging California utilities.The California Independent System Operator (Cal-ISO) studied utility pricing for 20 large suppliers between May and November. The report was filed with the United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington on March 22.Parts of the report -- principally an allegation that power suppliers overcharged Californian utilities more than $6 billion US in December -- were made public on the commission's Web site.The chair of B.C. Hydro, Brian Smith, said California created its own problems.The study claimed Powerex, B.C. Hydro's electricity export subsidiary, inflated its prices last year.Smith said the prices charged by Powerex were entirely in line with market conditions."Indeed, the ISO's market surveillance committee, whose responsibility it is to monitor the markets, has never claimed that Powerex's bids were in any way inappropriate," said Smith in a prepared statement.The high prices are the result of the California government's partial deregulation of power, along with poor supply and high demand, he said.The Los Angeles Times said it had obtained confidential portions of the report and Wednesday published a story that said B.C. Hydro leads the list of companies that profit more than what should be earned in a healthy, competitive market.B.C. Hydro has previously disclosed that Powerex is owed about $300 million by both Pacific Gas & Electric Co., a utility that filed for bankruptcy protection from creditors last week, and Southern Californian Edison.

Related News

Working From Home Will Drive Up Electricity Bills for Consumers

Remote Work Energy Costs are rising as home offices and telecommuting boost electricity bills; utilities,…
View more

Electricity and water do mix: How electric ships are clearing the air on the B.C. coast

Hybrid Electric Ships leverage marine batteries, LNG engines, and clean propulsion to cut emissions in…
View more

Hundreds facing hydro disconnection as bills pile up during winter ban

Ontario Hydro Disconnection Ban ends May 1, prompting utilities and Hydro One to push payment…
View more

Hungary's Quiet Alliance with Russia in Europe's Energy Landscape

Hungary's Russian Energy Dependence underscores EU tensions, as TurkStream gas flows, discounted imports, and pipeline…
View more

Ontario introduces new 'ultra-low' overnight hydro pricing

Ontario Ultra-Low Overnight Electricity Rates cut costs for shift workers and EV charging, with time-of-use…
View more

Clean-energy generation powers economy, environment

Atlin Hydro and Transmission Project delivers First Nation-led clean energy via hydropower to the Yukon…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Download the 2026 Electrical Training Catalog

Explore 50+ live, expert-led electrical training courses –

  • Interactive
  • Flexible
  • CEU-cerified