BCUC releases details on Site C inquiry after BC NDP government asks for review

VANCOUVER, B.C. – The British Columbia Utilities Commission has officially initiated an inquiry into the Site C dam project after being directed to do so by the BC NDP government.

The BCUC says the scope of the inquiry is available at http://www.bcuc.com/Sitecinquiry.html.

“We are committed to an open and transparent inquiry of the Site C project,” says David Morton, Chair & CEO of the BCUC, “and I encourage British Columbians to participate.”

As Energy Minister Michelle Mungall announced yesterday, the BCUC has been asked to examine the impact on BC Hydro ratepayers associated with continuing, suspending or terminating the Site C project.

The inquiry will be handled in two phases the BCUC announced on Thursday. In the first phase, they will gather information and produce a preliminary report.

“Next week, parties will be invited to submit data and analysis within the scope of the Terms of Reference, to be considered for inclusion in the preliminary report. The deadline to submit data and analysis is August 30, 2017. Updates on the process for phase one will be posted on the BCUC’s Site C Inquiry webpage.”

In the second phase, the BCUC will seek public input on the preliminary report developed from the first phase. The BCUC will issue the preliminary report, addressing the specific issues set forth in the Terms of Reference, by September 20, 2017, and a final report by November 1, 2017.

“We will invite comments on the preliminary report from all interested parties before issuing the final report. We will conduct open houses around the province to provide people with the opportunity to comment. Interested parties can also make submissions on the BCUC’s website.”