FN customers report hydro bills increased as much as 300% this winter

Acting Mayor Kim Eglinski wrote to Bob Gammer, BC Hydro Community Relations Manager for Northern BC, about the concerns of residents of Fort Nelson who had received unexpected increases in their electricity bills from BC Hydro. “A growing number of local residents have been bringing us their concerns regarding significant and unexplained increases in the monthly hydroelectric bills. I am seeking clarification, on behalf of the regional Council, of the possible reasons residents are experiencing these unexpected increases,” Eglinski wrote.
Common concerns identified by residents include receiving Hydro bills that are reflecting only an estimated usage and usage amounts that are 200 to 300% higher than documented usage from same time last year;
Residents who have received these higher bills include residents who have converted to gas heaters, energy-efficient appliances, and have converted to energy efficient light bulbs. They also report an unexpected increase in the frequency of blown light bulbs around their residence while they report having fewer people in the household than in the previous year, and report having secured full-time employment since the previous year and are no longer in their homes during the day.
Residents who shared these concerns with BC Hydro have reported the following responses:
• their usage has increased and the monthly bill must be paid because the usage increased;
• resident should test their breakers;
• BC Hydro is unable to obtain a proper reading of the local meter;
• residents have the option of sending their smart meter away to be inspected (if faulty) but that doing so would mean their residence or business would be without power.
Regional Council understands that BC Hydro has a system in place to estimate electricity usage is a metre is unreadable, and would like clarification on how these estimates are kept as accurate as possible. With recent media reports noting that the new BC Hydro smart meters have been proven to be functionally accurate, we hope you can provide information explaining the unexplained increases experienced by our residents.
On March 12th, 2013, Bob Gammer replied to Council’s “concerns over BC Hydro customers billing amounts, billing accuracy is very important to us and we encourage customers to contact us if they receive a bill that appears to be incorrect. Some customers from Fort Nelson area have contacted BC Hydro and we have responded to those customers to address their specific circumstances. In some cases, we do not yet have the complete picture, but we are continuing to work with each customer.

As you have outlined in your letter, there are several reasons why customers may receive a higher-than-expected bill. When customers call BC Hydro with billing concerns, we investigate each case thoroughly.

Common reasons why bills may be higher than expected include:
Higher Use During Colder Months:
increased consumption is the result of cold weather and longer nights, and the associated changes in lifestyle full, changes in the home, and use of more electronics. On average, a customer bills increase by 66% in the winter.
Equal payment plan adjustments: if a customer has an equal payment plan and the value of the electricity of the customer uses over a 12 month period is more than the total value of the monthly payments, the customer will receive a bill for the difference.
If the payments for the previous 12 months are more than the value of the electricity consumed, the customer will receive a credit. Much repayment amounts are also adjusted every 105 days based on the electricity consumption pattern.
Meter reading areas: the result of a manual miss read by meter reader, or of data input error.
Once a smart metering system is fully operational, automated meter readings will eliminate below estimates and manual data entries.
Those customers who have had smart meters installed will have access to a new online tool: MyHydro. Customers will be able to track their energy use by month, day and even our up to the previous day; compare their energy use with the outside temperature; view their costs to date and projected costs for the current billing period; and explore power Smart tips and tools.
Customers worried about the accuracy of their meters can access the measurement Canada a federal consumer protection agency which has sole jurisdiction for the administration and enforcement of the weights and measures act and the electricity and gas inspection act. Meters are tested extensively to ensure that every customer has a meter that is safe and working properly, and that meat is meat BC Hydro and measurement Canada accuracy standards. All BC Hydro meters must be accurate to 99.8%. Cost of this service is $92 plus tax.
Note: Cost of operating the Fort Nelson BC Hydro Station include $237,717 in salary +$8,272 and expenses for a thermal plant maintenance technician; $126,401 plus $1,300 in expenses for a second thermal plant operation technician – shift engineer $166,430 remuneration and expenses of $2,649 for powerline technician; $270,977 remuneration and $8,352 expenses for a thermal plant operation technician; $116,328 and $3,265 expenses for a thermal plant operation technician.
Power is generated using feedstock from the Spectra Energy plant adjacent to the power generating station. Power is also sold into the Alberta grid from the station.