New Hydro fee another tax on citizens

How many of you are aware of the new Customer Crisis Fund charge that has been added to B.C. Hydro bills? This fee was introduced in June and I must admit I am in fault for not checking my hydro bill more closely and being aware of this charge before now.

The following was taken from their website.

“Residential account holders will see a new line item on their BC Hydro bill starting June 1, 2018 – a charge of 0.82 cents or $0.0082 per day (approximately 25 cents per month) on residential accounts that will fund the program.

Only residential customers pay the CCF charge on their bills, as only residential customers are eligible to apply.

“The Customer Crisis Fund is currently a three-year pilot program running until 2021. We anticipate that it will collect approximately $5 million per year from residential customers – or 25 cents per month from each customer – to fund the program.

“If the program continues after the pilot, any unused funds will be carried into the ongoing program. The $0.0082 charge for residential customers may also be adjusted if revenues collected are found to exceed grants and administration costs.

“If the program isn’t continued after the current pilot, the BC Utilities Commission will assess how any unused funds should be directed.

“This will ensure our customers are only paying the actual cost of the program.”

What is to stop Telus, Fortis, and other providers of service from applying to the BC Utilities Commission for the same “Customer Crisis Fund Charge?” Where will this end?

I pay my bills, but do not feel I am responsible to pay for others who for one reason or another are having difficulties meeting their responsibilities.

It is not the amount involved – what is $0.25 a month? – it is the principle and the door this charge opens.

Just another way to tax the average citizen. Linda Hohn Prince George