Read this op-ed on Rabble.ca by one of BC’s leading independent energy experts, SFU economist Dr. Marvin Shaffer, refuting the BC Liberals’ wrong-headed “self-sufficiency” policy – which has driven the purchase of billions of dollars in private power contracts.

“The government’s self-sufficiency policy requires BC Hydro to guard
against the risk of drought by entering into long-term firm power
purchase contracts with British Columbia IPPs — power that in many
years it will not need and be forced to sell at a loss. It precludes BC
Hydro from even considering more cost-effective and in many ways less
environmentally damaging options — in particular relying on the spot
market for electricity in those years that its own hydro production is
limited by drought.” (Sept. 9, 2011)

http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/mgregus/2011/09/self-sufficiency-energy-policy-so-where-science