Read this op-ed in the Vancouver Sun by BC NDP Energy Critic John Horgan on IPPs and the recent panel report on BC Hydro.

“The Liberals imposed a policy on BC Hydro that forced the utility to
only buy new electricity supply from private providers here in B.C. This
“independent power” purchase plan costs ratepayers as much as four
times the market rate for electricity and will see at least $45 billion
in unfunded liabilities over the next 30 years. They also introduced
unnecessary requirements to be electricity self-sufficient, boosting the
need for such purchases. With the damage done, BC Hydro was forced to
request rate hikes of more than 50 per cent over five years. The
Liberals called for a review of BC Hydro, prepared by a panel of deputy
ministers and released earlier this month.” (Aug, 24, 2011)