Comparable credit comes Nelson Hydro customers’ way
By Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Nelson Hydro customers won’t be left out of the mix when it comes to the provincial electricity affordability credit.
This month the Province began offering the B.C. Electricity Affordability Credit (April 22), that will be applied to bills until March 31, 2025.
Based on 4.6 per cent of a person’s electricity consumption — from Jan. 1, 2023 to Dec. 31, 2023 — the credit was announced that it could save around $100 for the average B.C. Hydro residential customer.
A comparable credit is available to customers of non-B.C. Hydro electricity utilities, including FortisBC and Nelson Hydro (and other municipally-owned utilities).
The new saving credit will start to be applied to the first bill after April 15, with the credit automatically calculated and divided over the hydro bills during the next 12 months.
“There is no need to apply for the credit as it will be applied automatically,” noted a release from the Province. “Customers with more than one account will receive a credit on each account.”
To be eligible for the credit, people must have had an active account as of March 31, 2024.
“For the average household, this will provide savings of approximately $100,” the release explained. “Commercial businesses will see a credit of 4.6 per cent — or an average of $400, respectively — to help reduce rising operating costs.”
On the flip side of the ledger, beginning April 1 — as approved by the B.C. Utilities Commission — electricity bills will increase by 2.3 per cent.
