The Regional District of Central Kootenay has endorsed a letter urging the provincial government to ensure “fairness and consistency” in wholesale electricity rates.
The move followed concerns raised by Sandon-based Silversmith Power and Light Corporation.
Silversmith operates what is widely described as Canada’s longest continuously operating hydroelectric plant. It has asked the province to recognize and preserve its independent ownership and address policies it said threaten small power producers.
The company asked the board to endorse a letter to Premier David Eby and relevant ministers appealing for fair policies and equitable power rates for independent producers.
Silversmith Power and Light is one of seven regulated generation and distribution utilities in B.C., alongside entities such as Nelson Hydro, West Kootenay Power, a subsidiary of FortisBC, and BC Hydro. Unlike Crown corporations, Silversmith is family-owned and operates without direct government subsidy.
Board members ultimately endorsed the letter at the Feb. 19 meeting, though discussion revealed unease about whether the district should advocate on behalf of a private company.
City of Nelson director Keith Page spoke in opposition, arguing the board was “blurring the lines between heritage recognition and private enterprise.”
“This is a private organization as opposed to a public asset,” said Page.
“I think there’s a lot of conflation going on because of history. I’m not opposed generally for historical assets to get some sort of heritage funding. But going after electrical utility rates to fund a private enterprise … I think we’re conflating things.”
He stressed that Silversmith is not publicly owned and suggested heritage funding, rather than intervention in provincial rate structures, would be a more appropriate avenue of support.
Electoral Area D director Aimee Watson framed the issue more broadly, arguing the motion was about regulatory fairness, not financial assistance.
“It’s a private asset, but it does provide public benefit,” said Watson.
“The issue is in the utility rates that are essentially watered down so that anyone that’s trying to provide a decentralized power source cannot financially feasibly do so. So it’s kind of like the marketing boards that control the price when you have the inability to access power in a lot of remote areas.”
Area C director Kelly Vandenberghe also supported the endorsement, emphasizing the company was not seeking funding.
“There’s no they’re not asking for funding. They’re just asking for support and what they’re trying to maintain what they’re doing.”
Village of Slocan director Jessica Lunn pointed to the RDCK’s own experience developing micro-hydro projects, which involved more than eight years of work and over $2 million in grants before stalling when BC Hydro ended its call for power.
“There doesn’t seem to be a method to the madness. And there are limited opportunities for small power production. So I would support the letter at the high level of establishing, like supporting fairness and consistency in their call for power for zoning awkward program and that will sell rates as outlined in the resolution.”
Nakusp director Aidan McLaren-Caux, who wrote the recommendation, said it was intentionally broad.
“it’s written specifically to be broad. And like Director Lund said, it’s fairness and consistency in establishing wholesale rates and regulations for all electricity producers. It’s not particularly trying to support one business.”
The motion passed with no opposition noted on the record.
With the board’s endorsement, the RDCK will send a letter to the premier and relevant ministers outlining its support for regulatory changes aimed at ensuring equitable treatment for small-scale electricity providers.
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