I expect to complete an analysis and write about BCUC’s final Site C report soon but I’ve spent hours reading their extensive material. It is a good effort in a relatively short time and should stand as an example to other inquiries (hello MMIWG), proving that, with appropriate discipline and cooperation, useful work can be achieved without spending tens of millions of dollars and employing countless self-interested lawyers and bureaucrats.

While BCUC uses polite language and avoids tossing BC Hydro executives or Liberal politicians under the bus, it confirms much of what I have written at In-Sights, particularly about electricity demand estimates and alternative power opportunities.

BCUC could have been less timid in its conclusions and a braver approach would have been useful in educated the people of BC about the utility’s financial difficulties. That, however, would have required the regulator to admit that meekly accepting directives from the Campbell and Clark Governments distorted the agency’s oversight purpose. We might not be in the present circumstance had the regulator of BC Hydro raised flags in public.

I’d like to see a full inquiry as to how BC Hydro execs and previous BC gov’t conspired to manufacture the case for #SiteC

— Marc Lee (@MarcLeeCCPA) November 1, 2017

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I’m going out on a limb. BCUC #SiteC report is the beginning of the end for this project #bcpoli @nunwadee1899 @akurjata @Y2Y_Initiative

— Candace Batycki (@candacebatycki) November 1, 2017

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BCUC: “The cost of putting the #SiteC project in a state of suspension, awaiting future remobilization in about five years, would be just as costly as terminating the project.” #bcpoli

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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BCUC: “The project is not within the proposed budget… Further, the total cost at completion may be in excess of $10 bn as there are significant risk remaining which could lead to further budget overruns. There is a high degree of uncertainty at this time.” #SiteC #bcpoli

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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Those who didn’t believe what #SiteC opponents have been saying now have reason and justification to mock @KootenayBillhttps://t.co/pv8lfIJx0U

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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BCUC: “As such the Panel is persuaded by the analysis performed by Deloitte, which indicated that in a “high impact” scenario the budget may be exceeded by between 20 and 50 percent.” Which means #SiteC cost could reach $13 billion. #bcpoli

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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The number of jobs lost by cancellation has been overstated since BCUC finds that $1.8 billion must be spent remediating #SiteC construction areas. A very costly make work project but remediation must proceed. #bcpoli

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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BCUC found BC Hydro’s mid-load forecasts too high and even finds demand may be less than the low-load forecast. Imagine how out-to-lunch the high-load estimate was. #bcpoli #SiteC

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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BCUC talking about need for “dispatchable energy.” Energy from an alternative portfolio “would effectively have the same value as that from #SiteC.” BC Hydro already has “substantial dispatchable energy.” #bcpoli

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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BCUC: with “a continued glut in North American energy markets, this could make it increasingly difficult to sell Site C surplus energy.” In-Sights readers have long known this without reading a regulator’s report. #bcpoli #SiteC

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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Statements in the BCUC final #SiteC affirm what has been written about often in alternative media. Captured corporate press served BC people very poorly through uncritical acceptance of Liberal Govt positions on energy. Shameful patisanship. #bcpoli #cdnmedia #journalism

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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BCUC: “disruptive storage technology could incent customers to generate their own electricity. This is more likely to be the case if BC Hydro’s rates continue to increase…” #bcpoli #SiteC

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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I believe the BCUC report is a call for resignations of BC Hydro directors who gave approval to the project. Also, senior executives who managed this boondoggle, like current president Chris O’Riley. #SiteC #bcpoli

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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BC Hydro’s history, 2007-2017, is deserving of book length treatment, perhaps a collaborative effort of people who’ve examined different parts of political attempts to subvert the public interest and privatize billions of dollars of public funds.. #bcpoli #cdnpoli

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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There appeared to have been no substantial business case for #SiteC except for those people who expected to be financially rewarded through the project. A corruption inquiry is warranted. #bcpoli

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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NL has only 11% of BC’s population so the per capita hit on each citizen for out of control hydro spending is far higher. Same sad neoliberal policies at play. BC’s loss on private power is even larger than #SiteC. The elites win, ordinary people are the suckers.#nlpoli #bcpoli

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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Many of the arguments of #SiteC proponents are struck down in final BCUC report. #bcpoli

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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No loss of 2,000 jobs. That’s a proponent’s myth. They count consultants, engineers, accountants, drivers and others who will turn to other duties. Many workers still needed for restoring site too. #bcpoli #SiteC

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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Add the 5+ billions (and growing) lost paying 3x market prices paid to private power producers for electricity surplus to our needs. #bcpoli #SiteC

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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Yes, but fault lies with politiicans able to carry on business behind closed doors with no independent oversight and no dedication to transparency. It is a political problem more than a defective system aiming to deliver public services through a natural monopoly. #bcpoli

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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Hey @jjhorgan @AJWVictoriaBC Can we please agree to stop the unnecessary #SiteC ? https://t.co/JX2ExRR5AE

— Terry Cormier (@TerryCormierGP) November 1, 2017

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Management, failing to act with appropriate prudence, used best case scenarios in every element of #SiteC planning. Example from BCUC: “financing cost assumption that the cost of debt will not change over 70 years may not be supportable.” Ya think? #bcpoli

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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BCUC: “some risks, such as the adoption of disruptive technologies and interest rate fluctuations are inherent in such a long-term project.” We know disruptive technologies have emerged since #SiteC planning began. BC Hydro failed to recognize and adapt. #bcpoli

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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BCUC confirms what In-Sights readers knew: “Repatriate some or all of the Columbia River Treaty entitlement. This energy is generated from water stored behind BC Hydro dams in British Columbia and is as firm and flexible as the energy from #SiteC.”https://t.co/LOOfrkmdrS #bcpoli

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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Another factor BC Liberals and BC Hydro management chose to largely ignore.
BCUC: “Potential cost to ratepayers related to infringement of First Nation treaty and aboriginal rights if Site C is completed.”#bcpoli #FirstNations #SiteC

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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And another. BCUC: “The impact of the loss of valuable agricultural land due to flooding.” #bcpoli #SiteC

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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Another. BCUC: “Possible down-stream impact on the Peace-Athabasca Delta in the event Site C is completed.” #bcpoli #SiteC

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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Another. BCUC: “The potential for a change in either BC Hydro or the Provincial Government debt or bond rating.” We lose two ways: on the actual expenditures and the impact of higher cost borrowing in the future. #bcpoli #SiteC

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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BC Hydro continues to deny people of British Columbia honest and complete information about #SiteC problems. This is a major fault within a public corporation. #bcpoli

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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Remember when corporate media pundits like @VaughnPalmer told us that a BCUC review would be rushed and probably unhelpful. Turns out the conclusions were fairly obvious and reflect what opponents have been saying for last two years. #bcpoli #SiteC

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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EXTRA EXTRA! Today was revealed a serious tension crack between the management of BC Hydro and the citizens of British Columbia. Solution requires major surgery to excise a number of malignant actors. #bcpoli #SiteC

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 1, 2017

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“International evidence suggests that the bigger the project, the more likely it will go over budget and miss its deadlines…. over-optimism, and strategic
misrepresentations.” https://t.co/cCrdGWoZfd #bcpoli https://t.co/fxSh5wwr94

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 2, 2017

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The larger story is how policymakers operate almost purely on behalf of wealthy interests who aim to move public wealth into the hands of financial elites. #bcpoli #SiteC #cdnpoli #nlpoli #mbpoli pic.twitter.com/zyhItiq0Z9

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 2, 2017

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The financial disasters at BC Hydro would not have happened had government been collaborative and cooperative. Instead, a single arrogant party proceeded without being required to justify acts to anyone but themselves. #bcpoli

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 2, 2017

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Today, Rafe would be reading the BCUC report and cursing politicians who allowed #SiteC to proceed without independent review. He’d be relieved that many of his public statements about the project have been verified and justified. #bcpoli

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 2, 2017

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The destructive potential of active inertia is always high. BC Hydro fell victim to it and refused to admit that demand growth ended a dozen years ago and they failed to examine developments in alternative energy. #bcpoli #SiteC https://t.co/JudnWHW5wo

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 2, 2017

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Like the Titanic, BC Hydro was sailing full speed ahead, despite an increased risk of obstacles in its path. #bcpoli #SiteC

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 2, 2017

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Premier Clark Government’s decision to proceed with #SiteC with no independent review was a huge mistake. Their decision to rush ahead despite warnings, hoping to gain a “point of no return,” wa a rude and grossly negligent slap to taxpayers’ faces. #bcpoli

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 2, 2017

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As finance minister, @mike_de_jong shares a major part of the blame, along with @colemancountry and @KootenayBill. #SiteC #bcpoli

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 2, 2017

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Karen Dedosenco: "So much missing from the BCUC analysis as well. The chart states, 'A continued glut in North American energy markets would make it increasingly difficult to sell surplus energy.', but no mention that BC rate-payers are already subsidizing export markets!" #SiteC

— Norm Farrell (@Norm_Farrell) November 3, 2017

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