BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) will be looking into gas pricing in Powell River, along with three other BC communities.
In an interview with the Peak, Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons said people of the region have been vocal and letting him and the government know about the concerns for fairness.
“I’m glad that this step has been taken by the utilities commission,” said Simons. “I’m very pleased.”
Simons said to begin to address the issue, there is a need to know where the problem originates.
“Everyone has opinions about who is getting our money and I think this will provide some answers, which everybody wants,” said Simons. “The public response, whether it’s online or in person, it’s obviously something we’re all very aware of. There’s a limited number of gas stations and a disproportionately high price. Just looking over to Comox or the Lower Mainland; I think people on the lower Sunshine Coast would like to see their prices assessed, also. This will help us answer some of the questions around the Sunshine Coast prices as well.”
Simons said there seems to be an unexplainable difference in price and an extreme difference in price, so that has the attention of the BCUC.
BC minister of energy, mines and petroleum resources Bruce Ralston, also in an interview with the Peak, said gas pricing is a big issue in Powell River and Simons has been “very persistent” in bringing this issue forward.
“He keeps reminding me of it,” said Ralston.
He said that under the Fuel Price Transparency Act, the BCUC can focus on individual cities and collect and publish additional data. He added that the BCUC will be looking into gas prices in four cities from June 1 to September 30.
“They’ll use as a control the cities of Nanaimo and Langley for comparative purposes,” said Ralston. “The period where they are going to take the prices has already started. BCUC has the capacity to do it and the legislative authority to do it so we’ll see what they come up with.”
Ralston said there is room for the companies to make a reasonable profit but the government is concerned that people are being gouged unnecessarily.
“While our government has taken strong action to get to the bottom of unexplained high gasoline prices, British Columbians in some communities are still paying significantly more compared to neighbouring regions,” stated Ralston in a media release. “I’m pleased to see the BCUC is looking into why people in Powell River, Revelstoke, Port Alberni and Squamish are paying more for gasoline, in response to public feedback from these communities. People deserve transparency and fairness when it comes to gasoline prices.”
Using its new powers under the Fuel Price Transparency Act, the BCUC will collect and publish additional data for these cities at GasPricesBC.ca, according to Ralston.
“We will remain diligent as we watch the market and keep the industry accountable,” he added in the media release. “For years, British Columbians have felt they are getting gouged when they fill up at the pump. That’s why our government asked the BCUC to do an investigation into gasoline prices.”
Ralston stated that the enquiry found a lack of competition and substantial markups in BC’s gasoline market, including a 10 to 13 cent per-litre premium being charged to drivers that the industry was unable to explain. This unexplained premium results in British Columbians paying an extra $490 million every year, according to the minister.
“Following the BCUC’s investigation, our government brought in the Fuel Price Transparency Act,” stated Ralston. “The legislation gives the BCUC the power to collect and publish information on refined fuel imports and exports, fuel volumes at refineries and terminals, and wholesale and retail prices. This will help to ensure companies are held publicly accountable for unexplained markups and price increases.”
