Under the recently amended Utilities Commission Act, the British Columbia Utilities Commission is directed to conduct an inquiry to make determinations with respect to British Columbia's infrastructure and capacity needs for electricity transmission. On December 11, 2008, the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources issued Terms of Reference to the Commission for the inquiry. On March 24, 2009, the Commission was formally launched.

On November 2nd 2009, the Premier announced the creation of a new cabinet committee on Climate Action and Clean Energy and four Green Energy Advisory Task Force groups to advise government on a wide range of clean energy topics. The four Task Force groups are:

• Green Energy Advisory Task Force on Procurement and Regulatory Reform;
• Green Energy Advisory Task Force on Carbon Pricing, Trading and Export Market Development;
• Green Energy Advisory Task Force on Community Engagement and First Nations Partnerships; and
• Green Energy Advisory Task Force on Resource Development.

The Government's consideration and policy responses to the recommendations from the Task Force will have implications for the development of the electricity industry in BC and the province's long-term transmission infrastructure needs.  To ensure that the implications and requirements arising from this new policy work are appropriately reflected in the Inquiry, the Minister for Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources will be issuing a revised Terms of Reference for the Inquiry. The Minister sent a letter to the Commission formally advising the Commission that any additional work on the Inquiry should be put on hold until May 31st, 2010, in order to allow for amended Terms of Reference to be issued that reflect the policy changes arising from the Task Force's work. 

As the primary transmission planner in the province, BCTC continues to be excited by the opportunity to work together with province and all British Columbians as we look ahead 30 years to determine our province's long-term transmission needs.

Past Activities

• Commission Order on Revised Regional Session Schedule
• Commission Order on Duty to Consult with First Nations

• Commission issues Scoping Decision
• BC Hydro Workshop on Resource Potential