VICTORIA – Today, the B.C. Liberal government shut the door on independent expert review of the Site C project proposal, leaving B.C. Hydro customers on the hook for a loss of $800 million should the project go forward on the government’s timeline.

According to the panel’s report “B.C. Hydro projects losing $800 million in the first 4 years of operation,” under the government’s project timelines.

“Families are already facing a 28 per cent rate hike because of the B.C. Liberals’ complete mismanagement of B.C. Hydro,” said B.C. New Democrat leader John Horgan. “Now families will be on the hook for an $800 million loss because the B.C. Liberals are steamrolling ahead before the demand is there.”

The Joint Review Panel for the Site C project released its report last Thursday, recommending that the B.C. Liberal government “refer the load forecast and demand side management plan details to the B.C. Utilities Commission,” and have the BCUC review the proposed project’s costs.

Today in Question Period, B.C. Liberal Minister of Energy & Mines, Bill Bennett refused to refer the project to the BCUC to independently investigate alternatives that would limit ratepayers’ liabilities.

“Right now, we have Liberals telling Liberals what Liberals want to hear,” said Horgan. “That’s a reckless and irresponsible approach to such a massive project. We need an independent expert review to protect the ratepaying public.”