Unhappy Fortis customers rally together

Residents of the South Okanagan have banded together to fight the new two-tier rate structure introduced by FortisBC.

Photo: Contributed - Oliver Daily News

South Okanagan residents frustrated over FortisBC's new two-tier energy billing program gathered at the Oliver Legion Sunday.

The two-tier conservation rate structure approved last year by the BC Utilities Commission is hitting electricity users with no alternative heat, such as natural gas or wood burning stoves, hard, despite the mild winter.

Concerned citizens in the Similkameen and South Okanagan rallied Sunday at the Oliver Legion to show their solidarity against the new rates.

Many residents throughout the region have been hit hard and are frustrated they are not being listened to.

A petition against the two-tier rate structure has also been circulated.

The petition reads "To cancel and review increases imposed by FortisBC causing excessive hardship for citizens of this province."

Chris Collingwood, a resident of OK Falls, says the two tier rate structure smacks of Big Brother and more financial gain for energy companies.

Collingwood says they do not appear to be designed to get people to save energy.

Other people at Sunday's rally stated they have no options, propane is expensive and the gas lines do not run near their homes.

Local candidates vying for votes in the upcoming provincial election also weighed in on the controversy.

Green Party candidate John Kwasnica says this is how movements like the HST fight are born.

More more information, contact Kelly Wheeler at 250-498-0337.

Files from Oliver Daily News