A provincial public safety policy to arbitrarily shut off power in certain areas during emergencies raised concerns with Greenwood City Council during the April 14 meeting.
Councillor CJ Rhodes pointed out a letter from FortisBC regarding its public safety power shutoff policy in the information items. The letter stated as of this year, the company will be implementing a policy to proactively shut off power in areas deemed high-risk for wildfires during extreme weather.
“It is a tool of last resort utilities across North America are introducing to reduce the potential risk of wildfires,” the letter read. “We also understand the communities we serve rely on electricity, and any power outage, especially extended ones can create significant challenges, impacting both critical infrastructure and vulnerable customers.”
This policy was introduced at the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary’s last board meeting and there was significant pushback on the new policy, explained Rhodes, so this should be up for discussion at the next City Council meeting.
One of the issues raised at the regional district meeting was while it’s not devastating in communities like Greenwood for the power to go out for a while, however, it could be detrimental for rural residents who rely on consistent power for their homes, livestock and farming operations.
Residents who are not in immediate danger will lose their power with this kind of shutoff policy, putting their homes and operations at risk.
“How the lines work is there is a line at the front of the street and if it’s cut off at the beginning because there’s an issue there, everyone down that line will lose their power,” he said. “The rural residents were the most vocal about this because hundreds of people could lose their power. I’m not in favour of this and I think we need to be proactive because it sounds like they are just going to do it because they want to.”
CAO Dean Trumbley recommended Council direct staff to contact the RDKB to get more information, adding he shared Councillor Rhodes’ concerns. Mayor John Bolt agreed.
