Private outdoor lighting service
We're making changes to our street lights in the province to adhere to new federal regulations around the removal of lights containing Poly-Chlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) by the end of 2025.
As part of this, the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) approved our application to terminate our private outdoor lighting service and associated rate (Rate Schedule 1755).
See our full application and the BCUC’s Order.
Why we've terminated our private outdoor lighting service
Our private outdoor lighting service is for BC Hydro-owned and maintained lighting that illuminates private property and hasn’t been offered to new premises since 1975. Lighting fixtures can be attached to one of our distribution poles on public property or attached to poles on private property.
There are approximately 3,500 residential and commercial customers that currently receive this service. Replacing all the lights under this service to meet federal regulations would come with significant costs, which could lead to a substantial rate increase for these customers.
After an extensive review of the service and options, we determined that we could no longer continue to provide this service in a practical manner.
As a result, we submitted an application to the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) in November 2020 to terminate the service.
FAQs
We must comply with federal regulations to remove all street lights in the province that contain PCBs by the end of 2025.
After an extensive review, we've determined that continuing to offer private outdoor lighting is no longer practical – there are other options that are available to customers that are less expensive in the long-term.
The installation of LED street lights is to meet federal regulations.
In 2008, new federal regulations were enacted that require all light ballasts containing Poly-Chlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) greater than 50 ppm be removed by the end of 2025.
The costs to replace and maintain lights that are mounted on our distribution poles are similar to the costs for Overhead street lighting service. As a result, we can continue to provide service under the existing Overhead street lighting Rate (Rate Schedule 1701).
The costs to replace lights mounted on poles on private property are significantly higher due to the unknown conditions of the aged poles. All poles would have to be tested and some would need to be replaced to ensure safety. These costs are significantly higher than light replacements. The additional pole testing and replacement costs would have to be recovered through the rate we charge you, which would make the service impractical when compared to other alternatives.
If you still require lighting of private property, you have the option of installing your own lights and poles and be billed for the service under the applicable rate schedule. As part of the transition, we’ll waive the applicable standard service connection charges for customers who have contacted us to indicate your preference to purchase and install their own replacement lights. This applies only to replacement lighting in the same location. Any electrical alterations, modifications, upgrades or improvements are not permitted.
Customers need to first contact a qualified electrical contractor, who can assess the property’s unique installation requirements. If the electrician indicates the need for us to complete the installation, contact us by email.
Service will continue until we stop repairing existing and start removing light fixtures beginning in October 2022.
We’ll be reaching out to each of these customers to provide more details about the transition. We'll also be updating this page with additional details as they become available.
If the lights were previously removed, no longer exists, or are no longer required, it’s important that customers contact us so that we can review and update the account.
If you have any questions about the light, contact us at LightingSupport@bchydro.com.