On January 1st, 2025 the new Nelson Hydro Services Bylaw takes effect. There have been many changes since it was last updated in 2012 to how Nelson Hydro delivers service; technologies, equipment, codes and standards, materials, and staff costs.
On June 20th, 2024 Nelson Hydro hosted an open house to share the proposed updates to the bylaw with the public. It was well attended and several clarifications to the bylaw were made as a result of feedback received. BCUC approved the changes on October 21st, 2024 for rural customers and City Council approved the changes for urban customers on July 2nd, 2024.
Overall changes and clarification to the bylaw include:
- Improved organization and flow of the document.
- Incorporation of fees (billing, meters, rates, etc.) previously found in another separate bylaw for simplification.
- Differences between urban and rural fees as there are differences in travel time for both staff and vehicle rates.
- Increased fees and charges to align with current staff hourly rates, blue book vehicle rates, and meter costs.
- Clarification on landlord-tenant relationships.
- New sections for line sharing, system improvements, and service extensions.
- 48 new terms and definitions.
For a summary of the changes to the services visit the 2025 Nelson Hydro Services Bylaw page.
For more information on the new fees visit the 2025 Fees & Charges page.
To read the new bylaw effective January 1, 2025 visit the Nelson Hydro Service & Fees Bylaw document.