Nelson Hydro is aware of community concerns regarding the recently advertised draft Pest Management Plans (PMPs).
Please join Nelson Hydro virtually or in-person for a discussion of options for the proposed Pest Management plans within Nelson Hydro rights-of-way.
Event Details:
📅 Date: Tuesday, November 25th
⏰ Time: 3:30pm to 5:00pm
📍 Location: Northshore Hall, 675 Whitmore Rd, Nelson
💻 Virtual: Available via Microsoft Teams*
*meeting link will be sent on the day of the event for those that registered
Vegetation management in the rights-of-way is primarily manual using mechanical removal, such as mowing, trimming, and cutting. Nelson Hydro has never and has no plans for widespread application of pesticides in its rights-of-ways. Nelson Hydro has only applied glysphosate twice within the last 10-years, both times at our locked, fenced facilities.
Nelson Hydro is open to making changes to its Rights-of-Way PMP and this workshop is to discuss the options and path forward to improve the plan.
For more information on pest management and to provide feedback on the proposed plans, please visit: https://letstalk.nelson.ca/pest-management
To register for the in-person or on-line event, please visit: www.envoke.com
UPDATE: November 17, 2025: The Let's Talk Engagement session is now live. Residents are invited to learn more and share input.
November 14, 2025
Nelson Hydro is aware of community concerns regarding the recently advertised draft Integrated Pest Management Plans (PMPs) and would like to take this opportunity to share additional information and clarity around the process.
What is an Integrated Pest Management Plan?
An Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP) outlines the methods used to manage vegetation such as invasive plants around power poles and other utility-owned infrastructure. Nelson Hydro is required by the Province to file a IPMP every five years.
The IPMP ensures that:
Read more about integrated pest management and see the draft IPMPs here.
Why is vegetation management necessary?
If left unmanaged, vegetation can create safety and fire hazards that compromise the reliability of the electrical system and pose safety risks to crews working in the field. Most often, this involves fast-growing brush and tall plants near power poles and lines, but increasingly, invasive species like Knotweed are also becoming a concern.
What is included in Nelson Hydro’s IPMP?
Nelson Hydro uses several methods to control vegetation around substations, underneath power lines and around power poles. The most common is manual and mechanical removal, such as mowing, trimming, and cutting.
The IPMP also includes clear guidelines for when chemical treatment may be necessary. We understand the community’s concern about pesticide use; these products are only used as a last resort, by certified and trained applicators, and applied using precise, targeted methods such as paste or wand application. These techniques minimize product use and ensure accuracy.
Nelson Hydro’s IPMP aligns with other utilities across the province, complies with all regulatory requirements, and follows the City of Nelson’s Pesticide Use Bylaw.
What about glyphosate?
Glyphosate (commonly known as Roundup) is included in Nelson Hydro’s proposed IPMP only as a last resort, when other methods have consistently failed. During the current IPMP period (2020–2025), glyphosate was used only twice—both times within fenced Nelson Hydro substations. In each case, all safety and environmental protocols were strictly followed.
There have been no applications in 2025.
Next steps
The City of Nelson and Nelson Hydro take environmental health seriously and appreciate the community’s engagement on this topic. A Let’s Talk engagement opportunity will be available, where residents are invited to learn more, ask questions, and share input. The link will be shared on Nelson Hydro social media channels once the site is live, and the link will be added to this post as well. We are also organizing a public engagement session specifically on this topic. The date, location and links will be shared on Nelson Hydro social media channels once all of the details are confirmed.
Nelson Hydro is submitting a two-year rate application to the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC). This means that the rates will be set in advance for 2026 and 2027 at the same time.
Learn about the regulatory context, how rates work, the Nelson Hydro budget, and the proposed rate increases for 2026 and 2027.
Share your feedback: 2026-2027 Electrical Rates | Lets Talk Nelson
September 29, 2025
What is happening during the strike?
From the Canada Post website: “Canada Post’s operations will shut down during a national strike… mail and parcels will not be processed or delivered for the duration of the national strike, and some post offices will be closed.”
How will the postal strike impact residents and customers?
The strike means that you may need to change how you get information about your accounts and how you pay your bills.
How can I access my Nelson Hydro bills during the mail disruption?
You can access your Nelson Hydro account online and sign up for online billing at hydroportal.nelson.ca. If you set up your account now, your future bills will be accessible through the portal. Any prior bills will not be accessible online but can be accessible by calling 250-352-8206 or by visiting in person at City Hall.
How can I find my account balances and pay my utility bills while the strike is underway?
You can access your Nelson Hydro and water/sewer account information by calling or visiting our office. You can pay your utility bill though:
Will the City waive penalties for utility bills?
Yes, late penalties for overdue accounts will be waived for any bill issued on September 24 or later until the end of the strike. It is still your responsibility to pay your utility bills on time. In the event that the disruption continues for an extended period of time, we may revisit this decision.
For Nelson Hydro customers on the Equalized Payment Plan, you may notice an adjusted auto-payment in October as annual payment amounts are recalculated. To see your updated equal payment amounts, please sign up for e-billing at hydroportal.nelson.ca
What happens to the Equalized Payment Plan?
For Nelson Hydro customers on the Equalized Payment Plan, you may notice an adjusted preauthorized payment in September and October as the annual payment amounts are recalculated. The new adjusted amount will be withdrawn on the next bill in November or December. If you haven’t received your bill for September or October and you are on an Equalized Payment Plan, please call 250-352-8206 or visit in person at City Hall for your updated equalized payment amount.
How will the City be paying vendors?
Cheques of all amounts will be held for pick up at City Hall. If you have questions, you can call the Finance department at 250-352-5511.
How can I contact Customer Service?
Call us at 250-352-8206 or visit City Hall at Suite 101 - 310 Ward Street between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm Monday through Friday.
How can I stay informed?
To stay informed, sign up for the Nelson Hydro newsletter at nelson.ca/hydronews.
We know that the rising cost of living is hard on everyone and as members of this community, we feel it too. That’s why we keep such a close eye on our operating costs each year to ensure that our customers continue to receive safe, reliable and cost-effective electricity.
Each year, Nelson Hydro prepares a plan, budget, and proposed rates for review. Rates for customers within the City of Nelson are approved by City Council, while rates for customers in the rural service area are reviewed and approved by the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC)—an independent regulatory agency. The BCUC ensures that rural rates are fair, reasonable, and transparent for customers outside city limits, while City Council is responsible for ensuring the same within Nelson. This year, we are preparing a two-year plan, as recommended by the BCUC, to create a more efficient process than submitting annual applications.
We would like to invite the public to attend one or both of the following hybrid events:
Public Budget Workshop
📅 Tuesday, September 23, 2025
⏰ 6:30–8:30 pm
📍 Nelson City Hall – 310 Ward St.
This interactive workshop will present Nelson Hydro’s proposed 2026 and 2027 budget projections and highlight key factors that may influence future rates. The session will include a presentation followed by an open discussion, where your questions and input will help shape our planning. Online participation is available for those who RSVP in advance.
Public Open House
📅 Wednesday, November 19, 2025
⏰ 1:30–3:30 pm
📍 Nelson City Hall – 310 Ward St.
This session will present the final version of Nelson Hydro’s 2026 and 2027 budgets as submitted to City Council and the BCUC, and provide another opportunity for community members to learn more and ask questions. Like the workshop, this event will be offered in a hybrid format, with in-person attendance at City Hall or online participation available to those who register in advance.
How to Participate
Both events are free and open to the public. Community members are encouraged to attend in person at City Hall or RSVP to join online. For more information and to RSVP for online access, please visit: 🌐 https://www.nelson.ca/218/Electric-Nelson-Hydro/#registration
Nelson Hydro is preparing for the future by exploring options to replace our aging electric meters. Many of our current meters are nearing the end of their approved lifespan, and we’re working now to plan a responsible and efficient path forward.One option we’re evaluating is AMI – Advanced Metering Infrastructure. AMI is the next generation of metering technology that enables real-time energy use data, faster outage detection, and improved communication between you and your utility.We’ve launched a planning project to assess whether AMI is the right fit for our customers and our community. As part of this process, we want to hear from you.💬 Learn more and share your feedback at https://letstalk.nelson.ca/AMI-Project Your input matters as we plan for the future of metering in Nelson.
Nelson Hydro is removing the trees this week at Trafalgar Middle School along Josephine Street as part of our ongoing commitment to electrical safety. Community members are welcome to take home some firewood—primarily fir and pine. If you do, please be mindful of crews and active work zones on site.
The trees are currently growing within the limit of approach to high-voltage power lines, posing a serious safety hazard. Power lines can arc to a nearby branch even without direct contact, creating a risk to anyone near the area.
To support the replacement of the trees, Nelson Hydro has donated $10,000 to SD8 so that new trees will be planted at a safe distance from the power lines. SD8 and Trafalgar Middle School have formed a committee and are working with City of Nelson arborists to develop a replanting plan for Fall 2025.
We appreciate the community’s understanding as this important work takes place while school is out for the summer.
As of April 8th at 9:00am, this issue has been resolved.
Our apologies for any inconvenience this caused.
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Nelson Hydro is experiencing a problem with online payments in the Hydro Portal.
The error is being investigated by the service provider and is expected to be resolved within the next few days.
Customers can still make payments for their electric bill through their bank (online or in person) or in person at City Hall.
If you have any questions, please call 250-352-8206.
Thank-you for your patience.
Please disregard the letter dated April 1st, 2025 for a Hydro Equivalency Program for Electric Vehicles (EV) that is circulating to Nelson Hydro customers. This is a scam and it is false.
Thank you for your patience.
Nelson Hydro