Q & A: Tom Hackney, Sierra Club

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Tom Hackney's first dealings with BC Hydro weren't exactly cooperative. Today, the Victoria-based Hackney represents the Sierra Club on several BC Hydro advisory committees and says, "BC Hydro gives the impression they are serious about following through on a very substantial conservation and efficiency agenda, so it all seems quite hopeful."

As president of the GSX Concerned Citizens Coalition, Hackney helped stop the proposed GSX natural gas pipeline to Vancouver Island in 2000. He later represented several groups – including the Sierra Club – BC, and the BC Sustainable Energy Association – to intervene in BC Utilities Commission reviews of BC Hydro's energy plans.

Those groups opposed gas-fired power and worked to ensure that the costs of greenhouse gas emissions are factored into energy decisions.

Hackney represents the Sierra Club – BC on BC Hydro advisory committees. Co-author of the BC Sustainable Energy Association policy document Sustainable Energy Policies for British Columbia, Hackney is particularly interested in stimulating social and political action to address global climate change.

When did you become involved with BC Hydro's engagement initiatives?
My stakeholder activities – or the co-operative ones – began around 2005 to 2006. Intervening in the Utilities Commission's review of BC Hydro's REAP plan (Resource Expenditure and Acquisition Plan), the groups I represented called for an update to Hydro's conservation plans and the creation of a stakeholder's advisory committee on conservation. BC Hydro agreed. They began the 2007 Conservation Potential Review and created the Electricity Conservation and Efficiency Advisory Committee. Hydro called for volunteers to contribute to these, and they accepted my application to participate.

I continue to sit on the EC&E Advisory Committee, and I'm a member of the Rates Working Group. The groups I represent – BCSEA, Sierra Club and Peace Valley Environment Association – continue to participate in most of BC Hydro's proceedings before the Utilities Commission, including the Long-Term Acquisition Plan, Hydro's Call for Clean Power and other proceedings.

What motivates you as a stakeholder?
I am strongly motivated to support electricity conservation and renewable electricity as one part of the broader goal of addressing climate change by reducing the use of fossil fuels. The groups I represent are very interested in looking beyond immediate issues of price to address some of the most important energy issues society faces today, issues that will have a profound effect on how well our society thrives in the future. I note that Hydro's CEO, Bob Elton, expressed a vision of going beyond the conservation achievements outlined in the Conservation Potential Review and actually reducing over-all electricity demand in B.C. in the long term.

Do you feel your stakeholder interests are given due consideration?
I think they are. I have a very positive impression of the committees and how they function.

What part of the work do you enjoy most?
I enjoy contributing to a proactive process that's focused on finding solutions and that involves some very smart and dedicated people.