Kootenay Rockies MLA Pete Davis is pushing BC Hydro and the Ministry of Energy to find a way to improve power distribution in the Elkford area, citing chronic outages that have plagued the Elk Valley community.

“As the MLA for the Kootenay Rockies, I’m reaching out with real urgency about what’s happening in Elkford, British Columbia. After enduring 28 power outages this year, people are frustrated, and they have every right to be,” Davis stated in a letter BC Hydro president and CEO Chris Mr. O’Riley and Minister of Energy Adrian Dix.

“We’re heading into another long, cold winter, and this situation has become dangerous. Elkford is not Vancouver it gets bitterly cold here, temperatures can drop below –30°C, and the snow piles up quickly. In these conditions, electricity isn’t a luxury; it’s a lifeline.

“When the power goes out this often, it puts people’s safety at serious risk. Outages like this in the middle of winter can be life-threatening, especially for seniors, young families, and those who rely on electric heat to stay warm.

“These repeated outages touch every part of life in Elkford. Families are struggling to keep their homes warm, businesses are losing money, and schools and childcare centers are left in the dark. Many residents are now facing costly repairs or replacements for appliances and heating systems damaged by power surges and sudden shutoffs. This simply isn’t fair to the people of Elkford,” Davis outlined.

“Twenty-eight outages in one year – many of them lasting multiple hours at a time – is completely unacceptable. No community in British Columbia should be left in the dark like this.

“I’m asking and sincerely pleading for immediate action from BC Hydro and the Ministry of Energy. Something needs to be done now to fix this problem and ensure Elkford has a safe and reliable power supply, both this winter and in the years ahead.

“The people of Elkford, and I as their MLA, are counting on your leadership and your commitment to finding a real solution. We look forward to your response and to seeing clear steps taken to make this right,” MLA Davis concluded in his Nov. 12 letter.

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