BC's Energy Minister says it is just another case of NDP math after the opposition said BC Hydro is spending hundreds of millions of dollars for power it doesn't need.
Rich Coleman says the argument the ndp is making ignores long term fluctuations, like the price of electricity in the spot market.
He also denies the NDP claim those rates could go up.
"I don't think so I think we have a pretty good plan to average rates but I mean obviously the cost of electricity has pressures and we have had to invest in the system because in the 1990's they froze the rates which was artificially keeping the revenues down for hydro so they weren't able to invest in things like the Ruskin Dam, or power lines, or transmission systems."
Coleman says its clear under the ndp economic development would flatline because an excess of Hydro is needed for mines, natural gas plants, and others