Chronological Overview: 1962 - 1972

1962 - 1964	1965 - 1969	1970 - 1972

1962 March. British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) is formed, amalgamating BCE and BCPC. Hugh Keenleyside and Gordon Shrum are named co-chairmen. October. Typhoon (Hurricane) Frieda hits the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, with the worst impact ever felt by BC's electric utilities. "No strike, no lockout" agreements reached with Allied Hydro Council of British Columbia (representing 17 unions) for minimizing work stoppages on Peace and Columbia projects. Uniform ("postage stamp") electric rate established for all residential customers in areas served by BC Hydro. Average service cost is 2.2 cents per kilowatt hour. 1963 July 8. Agreement on the Columbia River Treaty signed by US federal and provincial governments cover-ing the sale of downstream benefits. 1964 September. Columbia River Treaty is ratified by Canada and the US Construction begins on Columbia River projects. BC Hydro acquires Northern British Columbia Power Co., serving Prince Rupert, Stewart, and neighbouring areas. While electricity and gas rates are reduced, BC Hydro raises urban transportation fares in Vancouver and Victoria to help offset sustained operating losses. When the municipalities reject the proposed increases, the Public Utilities Commission holds hearings, after which limited fare increases are approved.
1965 Rate reductions for electricity and gas are announced for the fifth consecutive year. Alta Lake and a new ski resort at Whistler Mountain begin to receive services from the integrated system. BC Hydro's advertising campaign to promote bus travel meets with considerable success. Construction begins on a high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) interconnection between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island to help meet the rapidly growing Island demand for power. 1966 September. Electric operations of East Kootenay Power Co. are acquired. As a result of rising water levels in the Williston Reservoir, the Ingen-ika, Fort Graham, and McLeod Lake bands are forced to abandon their village sites and reserves. 1967 January. New administration centre for Central Interior Region opened in Prince George. April. BC operations of the East Kootenay Power Co. are merged with BC Hydro. Kitimat electrical distribution system is purchased from Alcan. July. Duncan Dam on the Columbia River is declared operational eight months ahead of schedule, the first of three Columbia River Treaty dams in BC and dedicated by Premier W. A. C. Bennett on August 17. September. Ceremony held to mark completion of W. A. C. Bennett Dam (formerly Portage Mountain Dam) on the Peace River. 287-kV transmission line from Kitimat to Prince Rupert is placed in service. Although ridership is up, transportation services losses continue to mount. Provincial government makes a grant of $1 million for the following year. Robert Swanson-designed battery of  air operated trumpets that sound the first notes of "O Canada" are installed on the roof of the BC Hydro headquarters in Vancouver. Communities added to Hydro's system include Atlin, Big Lake, Firvale, Hansard, Likely, Mackenzie, Nithi River, North Galiano, St. Marie's Lake, and Strathnaver. 1968 February. North America's first high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission system is energized, running between Ladner on the mainland and Duncan on Vancouver Island. September. First power from Peace River project flows into BC Hydro's integrated system as three generating units at the G. M. Shrum Generating Station, the Ray Williston Reservoir and the first 500-kV transmission line to the Lower Mainland are completed. October. BC Hydro acquires generation and distribution facilities at Masset in the Queen Charlotte Islands from C. Martin Utilities. October. Arrow Dam (renamed the Hugh Keenleyside Dam in 1969) becomes second Columbia River Treaty storage project to be completed, six months ahead of schedule. December. Distribution systems serving Sparwood and Natal are purchased from Crows Nest Industries. Construction begins on control centre for integrated electric system's microwave network constructed on Burnaby Mountain (becomes fully operational in 1971). Construction begins on Mica Dam. 1969 February. Hugh Keenleyside resigns as co-chairman. Fourth and fifth units at the G. M. Shrum Generating Station are placed in service. BC Hydro promotes electric water heaters; creates a financing plan to replace old heaters with new, more efficient units.
1970 January. Liquefied natural gas plant completed on Tilbury Island, Delta, to supply BC Hydro's Lower Mainland gas system. March. BC Hydro reports loss on operations of $403,000, the first loss in its history. Power rates and transit fares are increased to counter the loss. Annual report devotes section to environmental concerns, noting that BC Hydro "recognizes its obligation to preserve and improve the natural environment." July. Responsibility for operation of electric distribution systems of Cranbrook, Fernie, and Kimberley is assumed by BC Hydro. Bella Bella and McLeod Lake are also added to BC Hydro's system. September. Number of gas customers served by BC Hydro reaches 200,000, with 3,686 miles of mains. December. Second 500-kV transmission line is completed from Peace River to the Lower Mainland. Average residential electric service in BC Hydro's service area costs 1.9 cents per kilowatt hour. 1971 January 4-February 5. Strike by Amalgamated Transit Union. Followed by a nine-month labour dispute with IBEW that leads to some walkouts during the year. July. Acquisition of distribution system at Zeballos. December. Completion of Jordan River generating plant redevelopment. "No strike, no lockout" agreement of 1962 renewed with Allied Hydro Council of British Columbia for Peace and Columbia projects. 1972 January. Worst ice storm in decades threatens electric supply in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island for a week. Storms and snowslides damage 27 transmission towers and cut transmission lines from Peace River and Bridge River. February. BC Hydro assumes responsibility for electric system in Revelstoke. April. Responsibility for BC Hydro's rail freight service transferred to British Columbia Rail Co., as government unifies management of provincial railways. December. Gordon Shrum retires as chairman and is replaced by David Cass-Beggs. New communities added during the year include Bamfield, Cheslatta, Elkford, Marilla, Nass Camp, New Aiyansh, Nimpo Lake, Priestly, Streatham, Tahsis, Tatalrose, and Wistaria.