President Black’s Statement on the Resignation of Dave Cobb, BC Hydro CEO

October 19, 2011

MoveUP President David Black offers the following statement on Dave Cobb’s resignation as CEO of BC Hydro:

This news comes as a shock to the union and our members. It adds further upheaval during a period of uncertainty.

Mr. Cobb has stated that his decision to leave has nothing to do with the challenges facing BC Hydro, including the policy and workforce directions imposed on the utility by the B.C. government. Mr. Cobb is a well respected businessman and I sincerely wish him well in his future endeavours.

But the fact remains the provincial government told him to cut staff, even though he helms an extremely profitable corporation. He was frank with BC Hydro’s employees about the difficulties wrought by the government’s self-sufficiency policy. He is also the second BC Hydro CEO to leave the crown corporation in as many years.

It’s time for the upheaval and uncertainty to stop. For years BC Hydro has provided British Columbians with low-cost, clean energy and a system that has been the envy of many. I call on the provincial government to end their political interference in our Crown jewel and to reinstate the full oversight powers of the BC Utilities Commission.