Fact No. 1: Conservation is the cheapest way to meet new demand. In fact, BC Hydro saves roughly three dollars for every dollar that it invests in Power Smart programs because conservation reduces our need to build more generating capacity or import more electricity to meet British Columbians' electricity needs.

By investing in Power Smart, BC Hydro is reducing the overall cost to meet the electricity needs in the province and in turn reducing the amount of money BC Hydro needs to collect from customers. BC Hydro's resource plan in 2008 showed that conservation would save the province $8 billion over 20 years.

Fact No. 2: B.C.'s population and economy is growing and so is the demand for power. Over the next 20 years, our customers' electricity demand is expected to grow by about 40 per cent. And while investing in our aging infrastructure is critical to meeting the demand, conservation remains the most affordable option for our customers.

Fact No. 3: Since 2007, we've saved about 2,300 gigawatt hours per year of electricity, the equivalent of powering more than 200,000 homes annually.

Fact No. 4: Our customers benefit through conservation programs. Customers have saved $150 million in bill savings through participation in Power Smart programs since 2007. British Columbians embrace energy-efficient products and conservation efforts. Our Team Power Smart has nearly 300,000 members. We've collected and recycled 270,000 fridges since 2002. We were the first province to make seasonal LED lights available to customers. We lead the pack in use of compact fluorescent lights -- nearly 80 per cent of homes in B.C. already use CFLs and benefit from the associated savings.

Fact No. 5: Conservation programs are for everyone. Customers who may be on lower or fixed incomes can get free energy savings kits, which include products like CFLs, weatherstripping and a low-flow shower head, and more than 1,800 households have participated in the Energy Conservation Assistance Program since it was launched in 2009. We have also seen a lot of success with our business and commercial customers. BC Hydro offers programs specifically tailored to help businesses reduce their electricity consumption and save on their bills. Programs include energy audits, financial and technical support to identify and implement energy efficiency projects, workplace conservation awareness, a new construction program and the creation of a new resource, the energy manager.

Fact No. 6: We work with all levels of government to ensure building codes and technology standards facilitate energy efficiency. An example is the introduction in 2008 of energy efficiency requirements for new commercial buildings in the B.C. building code.

Fact No. 7: Young people have been bitten by the conservation bug. Our recent "Invent the Future" contest for youth elicited 150 creative submissions from around the province with suggestions on how to conserve energy.

Fact No. 8: We need to build on our past success and continue to conserve even more. The provincial government has asked us to ensure that at least 66 per cent of new electricity demand is met through conservation and efficiency by 2020. It's ambitious, but we have a solid plan in place to meet the goal.

Fact No. 9: We need the help of all British Columbians to make energy conservation a way of life and a way of doing business. If everyone does their part and makes energy conservation a way of life, we can meet or exceed our clean energy goal.

Fact No. 10: You can get involved in B.C.'s energy future and conservation plans. Customers and stakeholders are invited to help shape B.C.'s clean energy future by sharing their ideas with BC Hydro. Twelve open houses at locations around the province start on March 9 and continue through until mid-April, allowing the public to provide direct suggestions on the future of electricity and to help shape BC Hydro's long-term plan for conservation.

For more information, visit bchydro.com.For those who are unable to attend the sessions, feedback can be submitted online at www.bchydro.com/irpor by emailing integrated. resource.planning@bchydro.com.

Lisa Coltart is executive director of Power Smart and Customer Care at BC Hydro.