VICTORIA – Gordon Campbell should demand that California repay the more than $308 million his state owes B.C. taxpayers when he meets with governor Arnold Schwarzenegger tomorrow, New Democrat Energy Critic John Horgan is saying.

“If Premier Campbell has his priorities straight, he will stand up for British Columbians and demand that California pay us what we are owed before selling them more electricity,” said Horgan, the MLA for Malahat-Juan de Fuca. “California owes British Columbians more than $308 million, and that doesn’t even account for interest.”

California still owes B.C. approximately $286 million U.S. for electricity that was made available to our southern neighbours during rolling blackouts seven years ago. This translates into over $308 million Canadian at today’s exchange rate. The money has never been paid, and the dispute is currently before the U.S. courts.

“If Gordon Campbell wants to show that he is serious about protecting the best interests of British Columbians when it comes to energy policy, he will skip the photo-ops and sit down with the governor for a serious discussion about this important issue,” said Horgan. “A deal is a deal. We provided the power and Arnold should pay the bill.”

Horgan questioned the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources about the issue last month during budget estimates, but failed to receive any assurances that the Campbell government would take concrete action to insist that B.C. taxpayers receive the money owed to them by California.

“The Campbell Liberals are all over the map when it comes to energy policy and climate change. They say they want to ban dirty coal, but they will allow coal burning from industrial plants. They say they want to take action on climate change, but they refuse to actually provide any resources to do so.” said Horgan. “Celebrity visits are nice, but they do nothing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or help us meet our international commitments.”