BC Hydro CEO leaving his post

VANCOUVER – Bob Elton is leaving his post as president and CEO of BC Hydro, the crown corporation announced on Wednesday.

Elton will be "transitioning" to a new dual role as special advisor to Hydro’s board of directors and executive chair of its high tech research facility, Powertech Labs, according to a November 4 letter to Hydro employees from Hydro board chair Dan Doyle.

There was no information about whether Elton resigned or has been moved aside by government.

"Bob has modeled leadership based on strong values and a commitment to building a safer workplace and a strong and diverse workforce that is ready to meet the needs of customers now and in the future," Doyle said in the letter.

Elton has presided with civility and aplomb over Hydro during a time of unprecedented change in its mandate, including introduction of a two-tiered rate system for residential customers, a world-leading conservation program, a multi-billion dollar electricity system upgrade and significant expansion of independent power production.

But with Premier Gordon Campbell this week announcing a full-blown review of the B.C. electricity sector it appears that the Liberals seek a new leader for what appears to be a government-directed transformation of the crown corporation including expansion of electricity exports to the United States.

Doyle did not name a replacement, stating that over the next few weeks, Hydro’s board "will be undertaking a search to find the next leader of our organization. I will communicate with you as soon as that process is complete," he said.