Companies should note that the deferred amounts will need to be repaid over a nine-month period and are subject to interest.

BC Hydro says overall power usage hasn't changed much but a survey of 500 people shows daily routines have shifted dramatically since mid-March when pandemic-related closures began.

The company says there has been a 10 per cent drop in electricity usage that could increase to 12 per cent by April of next year — double the decline caused by the 2008 recession.

The Crown corporation says it has received more than 500 reports of attempted scams since April 1.

Recreational facilities saw the steepest decline, 30 per cent, while power use fell 29 per cent in the restaurant sector and 27 per cent less in hotels.

A large region of the province which gets its power from FortisBC will not have the same bail out. 

The rate drop comes as Premier John Horgan and Energy Minister Bruce Ralston are set to make an announcement in connection to BC Hydro.

Police say a BMW was going too fast, missed making a corner and went off Elk Road before colliding with a power pole on Tuesday night.

Environment Canada said the winds were expected to die down across the region after noon.

According to BC Hydro, just under 2,000 customers were still without power as of 10 a.m.