BC Hydro: Safety Clearances around Buildings
Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025
Time: 9:00 am to 10:30 am PST
Location: Online Event Via Zoom
Cost: Free to BCABD Members
A team from BC Hydro will discuss high voltage electrical hazards. They will describe how utility-line driven clearances overlay on a typical energized distribution power pole, and talk about how these can be applied to dwellings being designed in proximity of existing power lines.
Presenters:
Katherine Middleton, P.Eng is a Specialist Engineer with BC Hydro, working on the Distribution Standards team. With over 22 years of experience at BC Hydro, Katherine has dedicated the majority of her career towards developing and refining design and construction standards for the distribution system. Her technical expertise and long-standing commitment to excellence have played a key role in shaping the reliability and efficiency of BC Hydro’s distribution infrastructure.
Mark Stevens, P.Eng is an Engineering Team Lead with BC Hydro, where he has worked for the past six years. Prior to joining BC Hydro, Mark spent a decade in the electrical consulting industry. He currently serves as Vice-Chair of CSA C22.3 No. 7 Underground Systems and is a Voting Member of CSA C22.3 No. 1 Overhead Systems, contributing to the advancement of national electrical utility standards.
Anita Ansari, P.Eng is a process engineer with a heavy industry background. She’s worked in paper mills, designed mining plants, and served as an elected school board trustee. Over the past seven years, she’s contributed to several safety initiatives at BC Hydro and is currently on the Electrical Safety team as a Senior Safety Advisor, helping third parties learn how to work safely around BC Hydro’s power system.
Stefano D'Errico is a Senior Design Manager at BC Hydro with the Distribution Design Customer Connections team. Since joining BC Hydro in 2002, Stefano has held a variety of roles across the Lower Mainland, bringing deep expertise and a customer-focused approach to every project. He and his team manage customer requests for new electrical connections, service upgrades, and alterations—guiding them from initial contact through to site energization.
Jason Rowley is a Policy Specialist working within the Market Transformation Team at BC Hydro. Jason Rowley is a seasoned senior leader with 35 years of progressive experience in regulatory strategy, government policy development, and the implementation of codes and standards. His career has centered on advancing safety, compliance, and innovation in complex urban environments, with a strong emphasis on technical oversight and policy influence. Jason comes to BC hydro after serving the City of Vancouver for 20 years as an electrical inspector, with the last eight years as Chief Electrical Inspector and Electrical Safety Manager for the City of Vancouver.