NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 2007EMPR0023-000504 April 23, 2007	Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
AMENDMENT SUPPORTS INNOVATION, CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY

VICTORIA – Government is taking steps to establish the Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) fund identified in the new Energy Plan through an amendment to the Social Service Tax Act, announced Richard Neufeld, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources.

 

            “As stewards of this province, we all share the responsibility of ensuring we have clean, reliable energy when we need it, while protecting our environment,” said Neufeld. “British Columbians are proud to be leaders in clean, innovative technology, and the clean energy fund will help us continue to demonstrate and showcase new technology to meet the growing needs of our province and other jurisdictions.”

 

            The BC Energy Plan: A Vision for Clean Energy Leadership, announced in February 2007, identified a $25-million ICE Fund to support projects that will:

• address specific B.C. energy and environmental problems identified by government;
• showcase B.C. technologies that have a strong potential for international market demand  because they solve problems that exist both in B.C. and other jurisdictions;
• support pre-commercial energy technology that is new, or commercial technologies not currently used in B.C.; and
• demonstrate commercial success for new energy technologies.

 

The new amendment will allow a proposed 0.4 per cent levy on sales of electricity, natural gas, grid propane and fuel oil that are non-transportation related. A cap of $500,000 per year will be set for high-use energy customers. 

 

            “The average home in B.C. using natural gas space heating and electricity for the balance of energy needed will pay approximately $8 dollars per year. British Columbians can actively invest in sustainability, economic development and healthy communities now and in the years to come,” said Neufeld. “We are building a legacy of solutions and innovation for our children and future generations.”

 

The levy is expected to be implemented by July 1, 2007. 

 

In March 2006, the Alternative Energy and Power Technology Task Force recommended that the Province facilitate greater commercialization within the sustainable energy sector through the creation of a provincially led fund or resource pool that could also be used to leverage matching other federal contributions.

 

For more information on the Innovative Clean Energy Fund and the BC Energy Plan, go to www.energyplan.gov.bc.ca

 

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Media contact:	Jake Jacobs Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources 250 952-0628 250 213-6934 (cell)
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