 |
|
VANCOUVER – The Province has released an Energy Plan Report on Progress detailing the work that’s been done to date in achieving the goals and targets set out in the BC Energy Plan: A Vision for Clean Energy Leadership released in 2007, said Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Minister Blair Lekstrom.
“By setting out a clear direction for responsible energy development in our province, the BC Energy Plan has created a secure, stable energy sector that continues to thrive through these difficult economic times,” said Lekstrom. “The Energy Plan Report on Progress provides a snapshot of how B.C. is working with First Nations, industry and communities to develop innovative, sustainable energy solutions for British Columbians.”
The report provides updates on the 55 policy actions outlined in the BC Energy Plan, which focus on the province’s key natural strengths and competitive advantages of clean and renewable sources of energy. Among the highlights:
Building the B.C.
Economy
·
Since 2001 the oil and gas industry has
experienced unprecedented growth, with record land rights sales in 2008
generating $2.66 billion in revenues for
· The Infrastructure Royalty Credit Program has allocated over $316 million in infrastructure royalty credits to oil and gas companies, resulting in 72 new road-based projects and 53 new pipeline projects, representing new total capital investment in B.C. of over $632 million.
· The $205 million Brilliant Expansion Project has moved British Columbia a step closer to electricity self-sufficiency by adding 120 megawatts – enough power to supply 50,000 homes – of clean, renewable energy to the province’s power grid while creating 400 jobs at peak construction and contributing nearly $44 million to the local economy through the purchase of goods and services and another $50 million in wages.
· Through the Public Sector Energy Conservation Agreement (PSECA), 74 energy efficiency retrofit projects in schools, colleges, hospitals and social housing save over 8,500 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and 21.4 gigawatt hours of electricity a year – enough to power almost 2,000 homes –while saving taxpayers $3.5 million annually.
· Independent Power Projects (IPPs) provide approximately 13 per cent of BC Hydro’s domestic electricity supply, producing clean electricity from sources such as run-of-river and biomass. At present, there are 1,000 construction workers building IPPs in rural B.C. and an additional 140 people operating completed power projects.
Developing Clean Energy Solutions
· Homeowners across the province are eligible for rebates through the LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program which invests $62 million over four years to help British Columbians reduce their energy costs and carbon footprint through upgrades to homes and businesses.
· B.C.’s clean or renewable electricity generation accounts for 90 per cent of total generation, placing the province among the top jurisdictions in the world.
· Since 2008, the Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund has approved investments of over $47 million in 34 projects in communities across B.C., representing a total value of over $174 million to help develop clean and renewable energy technologies for British Columbians in areas such as solar, geothermal, tidal, wind, and bioenergy.
· Phase Two of BC Hydro’s Bioenergy Call for Power, focusing on larger-scale biomass projects and innovative, community-level electricity supply solutions using biomass, was announced in March, 2009. The four successful proposals in Phase One of the call will generate a combined total of 579 gigawatt hours of electricity annually, or enough to power more than 52,000 homes, while providing jobs and economic opportunities in rural communities.
Energy Security
· BC Hydro is investing $3.6 billion in upgrades for heritage asset power plants, including existing dams like the W.A.C. Bennett Dam, transmission and distribution systems, and other facilities, to ensure these resources continue to benefit British Columbians.
· The BC Hydro Public Power Legacy and Heritage Contract Act and the Transmission Corporation Act ensure the ongoing public ownership of BC Hydro’s heritage assets and the British Columbia Transmission Corporation.
· The BC Hydro Standing Offer Program for clean, renewable or high-efficiency co-generation projects less than 10 megawatts - enough electricity to power 4,000 households – is helping to get more small clean, renewable power projects onto the grid and expanding B.C.’s clean energy supply.
· New terms of reference will guide the British Columbia Utilities Commission in looking ahead 30 years at the long-term, province-wide electricity transmission needs of British Columbia.
The Energy Plan Report on Progress is available at www.energyplan.gov.bc.ca.
-30-
|
Contact: |
Jake Jacobs Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources 250 952-0628 250 213-6934 (cell) |
|
|
|
||
|
For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
||
