New act powers B.C. forward with clean energy and jobs
British Columbia's new Clean Energy Act sets the foundation for a new future of electricity self-sufficiency, job creation and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, powered by unprecedented investments in clean, renewable energy across the province. Bill 17 builds upon British Columbia's unique heritage advantages and wealth of clean, renewable energy resources.
The act advances 16 specific energy objectives by expediting clean energy investments, protecting B.C. ratepayers, ensuring competitive rates, encouraging conservation, strengthening environmental protection and aggressively promoting regional job creation and First Nations' involvement in clean electricity development opportunities.
“The new Clean Energy Act opens the way to an exciting new age of economic growth and job creation by unleashing British Columbia's full potential in clean energy, power smart technologies, environmental stewardship and climate action,” said Premier Gordon Campbell. “It will maximize the value of our public heritage assets for the benefit of British Columbians by forever securing competitive rates and generating new streams of revenue for crucial public services.
“Our goal is to build on our unique competitive advantages with record investments in our historic 'two rivers' public power system and with new clean and renewable electricity investments and partnerships,” Campbell continued. “We want British Columbia to become a leading North American supplier of clean, reliable, low-carbon electricity and technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while strengthening our economy in every region.”
“British Columbia has a proud history of producing clean, reliable electricity at rates that are among the lowest in North America,” said Blair Lekstrom, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. “The Clean Energy Act builds on the work of the Green Energy Advisory Task Force with a new statutory framework to encourage new investments and jobs, strengthen BC Hydro and secure British Columbia's power needs at low rates for generations to come.”
The new Clean Energy Act sets the foundation for three areas of priority:
1. Ensuring Electricity Self-Sufficiency at Low Rates
2. Harnessing B.C.'s Clean Power Potential to Create Jobs in every Region
3. Strengthening Environmental Stewardship and Reducing Greenhouse Gases
A summary of the Task Force report can be found at http://www.gov.bc.ca/empr/index.htm
For more information on the Clean Energy Act including a complete set of backgrounders and factsheets go to www.gov.bc.ca/cleanenergyact