Minister announces new legislation to speed-up clean energy projects

VANCOUVER, B.C. — New laws to fast-track clean energy projects is to be brought before the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. 

This was announced during a meeting on February 6th by Adrian Dix, minister of energy and climate solutions, BC Hydro chief executive Chris O’Reilly, and Michelle Carr, commissioner of the BC Energy Regulator (BCER).

The legislation would enable the BCER to have authority over renewable energy projects, which would accelerate the approval process because they would not have to go through multiple ministries. 

“This legislation will also be the mechanism through which we will enable the BC Energy Regulator to act as a one-window regulator for permits necessary to support the North Coast transmission line and other high-voltage electricity transmission lines,” said Dix.

It is planned to be introduced “as soon as possible” when the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia returns this month. 

Dix says faster renewable energy production will strengthen and diversify the economy, while being environmentally-friendly and contributing to reconciliation with First Nations. 

“The [new] legislation is about advancing growth and diversity within the clean energy sector and ensuring that we are building a sustainable, clean economy for everyone,” says Dix.

This comes after 18 critical mineral and energy projects – including Cedar LNG, NEBC Connector in the Fort St. John area and Enbridge T-North – are to be fast-tracked as a result of the tariff threats.

During the conference, Dix also acknowledged the project partners in the recent electricity purchase agreement with Saulteau First Nations in Taylor, as part of the province’s “call for power for wind and solar projects”. 

Dix emphasized the significant impact of the project in terms of investment and job creation.

“We’re talking about five to $6 billion in investment, thousands of jobs created, an extraordinary $3 billion in equity for First Nations and some of the best and least expensive renewable energy in the world.

“It’s a testament what you can do when you address climate change and reconciliation by advancing economic development in our communities,” said Dix. 

Carr explained the BCER is an independent regulator that oversees the full life cycle of energy resource activities in B.C.

“From site planning through to restoration, our one-window approach to permitting enables us to oversee all aspects of projects resulting in effectiveness and efficiencies for proponents, First Nations and communities contributing to B.C.’s competitive investment climate,” says Carr. 

Dix also expressed the need to strengthen the economy and build economic development amid tariff threats from the United States. 

“The premier spoke of the need to strengthen our province, to build economic development, to diversify our markets and to break through previous barriers which we clearly, with the threat from the United States and with other economic challenges, can no longer accept,” said Dix.

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