British Columbia has introduced the Clean Energy Act, which advances 16 specific energy objectives by expediting clean energy investments, protecting the province's 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 act will strengthen British Columbia's legislated goal of electricity self-sufficiency by 2016 with a new regulatory framework for long-term electricity planning, stronger commitments to renewable electricity generation, streamlined approval processes, and new measures to promote electricity efficiency and conservation.
The act will provide BC Hydro and renewable power producers the tools necessary to establish the province as a clean energy powerhouse that enables economic growth and job creation in every region.
The act also creates a First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund to provide the opportunity for First Nations to create investment and jobs in renewable power production.
In addition, the act enshrines in law measures the province will take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, help customers save money through conservation and protect the environment.
The Clean Energy Act builds on the work of the Green Energy Advisory Task Force, appointed in November 2009.
SOURCE: Government of British Columbia
