B.C. RECOGNIZED AS LEADER ON ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY

British Columbia is being recognized as a pioneer and leader in climate change and energy policies.

The Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance’s (CEEA) annual report card, ranking Canada’s provinces and jurisdictions on promoting energy efficiency, gave British Columbia the top score of A+ according to a report released in August, 2008. This rating was based on a 2007 assessment before numerous new initiatives were announced in Balanced Budget 2008.

Canada West Foundation issued a report in September entitled Canada’s Power Play, stating that British Columbia has arguably the most aggressive climate change and energy policies in Canada, which is helping to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. It points out that B.C. is a pioneer on the policy front and could play an important leadership role within Canada when it comes to policy development.

Since 2002, the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources has increased its efforts to make B.C. a world leader in the sustainable and efficient use of energy. It supports government action on energy efficiency and climate change through initiatives such as the LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program, a three-year, $60 million program that gives homeowners access to rebates for energy assessments and incentives for energy-efficiency upgrades to existing homes. The Ministry is also spending $20 million over 4 years to do energy planning, invest in efficiency projects, and develop alternative electricity generation projects to reduce diesel use in off-grid remote communities.

The BC Energy Plan, with a vision for clean energy leadership, sets out many alternative energy choices such as bioenergy, geothermal, hydrogen and fuel cell technology, natural gas, small hydro projects, solar, tidal and wind. An updated report card for the BC Energy Plan is in the works and should be released in early 2009.

[News Release]

Minister Neufeld at the Brilliant Dam Expansion Project opening

BRILLIANT EXPANSION PROJECT POWERHOUSE OFFICIALLY OPENED

The Brilliant Expansion Project powerhouse officially opened in June 2008, moving 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.

The $205 million project has created employment for more than 400 workers, 85 per cent of whom are local residents; and infused nearly $44 million into the local economy through the purchase of goods and services and another $50 million in wages.

Compared to generating an equivalent amount using fossil fuels, the new powerhouse represents a reduction of 450,000 tonnes a year of climate-changing carbon dioxide emissions.

The Brilliant Expansion Project is a joint venture of Columbia Power Corporation and the Columbia Basin Trust.

Honourable Richard Neufeld
Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources

MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER

2008 has been a banner year for oil and gas in British Columbia.

We said in the Energy Plan that we would make B.C. among the most competitive oil and gas jurisdictions in North America. We're doing it. Year-to-date oil and gas rights sales are at a record high of $2.2 billion, and B.C.'s established natural gas reserves have increased for the eighth straight year.

British Columbia continues to be one of the world's most prominent mining regions. According to a recent industry report, the value of the B.C. mining industry was $6.9 billion with over half of Canadian exploration and mining companies based right here in British Columbia.

We are the first province in Canada to include resource revenue-sharing with First Nations on new mine developments. Revenue sharing is one of the key elements of the New Relationship and will help to build a more inclusive and prosperous future for all British Columbians.

The Community Action on Energy and Emissions (CAEE) program has exceeded Energy Plan expectations, with 62 local governments and First Nations participating and leading the way in energy efficiency and conservation that will help us to meet B.C.'s future clean energy needs and achieve electricity self-sufficiency.

Clean energy remains at the forefront. We have set an ambitious target of acquiring 50 per cent of BC Hydro's incremental resource needs through conservation by 2020. For new supply, we are looking to resource options ranging from upgrades to our existing system, run-of-river small hydro, wind, geothermal, biomass, heat recovery and ocean energy, to customer-based generation and large scale hydro projects.

With the world facing its worst financial crisis in decades, the effects are being felt everywhere. However, thanks to our diversified economy and fiscal prudence, British Columbia is in far better shape to deal with this crisis than most North American jurisdictions.

We remain committed to the vision outlined in the BC Energy Plan, and will continue to respond to challenges and opportunities by delivering innovative, sustainable ways to develop B.C.'s energy resources.

Minister of State for Mining, The Honourable Gordon Hogg is welcomed to an investment session by the Tokyo Stock Exchange

ASIA PACIFIC TOUR UPDATE

Gordon Hogg, Minister of State for Mining, embarked on an Asia-Pacific investment mission in November to assure Asian investors that B.C.’s international reputation as one of the world’s most prominent mining regions offers attractive investment opportunities.

The delegation, composed of mining industry representatives, First Nation and Ministry staff, met with Chinese, Japanese and Korean officials, mining companies and investors to promote opportunities for investing in exploration activities and mine development in British Columbia.

Minister Hogg also attended the China Mining Congress in Beijing, which is Asia’s largest mining exhibition, from Nov. 11-13.  

Minister Neufeld speaks at the Oil and Gas Conference held in Fort St. John in October

OIL AND GAS WEEK RECOGNIZES GROWING INDUSTRY

In recognition of the record-breaking year in land rights sales and positive industry growth, Oct. 5 -11 was proclaimed as Oil and Gas Week in B.C. Oil and Gas Week coincided with the 2008 Oil and Gas Conference which took place in Fort St. John in early October.

The theme of this year’s event was Energy Forever.

Workshops at the event included presentations on workforce development, the changing landscape for Oil and Gas in B.C., future projects and developments, Northern B.C. Business Advantage Program, pipeline and transmission developments and community projects. The presentations can be accessed on the Conference web page at www.fortstjohn.ca/energyforever.html

During the 1990s the province averaged $464 million dollars in revenue; revenue from oil and gas land rights sales have topped $2 billion so far in fiscal year 2008 which is almost double what was received in 2007. July’s oil and gas land rights sales shattered 10 key oil and gas land rights sales records.

The province’s ultimate potential for conventional natural gas in northeast B.C. is estimated to be 51.9 Tcf. Conventional gas-in-place estimates for other areas of B.C., including the offshore, are 60 Tcf.

B.C.’s unconventional resources are estimated to be at least five times the conventional ones. The Horn River Basin in northeast B.C. is considered to be the largest shale gas play in Canada.

B.C. is estimated to have almost 483 billion cubic meters (17.1 trillion cubic feet) of remaining Established Reserves of Raw Natural Gas. This is the highest level in the province’s history and is a 164 per cent increase over 2000 year-end raw gas reserves.

The LiveSmart BC booth at the Canadian Home Builders' Association Victoria Fall Home Show provided attendees with information about energy-efficient choices that can save them hundreds and even thousands of dollars

LIVING SMART IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

British Columbians across the province share a common concern over the future of our environment. We all have a role to play by making environmentally responsible choices. The LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program will invest $60 million over three years to help British Columbians reduce their carbon footprint and energy costs through upgrades to their homes and small businesses.

The LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program ensures that British Columbians have an opportunity to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and save on future energy costs. This program has been very successful as outlined below.

• Between April 1 and October 31, 11,618 British Columbians have entered the LiveSmart BC Efficiency Incentive Program and completed their initial energy assessment (already more than twice the 5,046 last year before LiveSmart). This is 83 per cent of the 2008/09 target of 14,000.

• In this same time period, 2,288 LiveSmart BC Efficiency Incentive Program participants have completed their retrofits (more than five times the total last fiscal before LiveSmart).
   
• Fourteen per cent of those completing the program have insulated their basement, 18 per cent have insulated their attic, 57 per cent have upgraded their heating system, 35 per cent have replaced their windows and doors, eight per cent have insulated their walls and 87 per cent have done draft proofing.
   
• LiveSmart cheques began to be issued on October 15, 2008 and so far 398 cheques worth a total of over $453,000 have been issued.
   
• LiveSmart participants who have completed the program to date will save more than 5,494 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year, averaging 2.34 tonnes per house. The average energy savings per home is 33 per cent.
   
• British Columbians are showing greater energy savings than participants in the rest of Canada, with a 33 per cent improvement by British Columbians compared to a 23 per cent improvement nationally.
   
• LiveSmart BC also offers free Small Business energy efficiency walkthroughs, and the program has completed 569 as of September 30, 2008. A part of this program is offering a direct installation of pre-rinse spray valves, and 1,748 have been installed, delivering savings of 15,115 GJ of natural gas and 647,400 kWh of electricity per year.  www.livesmartbc.ca