COPE RATIFIES AGREEMENT WITH BC HYDRO

VICTORIA – A two-year agreement under the Province’s 2010 mandate has been ratified between BC Hydro and members of the Canadian Office and Professional Employees (COPE), announced Finance Minister Colin Hansen.

$53 MILLION FOR JULY NATURAL GAS AND PETROLEUM SALE

VICTORIA – The July 2010 natural gas and petroleum sale resulted in over $53 million in bonus bids, bringing the calendar year to date total to over $662 million and exceeding expectations for this month’s sale.

JUNE RIGHTS SALE THE FIFTH LARGEST ON RECORD

VICTORIA – The June 2010 natural gas and petroleum rights sale resulted in over $404 million in bonus bids, bringing the calendar year total to over $609 million, announced Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Minister Bill Bennett.

PROVINCE TAKES ACTION TO MANAGE BOREAL CARIBOU

VICTORIA – The B.C. government is acting to manage British Columbia’s boreal caribou population by introducing Resource Review Areas (RRAs) and by enabling habitat restoration and mitigation actions to take place in and across the province’s boreal caribou ranges.

OIL AND GAS SETBACKS ENHANCED FOR SCHOOLS AND HOMES

VICTORIA – A 1,000-metre exclusion zone plus a 1,000-metre enhanced management area around schools and community centres, along with a new 250-metre mediated drilling distance, plus a 250-metre enhanced management area for residences, will help address concerns for people living near new oil and gas developments.