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For The Record

FACTS ON THE BC ENERGY PLAN

Sept. 9, 2008
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
 
Letters to the Editor
Opinion Editorials
 

Here are the facts on the BC Energy Plan - A Vision for Clean Energy Leadership:

  • Clean or renewable electricity generation will continue to account for at least 90 per cent of our total power generation, with no nuclear power.
  • All new electricity generation plants will have zero net greenhouse gas emissions and existing thermal generation power plants will have zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2016.
  • B.C. is committed to achieve electricity self-sufficiency by 2016.
  • B.C. will set targets to acquire 50 per cent of BC Hydro’s incremental resource needs through conservation by 2020.
  • B.C. commits to having the best coalbed gas practices in North America by not allowing companies to surface discharge produced water. Any re-injected produced water must be injected well below any domestic water aquifer.
  • The Province has also announced its Energy Efficient Buildings Strategy which supports the goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent from 2007 levels by 2020 as well as electricity self-sufficiency by 2016.
  • The Province is encouraging small power production solutions through a purchase price agreement for electricity from projects of up to 10 megawatts.
  • The Province has established the Innovative Clean Energy Fund which provides $25-million to help develop new and alternative energy solutions such as geothermal, tidal and wind.
  • The Province supports the BC Bioenergy Strategy which takes advantages of B.C.’s abundant sources of renewable energy. This initiative will turn the challenges of the mountain pine beetle infestation into new opportunities and looks to future bioenergy technologies.
  • The Bioenergy Strategy is a key contributor to helping B.C.’s partners in the Western Climate Initiative achieve the emission reduction target goals.

Letters to the Editor

August 10, 2009
Letter to the Editor
BC HYDRO NOT FOR SALE
By Blair Lekstrom
Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
Submitted: Courier-Islander (Campbell River)
Status: Published Aug. 12, 2009
I am writing to reassure Mr. Andersen (The Practice at BC Hydro to commit to payment contracts with Private Power Producers, August 7, 2009) and the citizens of British Columbia, once again, that the government has no intention of selling off BC Hydro and its heritage assets.

In 2003, the BC Hydro Public Power Legacy and Heritage Contract Act confirmed that the generation, storage, transmission and distribution assets of British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority are not to be sold or disposed of. [Read More]

August 3, 2009
Letter to the Editor
CONCERN OVER BCUC DECISION WILL NOT IMPACT CLEAN ENERGY COMMITMENT
By Blair Lekstrom
Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
Submitted: The Province
Status: Published Aug 5, 2009
In response to a recent Michael Smyth column in your paper (Watch for Libs to rein in run-of-river spoilers, August 2, 2009), I would like to assure your readers that the recent decision by the independent BC Utilities Commission will not impact our commitment to clean renewable energy in B.C.

The BCUC has not shut the door on clean, renewable energy. In fact, the Utility Commission just accepted four electricity purchase agreements for the successful biomass projects in phase one of BC Hydro's Bioenergy Call for Power. [Read More]

April 8, 2009
Letter to the Editor
BC’S RIVERS OWNED BY BRITISH COLUMBIANS
By Blair Lekstrom
Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
Submitted: Vancouver Sun
Status: Not Published
Please find attached a letter I have sent to the Chair of BC Hydro, with respect to false and misleading allegations being made by the Opposition with respect to alternative energy and ‘ownership’ of B.C.’s rivers... [Read More]

March 10, 2009
Letter to the Editor
MISLEADING AT BEST
By Blair Lekstrom
Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
Submitted: Prince George Citizen
Status: Published Thursday, March 12, 2009
Mr. Clements needs to check the facts about independent power production in the Province ("Run of the rivers; Campbell strangles B.C. Hydro's growth," March 6, 2009)... [Read More]

March 9, 2009
Letter to the Editor
POWER WE DON'T NEED AT A PRICE WE CAN'T AFFORD
By Blair Lekstrom,
Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
Submitted: Similkameen Spotlight
Status: Not Published
Rafe Mair is noted for his opinionated views and it's no different when it comes to power production in British Columbia. Unfortunately, his opinions don't stand up to the facts. (Power we don't need at a price we can't afford, March 3, 2009.)... [Read More]

February 13, 2009
Letter to the Editor
INDEPENDENT POWER PROJECTS PRODUCING FOR B.C.
By Blair Lekstrom
Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
Submitted: Golden Star News
Status: Not published
The Council of Canadians and NDP MLA Norm Macdonald would have more credibility in their attempts to shut down the power producing industry if they relied on facts. I'll just deal with some of the more outlandish comments... [Read More]

February 10, 2009
Letter to the Editor
TIDAL POWER IS CLEAN BUT IT'S STILL VERY EXPENSIVE
By Blair Lekstrom
Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
Submitted: Nanaimo Daily News
Status: Published Wednesday, February 11, 2009
This column leaves out some key facts and overlooks one major point – cost. Tidal power is as important to our energy needs as any other alternative power source. In fact, a tidal demonstration project is located near Victoria that generates about 77,000 kilowatt hours of electricity... [Read More]

January 29, 2009
Letter to the Editor
POWER PROJECTS BRING BENEFITS TO B.C. RESIDENTS
By Blair Lekstrom
Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
Submitted: Victoria Times Colonist
Status: Published Sunday, February 1, 2009
I was deeply disappointed when I read the letter entitled "B.C. Liberals selling out our energy future" (Jan. 28, 2009).  For many months, I have watched as a coordinated effort by unions - backed by the NDP and related organizations - oppose an industry that's bringing jobs to our rural communities... [Read More]

Opinion Editorials

July 30, 2009
Opinion Editorial
B.C. COMMITTED TO LOW CARBON FUTURE
By Blair Lekstrom,
Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
Submitted: Provincewide
Status: Published Tuesday, August 4, 2009 (Alberni Valley Times)
The recent ruling by the independent BC Utilities Commission that suggested BC Hydro should increase reliance on Burrard Thermal has understandably generated some concern.

Let me be absolutely clear. The B.C. Government has no plans to increase the use of Burrard Thermal as a result of this decision or for any other reason. We have stated clearly in the provincial Energy Plan that we support BC Hydro’s plan to replace the firm energy supply from the Burrard Thermal plant with clean, renewable energy. [Read More]

September 8, 2008
Opinion Editorial
NDP POSTURING FACTUALLY WRONG ON B.C.’S POWER SUPPLY
By Richard Neufeld
Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
Submitted: Nelson Daily News
Status: Not Published
The latest political stunt by the NDP is just another example of hypocrisy at its best. Corky Evans’ decision to send postcards to his constituents insinuating that this government is selling our rivers is not only factually wrong it borders on the ridiculous. [Read More]