Does BC Need A Green Energy Act?

Warren Brazier over at Megawatt has sifted the details of the BC regulator slapping down the province’s clean energy plans. He sees a silver lining in the madness:

The way I see it, this is now the opportunity to put the BC Government’s green energy and climate change policies into law in this Province. In fact, given the BCUC’s decision, now is the time for specific renewable energy and climate action legislation, such as Ontario’s Green Energy Act, which would spell out in clear, the government’s green energy and climate change goals. If BC is truly going to be a renewable energy powerhouse, now is the time to show it. It is painfully obvious that the current blend of government policy, special directions from cabinet and spotty legislation has failed, and it must be corrected immediately with direct and comprehensive legislation. And let’s also get the federal government on with the green energy legislation as well. Link

The moment may be right: the Province’s Energy Minister has been adamant there’s no way BC is going back to antiquated gas-fired plants.

And Vaughn Palmer, longtime watcher of BC’s notoriously nutty politics doesn’t foresee any backtracking to fossil fuels:

The whole Lower Mainland region would be up in arms over any attempt to treat Burrard Thermal as a practical substitute for, say, increased capacity from wind farms or run-of-the-river power.

Nevertheless, the commission used its belief in the continuing potential for Burrard Thermal as a partial justification for discounting the need for several thousand gigawatts of green power.

“Surprising,” said provincial Energy Minister Blair Lekstrom in his immediate reaction to the commission directives. Firing up Burrard Thermal was “not in the cards,” he insisted, and the government would be making that clear once he had finished digesting the entire report.

Nor were the Liberals giving up their drive for energy self-sufficiency and cleaner power, both public and private. “It’s the future,” he said.

… and before Hydro submits a revised plan to the commission, the Liberals will doubtless clarify that Burrard Thermal has no future and clean, green power most certainly does.

Here’s a round up of some of the hubub:

Warren Brazier at Megawatt

BC Sustainable Energy Association’s response: “shocking”

Vancouver Sun: Burrard Thermal won’t be cranked up

Reuters: British Columbia still committed to green power

CBC: BC Hydro’s plan for small power projects rejected

Globe and Mail: Green Premier’s agenda hits snag as energy plan rejected

Vaughn Palmer, Vancouver Sun: Hydro power plans take body blow: The BC Utilities Commission sent a shock wave through the energy sector Monday when it balked at key elements of BC Hydro’s long-term plan to acquire new sources of electricity, both public and private.

Wall Street Journal: Analysts Say Outcome Of B.C. Clean-Power Call Unclear

Reuters: Canada Green Power Stocks Fall On Surprise Ruling