British Columbia is aggressive in its determination to remain a global leader in clean and renewable energy. This is not surprising, given that a recent PricewaterhouseCoopers study predicts that BC’s independent power sector could inject $26.1 billion into the provincial economy by 2020.  Determined to maximize this economic potential, the BC government recently established a Green Energy Advisory Task Force and a new Cabinet Committee on Climate Action and Clean Energy.

Premier Campbell, in announcing the new task force and committee, stated that “[c]lean energy will be a cornerstone of BC’s climate action plan that will create jobs, support families and generate new economic activity throughout British Columbia”.  He went further, stating that these new entities will help BC develop its resources, maximize its opportunities and establish the province’s potential as the “supplier of choice for clean power”.

The new task force is dedicated to advance BC’s green energy potential and to maximize clean energy opportunities within the province.  And as Premier Campbell eluded above, the task force will also focus on fostering the export of green electrons to Alberta and the United States. The task force must work quickly to meet its January 2010 deadline for providing its recommendations to the new cabinet committee. 

Task Force Groups
The task force groups consist of clean energy experts, energy consultants, renowned climate experts, leading academics, First Nation representatives and environmentalists.  As Chair of one of the task forces, I’ve had the opportunity to experience first-hand the government’s commitment to this area, as well as the high level of interest from business and the community.

Blair Lekstron, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, announced the committee members of the new task force on November 20, 2009, stating that “[t]he new members of the Green Energy Advisory Task Force are leaders who will help us to turn green energy potential into real economic, environmental and social benefits for British Columbians”.

These groups will report directly to the new cabinet committee, and each is charged with a specific mandate: 
Procurement and Regulatory Reform – focusing on recommending improvements to BC Hydro’s procurement process to enhance clarity, certainty and competitiveness;

• Export Market Development and Carbon Trading – focusing on maximizing the value of BC’s green-energy attributes in all power sold beyond BC borders, and to ensure that emerging carbon trading regimes treat BC’s green energy exports favourably;
• Community Engagement and First Nations Partnerships – focusing on ensuring that communities and First Nations see clear economic and employment benefits, as well as input opportunities, regarding project development in their areas;
• Resource Development – focusing on impediments to and best practices for planning and permitting new projects to ensure sustainable development, and to consider how forestry and less-established clean energy sectors (i.e. solar, tidal and wave) can increase their competitiveness in BC.

The Cabinet Committee
The new cabinet committee will include the Premier, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Blair Lekstrom and other cabinet ministers whose portfolios are important to the development of clean energy, and existing members of the climate action committee. Additionally, the committee will include the chairs of BC Hydro and the BC Transmission Corporation.

"The task force groups and the new cabinet committee will help us advance our climate action goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a greener economy that generates well-paying jobs while maintaining high environmental standards for both the permitting process and the operational phase of any project that gets built," said Environment Minister Barry Penner.

Other Recent Developments
Five days before announcing the task forces, the BC government issued a legislative direction to the British Columbia Utilities Commission.  This direction ordered that the BCUC no longer rely on the aging gas-fired Burrard Thermal plant for a supply of firm energy. This direction is not only consistent with the Province’s plans to focus on clean and renewable energy, but BC Hydro estimates that phasing out Burrard Thermal will also save tens of millions of dollars in maintenance and capital costs in the coming decade.

Accelerating the Clean Power Agenda
British Columbia has clearly accelerated its clean power agenda. The Province is dedicated to become electricity self-sufficient by 2016, and will do so by developing green power that creates new economic and employment opportunities. The new task force and cabinet committee will provide expertise and analysis that will help maximize these opportunities, and will foster BC’s emergence as a powerhouse in the global green energy sector. 

Cheryl Slusarchuk is a partner in the Vancouver office of McCarthy Tetrault LLP practicing in the business law and technology groups. She is the president of the B.C. Premier’s Technology Council and serves as Chair of the B.C. Climate Action Team.

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