WHEREAS Dual Fuel Coal Biomass Generation energy plants have not been established to date in the Province of British Columbia and applications to establish this type of energy source have been made through the provincial government; AND WHEREAS the impact from Dual Fuel Coal Biomass Generation plant emissions has the potential to severely impair quality of life, the environment, health and tourism throughout the province: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the UBCM lobby the provincial government to place a moratorium on Dual Fuel Coal Biomass Generation energy plants, such that the Province can investigate industries that will have the least amount of impact on the environment and quality of life by applying the most advanced technology; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the UBCM lobby the provincial government to require an Environmental Assessment when requested by the local government for any proposed Independent Power Project under the current threshold of 50MW.
Ministry of Environment The Environmental Assessment Act Act provides for proposed Independent Power Projects IPPs to enter the environmental assessment EA process under three scenarios: - Under section 10, if it is a power plant with a rated name plate capacity of 50 MW or greater and the Executive Director considers that the project may have significant adverse environmental, economic, social, heritage or health effects; - Under section 7, if the proponent requests to opt in to the EA process and the Executive Director grants the application by designating the project as reviewable; and, - Under section 6, if the minister is satisfied that the project may have a significant adverse effect and the designation is in the public interest. In 200203, a major review of the 50 MW threshold for power plants was undertaken by the Environmental Assessment Office EAO as a result of some key stakeholders wanting the threshold increased. UBCM was consulted and supported EAOs conclusion that the threshold remain at 50 MW. If the intent of the above resolution is to amend the legislation to require an EA whenever requested by local government, this is not a recommended solution. This could have significant economic implications for future investors and not only for Independent Power Projects, but also for other sectors e.g. mining, oil and gas. Local government are advised they already have the ability to request an EA for Independent Power Projects below the 50 MW threshold. As long as the minister is satisfied that there may be a significant adverse effect, and that the designation is in the public interest, the minister can order the project reviewable. MINISTRY OF ENERGY, MINES AND PETROLEUM RESOURCES The BC Energy Plan: A Vision for Clean Energy Leadership released in February, 2007 has a policy action requiring zero greenhouse gas emissions from any coal thermal electricity facilities. Local governments currently have the ability to request an environmental assessment EA for Independent Power Projects below the 50 MW threshold, as long as there is reasonable concern that the project may have significant adverse environmental, health, social or economic effects, and that the designation is in the public interest. Requiring an EA whenever local governments request it would result in negative economic implications across several sectors. Existing federal and provincial regulatory processes assess the potential impacts of IPP proposals, including impacts on the environment, existing land uses, recreational uses, other resource uses and First Nations asserted rights and title. The Province is confident that those processes, together with the involvement of local governments, will ensure the development of IPPs occurs in a responsible and sustainable manner. The Union of BC Municipalities collaborated with the Environmental Assessment Office and the Ministries of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Environment, and Agriculture and Lands on the preparation of a mini-guide which provides information on the opportunities for local government and public input into provincial IPP regulatory processes. This document includes flowcharts depicting the provincial regulatory processes associated with water licences, Crown land tenures, and environmental assessment certificates.