WHEREAS the Province of British Columbia and the Union of BC Municipalities, by Memorandum of Understanding, are committed to: - Fostering co-operative inter-governmental relations, - Recognizing the jurisdiction and accountability of both orders of government, - Facilitating the responsible development of clean, renewable energy sources to meet the energy needs of British Columbians, - Providing efficient and effective Independent Power Project IPP review and approval processes for both orders of government; AND WHEREAS amendments to the Utilities Commission Act, proposed by Bill 30, will have significant impacts for local governments throughout the province when the full scope and potential of IPPs are considered e.g., wind, geothermal, coalbed methane and run of river projects and will serve to: - Eliminate local government involvement and engagement in IPP review and approval processes, - Remove jurisdiction of local government over IPPs on Crown land, - Remove local government from the responsible development of clean, renewable energy sources, - Impair co-operative inter-governmental relations: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province of British Columbia be requested to repeal Section 53 of Bill 30 and return to working with the Union of BC Municipalities to complete the commitments of the Memorandum of Understanding on Independent Power Projects.
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Government is confident the Utilities Commission Act amendment passed this spring is in the best interests of the province. With this amendment, government has ensured legislation is current and that all producers of power be they public or private can move forward once they have provincial and federal approval. Local governments realize from their own experience that legislation is always a balance sometimes between competing interests. Difficult decisions must be made at times in support of the common good over local interests. These small scale hydro projects are good energy projects they are clean, with low emissions, and often done with the support of area First Nations. Independent Power Projects need certainty that after making major investments of time and money in getting federal and provincial approval for project applications they will not be prevented from proceeding by local government zoning.