The Oil Drum

The BC government's throne speech yesterday contains a deep commitment to reducing emissions. Here are some highlights from the press release:

* The Province will aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 33 per cent below current levels by 2020. That target will place emissions 10 per cent under 1990 levels. Interim targets will be set for 2012 and 2016.

I keep track of these things and think that a 33% reduction from 2004 emissions (the most recent year publicly available) would place BC exactly at the 1990 level but it's a very creditable policy effort.

* The Climate Action Team will also be asked to identify practicable options and actions for making the government of B.C. carbon neutral by 2010.
* All electricity produced in B.C. will be required to have net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2016.
* Greenhouse gas emissions from the oil and gas industry will be reduced to 2000 levels by 2016, including a zero-flaring requirement at producing wells and production facilities.

* A new $25-million Innovative Clean Energy Fund will be established to encourage the commercialization of alternative energy solutions such as bioenergy, geothermal energy, tidal, run-of-the river, solar, and wind power.

On Monday, Stephen Harper announced that Canada will allocate $1.5 billion to "co-fund with the provinces technology development, energy efficiency and other major projects that will provide real results on the reduction of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions".

* Tailpipe emission standards for all new vehicles sold in B.C. will be phased in between 2009 and 2016, reducing carbon dioxide emissions from autos by 30 per cent.
* A low-carbon fuel standard will be established that will reduce carbon intensity of all passenger vehicles by at least 10 per cent by 2020.
* The energy plan will require that 90 per cent of B.C.’s electricity come from clean, renewable sources.
* Effective immediately, B.C. will become the first jurisdiction in North America, if not the world, to require 100 per cent carbon sequestration for any coal-fired electricity project. my emphasis

Two new coal-fired generating stations were announced recently, one in Princeton and the other for Tumbler Ridge. The provincial NDP were claiming a victory this morning, saying that the zero net emissions goal meant both projects would be cancelled. Did they miss this point, or do they think BC Hydro can't do it?

* The $2,000 sales tax exemption on new hybrid vehicles will be extended.
* Beginning this month, all new cars leased or purchased by the Province will be hybrids.
* A new unified B.C. Green Building Code will be developed with industry and communities.
* Legislation will be developed to phase in requirements for methane capture at landfills, the source of about nine per cent of B.C.’s greenhouse gas emissions.
* New incentives to retrofit existing homes and buildings to make them energy efficient.
* New measures will help homeowners undertake “energy audits” to identify possible energy savings.
* Real-time, in-home smart metering will help homeowners measure and reduce energy consumption.
* These measures will demand new personal commitment, new investments and new funding. The cost of climate change is directly related to our consumption. Over the next year, the Province will consider the range of possibilities aimed at encouraging personal choices that are environmentally responsible. The Province will explore ways to encourage shifts in behaviour that reduce carbon consumption through tax savings.
* Parliament Buildings seismic upgrades will include new standards of energy efficiency.
* New strategies will be launched to promote Pacific Green universities, colleges, hospitals, schools, prisons, ferries, and airports.
* The Province will substantially increase its tree-planting efforts.
* The Province will ensure school curricula inform students how they can reduce individual impacts on the environment at home and at work.
* Beehive burners will be eliminated.
* Trees infested by the mountain pine beetle will be used to create new, clean energy.

* A federal-provincial partnership will invest $89 million for hydrogen fuelling stations and the world’s first fleet of 20 fuel cell buses. The new fuelling stations are part of the initial phase of the hydrogen highway from Whistler to Vancouver, Surrey, and Victoria.
* The Province will work with Pacific states to encourage a hydrogen highway from Whistler to San Diego by 2020. It would be the longest hydrogen highway in the world.
* This spring, the Province will invite all Pacific Coast governors and key ministers to B.C. to forge a new Pacific Coast Collaborative extending from Alaska to California.
* B.C. will work with its neighbours to create electrified truck stops to reduce idling.
* The Premier will meet with governors to assess and address the impact of climate change on our oceans and establish common standards for Pacific ports.
* The Province will seek federal co-operation to electrify ports and reduce container ship carbon emissions in all Canadian ports.
* The Province will work with the federal government and Pacific partners to develop a sensible, efficient system to register, trade, and purchase carbon offsets and credits.
* A new Citizen’s Conservation Council will be established and funded.

This is a mind-boggling action plan with a lot to admire. Here's hoping that most of it will get implemented.