Throne Speech, 38th Parliament, 3rd Session, 13-Feb-2007
The text of the Speech from the Throne:
http://www.leg.bc.ca/38th3rd/4-8-38-3.htm
Points from Throne Speech
http://tinyurl.com/2kmfve
Without the companion documents - the budget and the energy plan - a lot of what was said today in the Throne Speech could be empty promises. But taken at face value, and without more scrutiny, there are some very good statements in today's speech. For example:
- Reducing B.C.’s greenhouse gases by at least 33 per cent below current levels by 2020. [That's 10% under 1990 level, beating California's goal of returning to 1990 levels by 2020.]
- Carbon neutral by 2010
- Tackle the challenges of global warming and unplanned urban sprawl. [And what about planned urban sprawl? Much of this part seems to be by "encouraging" local governments to allow smaller lots, etc.]
- All electricity produced in B.C. will be required to have net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2016
- The energy plan will require that 90 per cent of B.C.’s electricity come from clean, renewable sources.
- Effective immediately, B.C. will require 100 per cent carbon sequestration for any coal-fired electricity project. [No indication as to who will pay for it, or what happens with the existing two projects that have electricity purchase agreements with BC Hydro, for which this requirement will upend the economics of the EPAs.]
Excerpts that relate to climate change and energy
THRONE SPEECH LAUNCHES B.C. INTO PACIFIC CENTURY
VICTORIA – The third session of the 38th parliament was launched today with a speech from the throne that calls for bold action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions ....
Premier Campbell said the Province will build on its reputation for environmental stewardship by establishing targets, actions, and processes aimed at reducing B.C.’s greenhouse gases by at least 33 per cent below current levels by 2020. [10% under 1990 level, beating California's goal of returning to 1990 levels by 2020]
“Climate change is real, and British Columbians are telling us we must do more as a government and as individuals,” said Campbell. “We will act to stem the growth of global warming and minimize the impacts already unleashed by establishing targets and actions and by working with our national and international neighbours.”
The throne speech includes key initiatives that outline the five elements of the Province’s Pacific Leadership Agenda, an agenda that’s crucial to achieving the Five Great Goals for the Golden Decade. The Pacific Leadership Agenda elements include:
- To tackle the challenges of global warming and unplanned urban sprawl.
Initiatives to tackle the challenge of global warming include:
- 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 through a Climate Action Team that will determine the most credible, aggressive, and economically viable targets.
- A longer-term emissions reduction target will be set for 2050.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 informs 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.
Plans to build on the Province’s environmental protection and conservation records:
- Several new Class A parks and conservancies will be established and existing ones expanded.
- Changes will be introduced to strengthen forest stewardship and reduce forest fire risk.
- Actions will be taken to improve forest health, encourage better utilization of beetle-killed timber and salvage fibre, and strengthen actions against those who damage B.C.’s forest or range resources.
Initiatives that will be taken to address housing and urban sprawl include:
- Encouraging local governments to exempt small-unit supportive housing projects from development cost charges and levies.
- A new assessment class and new tax exemptions for small-unit supportive housing will be developed over the next year for the legislature’s consideration.
- Changes to existing funding and transfer payments to ensure integrated regional transportation and housing planning.
- Working with the Union of B.C. Municipalities and the private sector to develop new incentives to encourage smaller lot sizes and smaller, more energy efficient homes that use less land, less energy, less water, and are less expensive to own.