Standing Offer to advance Clean Energy Plan

http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2007EMPR0032-000822.htm

From: Government of British Columbia
PAB.News@gov.bc.ca
link to news release
Wednesday, June 20, 2007 12:30 PM

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
2007EMPR0032-000822
June 20, 2007

Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
BC Hydro

STANDING OFFER TO ADVANCE CLEAN ENERGY PLAN

PRINCE GEORGE - In support of the Province of British Columbia's Energy
Plan, BC Hydro has released the draft terms and conditions for a
Standing Offer Program for clean electricity projects of up to 10
megawatts, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Minister Richard
Neufeld announced today.

"Our Energy Plan commits us to achieving electricity self-sufficiency by
2016," said Neufeld, "and this offer is one of the made-in-B.C.
solutions we have to ensure a secure, clean supply of energy while
helping small power producers participate in clean energy alternatives."

"We believe there needs to be a streamlined process for smaller-scale
projects, and this Standing Offer Program will enable those small
electricity-generating projects to sell power to BC Hydro," said BC
Hydro president and CEO Bob Elton. "We're offering a standard contract
with set prices and a straightforward administrative process, and this
will give smaller-scale projects the opportunity to contribute to B.C.'s
supply of clean electricity."

A 10-megawatt hydro project typically provides 40 GWh per year of
energy, or enough electricity to power 4,000 households.

BC Hydro is seeking feedback on the proposed terms and conditions of the
Standing Offer Program from potential developers, First Nations,
customers and other stakeholders. BC Hydro is inviting written comments
on the program's draft documents as well as planning to hold regional
meetings during July and early August to get further input on the design
of the program.

Projects eligible for the Standing Offer Program must be:
* proven technologies, i.e., those already available on the market for
at least three years;
* 10 megawatts or less; and
* either clean, renewable or cogeneration with an overall efficiency
greater than 80 per cent.

The draft documents for the Standing Offer Program along with a list of
regional stakeholder sessions can be found at www.bchydro.com/standingoffer.

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Contact:

Jake Jacobs
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
250 952-0628
250 213-6934 (cell)

Gillian Robinson
Media Relations
BC Hydro
604 623-4022