Long-term Vision for B.C.'s Electricity Needs

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
2008EMPR0072-001904
Dec. 15, 2008

Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources

LONG-TERM VISION FOR B.C.'S ELECTRICITY NEEDS

VICTORIA - New terms of reference will guide the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) in looking at the long-term, provincewide electricity transmission needs of British Columbia, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Minister Richard Neufeld announced today.

"These terms of reference will ensure that the Province's long-term transmission infrastructure needs, looking ahead 30 years, are fully examined," said Neufeld. "This way we can continue to offer a clean, affordable and reliable energy supply for all British Columbians for generations to come."

This inquiry will be led by the BCUC, as outlined in the recent amendments to the Utilities Commission Act that were announced on March 31, 2008. The inquiry will consider the long-term, provincewide need for transmission infrastructure and capacity and recognize the long lead times associated with transmission development and the need to plan for future development of a clean, renewable, low carbon electricity supply.
The BCUC is required to start the inquiry by March 31, 2009. Following the inquiry, the BCUC will issue a draft report on its determinations of need for transmission infrastructure and capacity.

As a part of the inquiry, the BCUC will:

o conduct an open public process with the opportunity for all stakeholders to participate; o assess key areas for electricity generation development in the province, and the likely sequence of development of those areas; o assess the need for transmission to serve future electricity demand, in light of the direction set through the BC Energy Plan and climate action policies; o consider long-term needs, the risk of limiting opportunities for clean or renewable electricity resources and economic development; and o look at the efficient development of transmission, thus avoiding the need for multiple transmission lines to serve an area.

"This inquiry helps us develop our province's potential to open up new opportunities by ensuring that public infrastructure is in place on time to support investment in clean energy," said David Emerson, BC Transmission Corporation (BCTC) executive chair and CEO. "Transmission infrastructure is a critical component of B.C.'s long-term energy strategy."

BCTC will use the inquiry's findings to help plan the provincial transmission system to enable efficient construction of generating facilities.

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Contact:

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

Mike Witherly
BC Transmission Corporation
604 699-7267
604 374-8362

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