Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low-Carbon Innovation, has released the following statement in celebration of Mineral Exploration Week 2023, from Jan. 22-28:

Katrine Conroy, Minister Responsible for the Columbia River Treaty, has issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of State’s recent comments about the progress of negotiations toward a modernized treaty: 

Twelve First Nations communities throughout British Columbia will receive $7.1 million to develop alternative-energy projects and advance energy efficiency through the Province’s Community Energy Diesel Reduction (CEDR) program, a CleanBC initiative.

To preserve British Columbia’s supply of clean electricity to support the Province’s climate action and economic goals, BC Hydro will suspend electricity-connection requests from cryptocurrency mining operations for 18 months.

The Province is fulfilling a commitment identified as a key action in the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 to increase the 2030 carbon-intensity reduction target for the diesel and gasoline fuel pools from 20% to 30% under the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS).

With global inflation still driving costs up, families and small businesses in B.C. will get a one-time cost-of-living credit on their BC Hydro bill this fall, and a new BC Affordability Credit in January.

The Province is investing in projects that will reduce climate pollution, create job opportunities for people in the clean economy, and support innovation in industry.

New projects featuring made-in-B.C. solutions are setting the foundation to help British Columbians save on energy bills with more energy-efficient building options and technologies that also reduce carbon emissions.

The 13th round of negotiations to modernize the Columbia River Treaty will take place Aug. 10-11, 2022, with representatives of Canada and the United States meeting in Richmond.

The Province is improving accessibility to electric vehicles (EVs) by increasing maximum rebate amounts and ensuring they are going to people who need them most.