Construction of the Site C project in northeast British Columbia reached its one-year anniversary last week. Significant construction progress has been made over the past year and the project is on track for schedule, scope and budget.

Government representatives were joined by staff and executive from BluEarth Renewables Inc., local officials and members of the Squamish Nation for a Traditional Potlach Ceremony to celebrate the commissioning of the Culliton Creek Hydro Facility yesterday.

To further support its work in encouraging mineral, coal, and oil and gas exploration investment in British Columbia through the collection and distribution of publicly available geoscience data, Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett has announced that the Province will provide $5 million in funding to Geoscience BC.

Just ahead of Earth Day, the Government of British Columbia is announcing $1.4 million from the Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund for a suite of programs to help homeowners reduce energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions and to support training in the construction of high performance, energy efficient homes.

The provincial government is providing $250,000 to support energy efficiency and clean energy projects in seven communities including solar power, biomass heating, and energy retrofits to local facilities.

Environment Minister Mary Polak and Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson have issued an environmental assessment certificate to BC Hydro for the Site C Clean Energy project, located seven kilometres southwest of Fort St. John.