The Parliamentary Secretary for Natural Gas to the Minister of Energy and Mines, Pat Pimm, will identify new economic opportunities from B.C.'s natural gas sector when he consults broadly across the province this summer.

Through communication with local communities, industry, stakeholder groups and various government agencies, Pimm will seek to advance multiple projects and areas of interest:

• A strategy for how B.C. will increase the use of electrification in the natural gas sector and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by natural gas exploration activities.
• A plan to accelerate the use of natural gas in the transportation sector.
• Meetings with industry, provincial agencies and local governments to encourage the use of new technology in the oil and gas sector.
• Work with the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality in an effort to support job development and service centre opportunities in the Fort Nelson area.
• Researching the opportunities and the job creation available through new infrastructure developments like gas-to-liquid (GTL) facilities.

Pimm will develop strategies for each priority area and will make his recommendations to B.C.'s Minister of Energy and Mines, Rich Coleman by Aug. 31, 2011. Pimm's research will strengthen long-term economic prospects by complementing the Province's goal of creating new markets for B.C.'s natural gas. His work will also advance the Province's ongoing efforts to maintain leading standards for safe and environmentally responsible unconventional gas activities.

Quotes:

Pat Pimm, Parliamentary Secretary for Natural Gas to the Minister of Energy and Mines -

"The natural gas sector is an economic engine and giving it the opportunity to grow and diversify will only increase the prospects of our province's future. By working closely with industry and British Columbian's, I hope to find solutions that will advance our natural gas practices and create jobs in rural communities across northeast B.C."

Quick Facts:

• B.C. currently produces just over one trillion cubic feet of natural gas per year.
• Shale gas could double production by the end of the decade, providing B.C. with new investment opportunities, long-term jobs and a surplus of natural gas that could supply new markets and new technologies, like natural gas vehicles.
• Natural gas vehicles produce approximately 20 to 35 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline- or diesel-equivalent engines.
• The establishment of a GTL plant in the province would create a new value added industry, increase the investment appeal of B.C.'s natural gas and create jobs.
• The oil and gas sector currently supports approximately 20,000 person years of employment for British Columbians.

Contact:

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