Minister of Energy and Mines Rich Coleman announced today that British Columbia's Clean Energy Act has been updated to enable the use of natural gas to power liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants. Effective immediately, LNG export facilities, and the electricity generation used to power them, are excluded from the Clean Energy Act's 93 per cent clean and renewable energy requirement.

Premier Christy Clark announced government's intention to clarify its clean energy policy to include natural gas last month during a meeting with the Business Council of British Columbia.

This change will ensure the LNG industry can access a reliable, timely and cost-competitive mix of gas-fired and renewable power generation to meet its large electrical demand. The 93 per cent clean energy target will continue to apply to non-LNG load and will ensure the majority of B.C.'s power requirements will be met with renewable resources.

The Province will have world-class air emissions standards for gas-fired power generation to support LNG plants. This will apply to both high-efficiency combined cycle gas generation and simple single cycle peaker plants, where they may be required, by developing policy to guide both BC Hydro procurement and environmental reviews. All infrastructure built will be subject to B.C.'s environmental assessment process.

As part of the BC Jobs Plan, British Columbia has a goal of three LNG facilities in operation by 2020. The construction of three large LNG and connecting pipelines could result in up to 1,400 ongoing jobs and $600 billion in gross domestic product over a 30-year time frame.

To learn more about British Columbia's natural gas sector, including full details about government's LNG goals, visit: gov.bc.ca/ener/natural_gas_strategy.html

Contact:

Sandra Steilo
Ministry of Energy and Mines
250 952-0617