With electric vehicle charging stations popping up all over the province and environmentally inspired fun at B.C. schools, it's clear that in British Columbia, Earth Day lasts 365 days.

"Earth Day is our chance to celebrate all that we do in British Columbia every day to ensure the Earth - the environment - is protected now and into the future," said Terry Lake, Minister of Environment. "From our Clean Energy Vehicle strategy to students reducing their energy use, for British Columbians, Earth Day is every day."

Throughout the province in municipalities, communities and favourite destinations, provincial and federal policies and programs are supporting a clean-energy vehicle infrastructure. From the North to the Lower Mainland, plugging in is fast becoming a fuelling option.

• City of Prince George is partnering with the University of Northern British Columbia, Regional District of Fraser Fort George and the Northern Health Authority to build three new charging stations as part of its Green Fleet strategy. With funding from federal and provincial programs, the City looks forward to promoting an electric vehicle infrastructure as well as setting a new standard for transportation alternatives within Prince George and the region.
• City of Terrace is giving the environment a boost as part of BC Hydro's Clean Energy and Electric Transportation Program. Terrace City Hall is the site of a solar panel system, as well as a new electric vehicle charging station and hybrid electric vehicle.
• Science World in Metro Vancouver is going to be B.C.'s first location for the recently announced Level 3 DC Fast Charging stations. As part of the Green Highway and the Province's CEV Infrastructure program, this station will charge an electric car in 15 to 20 minutes.

As more charging stations come online and clean cars take to the highways, the road ahead is clear for future generations to take the wheel and steer us into a greener future.

The first-ever school energy challenge took place this past week as Surrey high schools challenged each other to see how much energy they could save.

LA Matheson, Johnston Heights, Lord Tweedsmuir and Sullivan Heights secondary schools took on the challenge to meet the goal of reducing 10 million kilowatt hours (kWh) in energy use over the five days. By the beginning of the second day, LA Matheson had already saved 500 kWh, representing a double-digit reduction in energy use. Activities included:

• Ugly Sweats Day, when students dug out their old sweatshirts and sweatpants to keep them warm while turning down the thermostat.
• School battery collection program.
• Cold Lunch Day in the cafeteria.
• Turning off lights in areas with sufficient skylights or windows.

Sunday, April 22 marks the 42nd annual Earth Day with events and celebrations taking place around the globe, as many people take the opportunity to increase awareness and support of a clean environment. Earth Day is a chance to promote a unifying environmental message by organizing and participating in activities that reduce energy use and promote awareness of the Earth's natural environment.

Learn More:

Check out the schools' progress at: http://my.pulseenergy.com/SD36EnergyCompetition/dashboard/#/competition

CEVforBC website: http://www.cevforbc.ca/

LiveSmart BC: http://www.livesmartbc.ca

BC Hydro Electric Vehicle website -

http://www.bchydro.com/about/sustainability/climate_action/plugin_vehicles.html

Contacts:

Dan Gilmore
Communications
Ministry of Environment
250 213-2302

Heather Avison
Media Enquiries
City of Terrace
250 638-4722

Scott Bone
Media Enquiries
City of Prince George
250 561-7511