By SCOTT SIMPSON, Vancouver Sun, February 9, 2010
Independent power producers on Tuesday cautiously praised a throne speech promise to dramatically reshape British Columbia’s energy sector.
The provincial government is promising to improve both the economy and the environment with the introduction of a Clean Energy Act intended to streamline development of new green electricity initiatives.
The government promises to improve the process for inviting private sector bids for new renewable electricity developments, and support upgrades to transmission lines to export electricity to the United States.
The commitments come two months after the province struck a Green Energy Task Force to recommend measures to support expansion of B.C.’s green energy sector.
“I’d have to give the government kudos,” said Paul Kariya, Independent Power Producers association of B.C. executive director.
“I think there is encouragement there on improving the whole framework of procurement and how energy is brought to the market,” Kariya said. “It reinforces that the clean energy sector is a star on B.C.’s economic horizon.”
ssimpson@vancouversun.com
