BC Conservatives on energy and electrification

Written By Northern Beat Staff
Published

The BC Conservative vision for B.C.’s energy future aims to position the province as a leader in clean, affordable, reliable energy, emphasizing energy independence and a diverse energy mix.

As such, the Conservative energy policy is centred around three main principles: affordability, reliability and energy independence, according to a comprehensive energy policy released on Oct. 1.

Criticism of current policies

BC Conservatives argue NDP’s policies will double B.C.’s electricity needs by 2050 without a plan on how they will generate it. They say this will potentially lead to power shortages and increased reliance on imports.

Key policy proposals

  • Repeal NDP plans to ban natural gas heating and non-electric vehicles.
  • Build trust and energy literacy through transparent communication with British Columbians.
  • Work with First Nations as partners in B.C.’s energy future.

Renewable energy

  • Accelerate BC Hydro’s 10-year transmission and distribution capital plan.
  • Support BC Hydro’s drought resilience efforts.
  • Continue support for hydroelectric power.
  • Advance the business case for geothermal power generation.
  • Support the development of alternative renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and run-of-river hydroelectricity where economically viable.
  • Support the expansion of hydrogen production and refueling capacity.

Nuclear Power

  • Lift the prohibition on nuclear power research and generation.
  • Amend the Clean Energy Act to allow for nuclear power in the province’s energy mix.
  • Commit to having a small modular reactor operating by 2035, subject to business case, safety, and public confidence.

On Sept. 19, BC Conservative Leader John Rustad addressed several hundred locally B.C. elected officials at the annual Union of BC Municipalities. He had this to say about renewable energy and the consideration of nuclear power:

“We’re going to actually have to have a conversation about the possibility using nuclear power in British Columbia. If we want to be able to increase demand or increase the ability to have affordable, reliable, clean energy, clean electricity in B.C., this is where we need to go as a conversation. 

“But I’m saying that from a perspective of it’s going to be up to the people. It’s not something that government can do on itself. We need to do a full engagement with people in the province to understand what we need for electricity, how we go about generating that electricity, what the cost is going to be, what the impact, the competitiveness.

“There’s much that needs to be done. We have to be open and transparent in discussion. It can’t just be these decisions that are driven by ideology.”

Rustad said 84 per cent of the energy consumed in B.C. today is hydrocarbon generated, with only 16 per cent from electricity.

” If we wanted all of our planes and trains, cars, all of our transportation to be electric and electric-only, we would need to triple the amount of electricity we produce. That’s equivalent to building more than 22 Site C dams. It’s not going to happen. We’re not going to be building any more significant dams in BC in all likelihood. 

“So where’s that power going to come from? That’s an important conversation we need to have with the people of British Columbia.”

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