Clean Energy Act opposed
As reported last month, Bill 17, the Clean Energy Act, was introduced with the promise that it would bring billions of dollars of investment in the “green energy” sector, while protecting low electricity rates for British Columbians. The Act – a centrepiece of the legislative agenda this year – is flawed and unrealistic, says government backbencher John Rustad, the provincial Liberal MLA for Nechako Lakes. He said he intends to vote against some sections of the bill, which is expected to be passed into law later this week. The bill is under attack from a wide range of critics, including the business community which says it discourages low-cost, low-carbon energy alternatives. Native leaders complain the government failed to consult with them, and the NDP opposition contends that consumers will end up paying more for energy under this plan. The bill will enshrine into law a long-standing government policy that prohibits future dam construction on rivers that currently have no major hydroelectric dams. See the News Story as reported by the Globe and Mail.

BC First Nations vow to fight Enbridge pipeline
A First Nations leader is sending a stern warning to a Calgary company over its plan to build an oil pipeline to a tanker port on the BC coast. Art Sterritt, the Executive Director of the Coastal First Nations, says aboriginals will not allow Enbridge to do to them what BP has done to the people of Louisiana, a reference to the massive Gulf oil spill. The warning came as Enbridge submitted its formal application to federal regulatory authorities to build a pipeline to carry oil from Alberta's tar sands to a tanker port in Kitimat for export. See the News Story as report by CTV.

BC’s Mining Sector Faired Better
than Most in 2009 Says PWC
British Columbia’s mining industry reported pre-tax net earnings of $2.3 billion during 2009 in spite of the worldwide economic slowdown, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report, The Mining Industry in British Columbia—2009. The earnings of $2.3 billion declined from the all-time record of $3.2 billion reported in 2008, but remain at historically high levels. The industry weathered the global economic downturn better than most, but BC mines were faced with lower shipments and weaker prices across the board in 2009 due to a drop in overall economic activity just about everywhere. See News Article.

Forest Companies and Environmentalists
Reach Deal on Boreal Forest
The Forest Products Association of Canada and nine leading environmental groups announced an agreement recently that will protect swaths of boreal forest and the woodland caribou while allowing sustainable forestry practices to continue. The Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement applies to 72 million hectares of forest licensed to FPAC members - two thirds of all certified forest land in Canada. Under the agreement, new logging will be suspended on nearly 29 million hectares of boreal forest, and in return Canopy, ForestEthics and Greenpeace will suspend their 'Do Not Buy' campaigns while the agreement is being implemented. See the News story as reported by the Vancouver Sun.

New program minimizes wood waste in the northeast
BC Timber Sales is making wood harvested during oil and gas exploration and development in the Fort Nelson forest district available for auction, it was recently announced. BC Timber Sales is listing wood on a ministry-run website, offering oil and gas companies a convenient and practical way to reach timber customers, and providing purchasers with accessible information about available wood. See the News release.

New Measures to Reduce GHG Emissions
from Heavy Duty Vehicles
Environment Canada will develop proposed regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new heavy-duty vehicles. Over the coming months, the Government will be working with the heavy-duty trucking industry, including manufacturers and users, to develop these regulations. A consultation draft of the regulations is expected to be available for comment from industry, stakeholders and the public in the fall of 2010. The final regulations will be implemented between the 2014 and 2018 model year. See the News release.

BC Forestry Law Reporter
A new edition of the BC Forestry Law Reporter is in the works and is scheduled for release in the June Reporter.