BC Legislature to Sit October – What’s on the Agenda?

BC Government Report on its BC Hydro Review
On August 11th, the British Columbia government released its report on its review of BC Hydro [pdf]. The comprehensive Report is written by a government appointed review panel which was devised in response to BC Hydro's proposed 32% electricity rate increase over three years. The Report provides 56 recommendations to BC Hydro and mostly addresses the internal operations of BC Hydro, but also touches on current and past BC energy policy and the impact on BC Hydro operations. The Report does not directly address the future of the BC clean energy industry, but if you read between the lines, the Report does offer some nuggets of information that could impact independent power producers and clean energy enthusiasts. View the full article by Warren Brazier with Clark Wilson.

MABC Expresses Disappointment with the HST results
The Mining Association of BC (MABC) is disappointed to learn that BC will not be keeping the HST but understands that voters have spoken. "BC’s mining sector has the potential to create high paying jobs in all regions of the province and build a strong economy and today’s decision takes some of the wind out of our sail" states Ben Chalmers, Vice President of Environment and Technical Affairs. "We are concerned that today’s decision compromises key competitive advantages and efficiencies offered by the HST and adds to the complexity of making large investment decisions necessary to build a mine." Source: MABC

B.C. lumber group says U.S. softwood lumber filing is without merit
The U.S. arbitration submission under the Softwood Lumber Agreement will remain confidential for a week, but a group representing B.C. lumber producers says reports about its contents suggest the unfair trade case against Canada is without merit. The British Columbia Lumber Trade Council says the U.S. case to the London Court of International Arbitration filed Tuesday ignores the “real facts” associated with the impact of the Mountain Pine Beetle on the B.C. Interior. View full article by the Global News.

Burns Lake Community forest fined for visual quality objectives infraction
What is valued and significant and what is not? The interpretation of scenic vistas in the local area is highly subjective and difficult to interpret say two local forest industry representatives. View full article by BC LocalNews.

Draft old growth area amendment includes Avatar Grove
The public is invited to comment on proposed changes to old growth management areas on Vancouver Island that would protect the Avatar Grove site. The proposed amendments fall within the Renfrew planning area and include:

• Designating 49 hectares in the Avatar Grove area as old growth management area.
• Designating an additional 10.4 hectares as old growth management area.
• Removing 57.4 hectares of old growth management area.

The Renfrew planning area, on south western Vancouver Island, contains 11,624 hectares of old growth management areas. An additional 7,732 hectares of old growth forest in provincial and federal parks contributes to old growth targets. Comments on the proposed amendments will be accepted until Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. View government news release.