Early Consolidations of BCER Regulations
Quickscribe has published an early consolidation of the new Hydrogen Facility Regulation, made under the Energy Resource Activities Act, which will take effect on April 1, 2025. The Regulation establishes two classes of hydrogen manufacturing facilities that are not co-located with a facility for manufacturing ammonia or methanol:

• Class 1 Hydrogen Facility, having an aggregate weight of hydrogen less than 4.5 tonnes, and
• Class 2 Hydrogen Facility, having an aggregate weight of hydrogen equal to or more than 4.5 tonnes, with a capacity to produce less than 100,000 tonnes of hydrogen per year.

The Regulation outlines the processes for application, permitting, operation, emergency management and decommissioning for both classes of hydrogen facilities, scalable to the complexity of the hydrogen project.

Early consolidations have also been posted for other BCER regulations, consequential to the introduction of the new Regulation: Dormancy and Shutdown Regulation; Drilling and Production Regulation; Emergency Management Regulation; Fee, Levy and Security Regulation; Liquefied Natural Gas Facility Regulation; Pipeline Regulation; Processing Facility Regulation; Requirements for Consultation and Notification Regulation; Security Management Regulation; and Service Regulation.

New Legislation to Expand BCER Role
to Renewable Energy Announced
The Province of British Columbia is set to introduce new legislation in spring 2025 to enhance the regulation and permitting of renewable energy projects, notably wind and solar, by shifting authority to the BC Energy Regulator (BCER). Announced by Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, the move aims to expedite the development of these projects alongside the expansion of high-voltage electricity transmission systems like the North Coast Transmission Line. This initiative is anticipated to attract $5-6 billion in private capital investment and foster significant employment, supporting the economy amid potential U.S. tariffs.

The legislation will transform BCER into the primary regulatory authority for renewable energy projects, facilitating a streamlined, single-window permitting process. The approach initially targets the North Coast Transmission Line and other major transmission lines, along with newly signed wind and solar projects under BC Hydro's electricity purchase agreements. Furthermore, the new framework exempts future wind projects from the environmental assessment process. This development not only broadens BCER's role from its initial scope of oil and gas to now include extensive renewable energy oversight but also aligns with efforts to deliver reliable, affordable clean energy to meet the province's economic and industrial needs. View the government news release.

B.C. Makes Legislative Amendments Increasing
Canadian Biofuel Requirements
The B.C. government is moving to protect a nascent biofuel industry by requiring all biodiesel sold in B.C. be made in Canada.

The Province is making key amendments to regulations under the Low Carbon Fuels Act that prioritize the inclusion of Canadian biofuels in B.C.'s transportation fuels. This action will stabilize the biofuel market and support B.C. companies such as Tidewater Renewables in Prince George, Parkland in Burnaby and Consolidated Biofuels in Delta.

Effective Jan. 1, 2026, the minimum 5% renewable-fuel requirement for gasoline must be met with eligible renewable fuels produced in Canada. The renewable-fuel requirement for diesel is 4% and will immediately be increased to 8%. Beginning April 1, 2025, the renewable content of diesel fuel must be produced in Canada. Read the full government news release.

Teck Says U.S. Tariffs Would Have Minimal Impact
on Export of Critical Minerals From B.C.
Vancouver-based mining company Teck Resources Ltd. says it expects to find other trade routes for some of the metals it refines in B.C. if the U.S. goes ahead with tariffs.

Chief executive Jonathan Price told a conference call with investors that border taxes shouldn't have a material impact on Teck overall, but that it will adjust where need be.

B.C. Premier David Eby has held Teck up as an example of why the United States should not impose tariffs on Canadian goods, pointing out that the company's smelter operation in Trail, B.C., exports minerals critical for night vision goggles and electronic devices. Read the CBC article.

Business Council Urges B.C. to Cut PST, Loosen LNG Regulation
As the threat of a trade war with the U.S. looms, the province needs to gird its loins, says the Business Council of B.C.

The council's new report is urging the NDP government to start with its upcoming budget by getting its own fiscal house in order, and developing a more welcome investment climate by cutting regulations and the PST on capital investments.

"The Trump administration has our industrial base in its sights," BCBC vice-president of policy David Williams said in a press release accompanying Monday's report, Strengthening B.C.'s Economy Amid U.S. Tariff Threats.

"B.C. must respond by ensuring this province is an attractive place to invest, build businesses and retain skilled workers relative to the United States." Read the BIV article.

BC Energy Regulator Announcements
The following BC Energy Regulator announcement was posted recently:

• TU 2025-02 – Strengthening Oversight of Induced Seismicity in Northeast B.C.
• IU 2025-02 – Update to the Fee, Levy and Security Regulation

Visit the BC-ER website for more information.

Bill 3, Protected Areas of British Columbia
Amendment Act, 2025, Introduced
On February 19, the government tabled Bill 3, the Protected Areas of British Columbia Act. If passed, the bill will add approximately 143 hectares to three parks and also remove approximately one hectare of land from one of those same parks. In addition, the administration of Kilby Park will be transferred to the administration of the heritage branch of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. The proposed amendments also rename two parks to include their Indigenous place names: Enderby Cliffs Park will be renamed as Tplaqín/Enderby Cliffs Park, and Maquinna Marine Park will be renamed as Nism̓aakqin Park. Read more in the government news release.

Canada's Forest Sector Responds to Threats
of U.S. Tariffs on Canadian Wood Products
On February 21st, the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) responded to U.S. President Donald Trump's recent comments regarding proposed tariffs on Canadian wood products, expressing deep concern over the economic impact these measures would have on forest sector employees on both sides of the border and on American families seeking affordable housing.

Derek Nighbor, President and CEO of FPAC, issued the following statement:

"Together, the United States and Canada have built a world-leading forest products industry by leveraging our shared strengths in sustainable forest management, advanced manufacturing, market development, and through our integrated transportation systems.

"Rather than disrupting this highly integrated and well-functioning supply chain, we should be focused on strengthening our competitive advantages, building more affordable housing, working together to address worsening wildfire risks, and bringing more North American wood to the world.

Unilateral tariff actions drive-up costs, create uncertainty, and slow down efforts to meet the urgent demand for housing on both sides of the border. We urge the U.S. government to reconsider these measures which will be harmful to both our countries."

Read the full article published by FPAC.

Environmental Appeal Board Decisions
The following Environmental Appeal Board decision was made recently:

Environmental Management Act

• Coeur Silvertip Holdings Ltd. v. Director, Environmental Management Act [Final Decision – Confirm Determination; Vary Penalty]

Visit the Environmental Appeal Board website for more information.

Forest Appeals Commission Decisions
The following Forest Appeals Commission decision was made recently:

Forest and Range Practices Act

• Interfor Corporation v. Government of British Columbia [Final Decision – Determination Confirmed; Administrative Penalty Varied]

Visit the Forest Appeals Commission website for more information.

Consultation on Proposed BC Exposure Limits (ELs) Based on the
New or Revised 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 ACGIH TLVs
for Selected Chemical Substances
From WorkSafeBC: The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) regularly publishes a list of substances for which they have set new or revised Threshold Limit Values (TLVs). A TLV is the airborne concentration of a chemical substance where it is believed that nearly all workers may be exposed over a working lifetime and experience no adverse health effects. TLVs may be expressed as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA), 15-minute short-term exposure limit (STEL), or ceiling limit. Before adopting new or revised TLVs published by the ACGIH, WorkSafeBC reviews relevant data on health effects and the availability of validated sampling methods. WorkSafeBC also consults with stakeholders on potential implementation issues. WorkSafeBC’s existing B.C. Exposure Limits (ELs) continue to be in effect until the Board of Directors makes a decision on which new or revised ACGIH TLVs to adopt as BC ELs. Read the WorkSafeBC announcement for additional details.

WorkSafeBC Investigator: Excavating Firm Provided Minimal
Safety Documentation after Worker's Death
A retired WorkSafeBC investigator has testified that one employer provided little safety documentation following the 2012 workplace fatality of one of its workers, according to a report. The incident occurred on October 11, 2012, when a retaining wall collapsed into a trench during a sewer replacement project by J. Cote and Son Excavating Ltd. in Burnaby. In the incident, 28-year-old pipe layer Jeff Caron was fatally crushed. Meanwhile, Thomas Richer, a co-worker, sustained injuries. The company and its foreman, David Green, are currently on trial, facing charges of criminal negligence causing death and criminal negligence causing injury. Testifying in the B.C. Supreme Court last Thursday [February 13], former WorkSafeBC fatal and serious injury investigator Lonny Bouchard detailed his role in investigating the accident. He explained that part of the investigation involved reviewing employer safety procedures and compliance with occupational health and safety regulations. Read the full article by Jim Wilson with Canadian Occupational Health Safety.

Engineer Fined, Investigated in Burnaby 
Trench Collapse that Killed Worker
An engineer who certified an unsupported trench in North Burnaby – where a worker was killed – was fined and investigated by police before becoming a Crown witness in the ongoing criminal negligence trial of J. Cote and Son Excavating Ltd. and foreman David Green. According to Burnaby Now, engineer Edward Yip, the principal consultant for Earthbitat Engineering Inc., admitted to unprofessional conduct after approving the trench where 28-year-old pipe layer Jeff Caron died in a collapse 12 years ago. The incident also left another worker, Thomas Richer, injured. Read the full article by Jim Wilson with Canadian Occupational Health Safety.