Efficiency Canada has just released its 2022 Canadian Energy Efficiency scorecard and British Columbia leads the rankings for the fourth year in a row.
“BC’s updated climate plan includes several nation leading policies. Now the province needs to implement them,” it states in the report.
The province scored 55 out of 100 possible points. It was followed by Nova Scotia and Quebec, which were given 50 and 48 points respectively. Alberta, Newfoundland and Saskatchewan were given the lowest marks.
The updated CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 calls for all new buildings to be net zero carbon and all new space and water heating equipment to be at least 100% efficient by 2030. All new home sale listings are to include an energy efficiency label and BC is adopting a PACE program, which allows homeowners to finance energy upgrades through their property taxes.
There is also an accelerated zero-emission vehicle mandate; and a proposed cap on GHG emissions from natural gas utilities
“While BC scores high on buildings, transportation, and industry, it remains in the middle for energy efficiency programs.”
“Both BC Hydro and FortisBC (electric) opted away from the most aggressive cost-effective energy savings scenarios in their latest long-term resource plans, emphasizing the risk of missing these targets due to lack of participation. However, higher savings targets are in line with BC Hydro’s “accelerated electrification scenario” wherein the province meets its net-zero emission goals. Planned caps on natural gas utility GHG emissions should also call for a ramp-up in natural gas savings.
“There is a risk that utilities are not fully aligned with the province’s net-zero goals. The province’s electricity and natural gas savings goals are not high by Canadian or North American standards.”
BC’s average annual electricity savings target in 2021 were only half those of Nova Scotia, and far less than many American states. Similarly, natural gas savings from utility programs were only a quarter of the rate achieved by California.
“BC policymakers should be asking themselves how they can achieve more aggressive energy savings without creating undue uncertainty for utility system planners.”
Top image credit: Premier John Horgan will step down from office on Friday November 18, 2022. His government’s policies are responsible for British Columbia scoring #1 in Canada’s Energy Efficiency scorecard for four years in a row.-Photo courtsy BC NDP via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0)
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