Tag Archives: BC

Cost of Climate Change, Fire

BC’s fire situation appears to be improving

By Roy Hales

Though the number of active wildfires increased to 240, of which 17 are classified as “active fires of note,”the province was no longer covered by smoke. Port Hardy’s evacuation order has been rescinded. There was rain in some of the most critical areas last night and today. Aside from Whistler, which is still “5” (moderate), the province’s Air Quality Health Index has dropped to 2’s and 3’s. BC’s fire situation appears to be improving.

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Cost of Climate Change, Fire

The Fires – Is This Climate Change?

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Across the Strait of Juan de Fuca from Victoria, a brownish haze clings to the Olympic Peninsula’s shore.  There are reports of ash raining from the sky in Vancouver, Salt Spring Island and Nanaimo.  The sun was a reddish-brown color in Qualicum Beach. There are severe wildfires along the West Coast, from Alaska to California. There may be more than drought behind the fires: Is this Climate Change?

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Energy

BC’s Solar Capacity Is Doubling

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By Roy L Hales

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There are slow pockets, but most of British Columbia’s solar contractors are busier than ever before. Riverside Energy Systems, in Kamloops, is finding it difficult to keep up. Rob Baxter, of Vancouver Renewable Energy Co-operative, thinks we may have reached a tipping point, “more people want to support solar energy.” Alevtina Akbulatova, Net Metering Specialist with BC Hydro, said 90 projects were connected to the grid during 2014. She added, “There are already 99 this year and I could approve a few more by the end of the day.” Add in the 1 megawatt of capacity from SunMine, the province’s first utility scale solar project, and BC’s Solar capacity Is doubling.

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Environment

Time For BC To Withdraw From The NEB Process

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An interview with Larissa Stendie, author of Sierra Club BC report “Credibility Crises: Major Flaws Threaten Credibility Of NEB Assessment Process For Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Pipeline And Tankers Proposal.” She maintains the province’s interests are not being looked after in the proposed Trans Mountain Pipeline hearings and it is time for BC to withdraw from the NEB Process

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Energy

Does Ernst & Young’s LNG Report Vindicate BC?

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By Roy L Hales

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There are credible experts who believe that, with proper regulation and enforcement, it is possible to have a trustworthy fracking industry. They also say this does not yet exist in North America. Personally, I think the industry is out of control and BC’s government is desperate to get in bed with it. Last week the government released a report from Ernst & Young (EY) which the Minister of Natural Gas Development says “British Columbians can have confidence they are benefiting from a clean, well regulated natural gas industry.” Does Ernst & Young’s LNG report vindicate BC?

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