Category Archives: Technology

Energy

BC comes under fire after cutting fees on LNG, pipeline projects

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By Sonal Gupta, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

BC’s energy regulator is weakening oversight at a time when it should be making it stronger, according to environmentalists, Indigenous leaders and public‑health experts in the province.

The BC Energy Regulator (BCER), a Crown corporation funded largely by the companies it oversees, recently lowered levies for LNG Canada, Woodfibre LNG and the Coastal GasLink pipeline. The fees are collected “to meet [BCER’s] regulatory obligations and recover expenses,” the regulator says on its website.

LNG Canada’s annual levy fell from $900,000 to $600,000, Woodfibre’s from $2.5 million to $1.4 million and Coastal GasLink’s per‑kilometre charge dropped from $1,700 to $420.

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Energy, Politics

In the Midst of a Global Energy Transition: Canada’s New Pipeline

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Someone sent me a Facebook post in which North Island-Powell River MP Aaron Gunn points to a Petro Canada sign advertising gas for $2.09.9 a litre. 

Gunn wrote, “Ridiculous. 4th-largest oil reserves on the planet. $2.09 per litre at the pumps. It’s time to build pipelines, refineries and an energy policy that puts Canada, and Canadians, first!” 

My first response, when I calmed down enough to have a polite response, was ‘does he think a fully operational pipeline is going to drop out of the sky?’ 

So far, no proponents have stepped forward to build the proposed pipeline. Premier Danielle Smith of Alberta recently said there are some Middle Eastern and Asian investors who expressed interest in a minority stake. IF a proponent steps forward and clears all the necessary preliminary steps, it is still going to take years before oil flows through the proposed pipeline. 

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Energy, Politics

Fossil Fuel Lobbyists very active in 2025, report says

Fossil fuel interests increased their lobbying during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s tenure. According to Environmental Defence’s  2025 Fossil Fuel Playbook, iindustry lobbyists met with federal officials 986 times in 2025, despite a three-month lull during the election period.

Jennifer Lash, the Liberal candidate in North island-Powell River during the last election, responded, “There is no question that this Liberal government has signalled they are open to conversations with the fossil fuel sector and these numbers show that the companies are accepting the invitation. What really matters, however, is the outcome, particularly with the commitments in the MoU.  Canada must ensure the methane equivalency agreement and industrial carbon pricing regulations are rigorous and effective and I will be watching to see what happens in the coming weeks.”  

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Rivers & Oceans, Transportation

Construction at Heriot Bay and Whaletown terminals ending, new ferries coming

Construction on the BC Ferries Heriot Bay and Whaletown terminals will soon be coming to an end, and we will probably have a brand-new-to-us hybrid electric ferry this summer.

Sheila Reynolds, Senior Communications Advisor with BC Ferries, explained: “Construction at the terminals actually began last spring to replace both berths at Heriot Bay and Whaletown, which were both nearing the end of their service lives and needed replacing.”

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Energy

BC Hydro Replacing Switches on Pole-Mounted Transformers

BC Hydro is replacing the switches on pole-mounted transformers set up beside private residences and buildings on Cortes Island.  

They subcontracted this work to Allteck, an electric ransmission & distribution services company with a branch office in Nanaimo. A three-person crew arrived in Squirrel Cove on Tuesday, March 10. Two of them either use a bucket truck or climb the pole, while the third supports them from the ground. Once set up, the whole procedure typically takes about half an hour per transformer.

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