Wilderness Committee strikes down province’s claim LNG is a clean solution to climate change
Energetic City
VANCOUVER, B.C. — The BC Wilderness Committee has reacted predictably to the Provincial Government’s new Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Act, contending that to pretend LNG is somehow a solution to climate change is laughable.
Climate Campaigner with the Wilderness Committee Peter McCartney argues, “B.C.’s LNG is not clean by any stretch of the imagination and this legislation shows just how far the government is willing to go to promote this dirty industry.”
At end of last week, the government announced the aforementioned ACT would come into force on January first, ensuring proposed LNG facilities in BC will have an emissions cap making them the cleanest in the world.
It said three regulations necessary to implement the ACT will be in effect in the New Year, the Greenhouse Gas Emission Reporting Regulation, the Greenhouse Gas Emission Administrative Penalties and Appeals Regulation, and the Greenhouse Gas Emission Control Regulation.
The latter establishes the BC Carbon Registry and sets criteria for developing emission offsets issued by the province.
Regulated operations — such as LNG facilities — will purchase offsets from the market or funded units from government to meet emission limits.
The regulation also establishes a $25 price for funded units issued under the act, with revenue going to a technology fund to support the development of clean technologies with significant long term potential to reduce B.C.’s emissions.
However, Mr. McCartney contends, “This kind of policy is a favorite for governments and companies who want to look like they’re taking action while actually increasing the damage they’re doing to the climate.”
The Wilderness Committee further argues if just five of the proposed 21 LNG terminals on the west coast are built, the industry could double the province’s annual greenhouse gas emissions.
It believes methane leaks from fracking, and the enormous amount of power it takes to liquefy the gas, means B.C. LNG would be worse for the climate than coal.
Photo Credit: No LNG Protest (Waterkeeper Alliance via flickr)