Voice of IPP's

Since 1992, the IPPBC has been the voice of IPPs in BC, to government and the public - when the members have chosen to send a collective signal. Members and non members also send their own corporate signals. Frequently, due to BC’s monopsonistic industry structure, many members have requested the IPPBC to voice their concerns and frustrations. Also, government policy makers invite IPPBC input as they prefer principle-driven (vs project-driven) perspectives and the efficiency and fairness of finding an industry consensus position. Advocacy activities: IPPBC contributions to government electricity policy formulation, regulatory processes, permitting procedures, BC Hydro procurement, BCTC services, media coverage, informing the public, local and First Nations governments and resource users include; 2008 Pre-Budget Consultation presentation to Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. IPPBC Press Conference to release Dr. Mark Jaccard’s Assessing BC Electricity Policy: Peer Review of two 2007 Controversial Documents. IPPBC commissioned Dr. Jaccard to review 2 documents; Liquid Gold and Lost in Transmission, both highly critical of BC’s Energy Plan - especially IPPs role of building new generation, that have been the main sources of anti-IPP allegations. At the UBCM convention in Penticton IPPBC Directors met with two dozen supportive Mayors, MLAs, and NGOs. Hosted a Mythbusting Communications Workshop where 54 members received new PR tools including 6 new Fact Sheets and a preview of a dozen highlight quotes from Dr. Jaccard’s Review. Launched new www.ippbc.com/media_room webpage to provide up to date info to the media and the public on: Press Releases, Letters to the editor and Quotes in the news Speeches and Presentations Fact Sheets, Issue Sheets and Position Papers Featured photographs Wrote Press Releases or a Letter to the Editor about once a month including: “Energy expert counters B.C. electricity policy critics” – Oct. 1 “Low Carbon Strategy makes good economic sense for B.C.” – Aug. 8 “Renewing BC Hydro’s aging system is biggest cause of rate increases, not IPPs” – July 21 “First Nations support green run-of-river power projects” – July 16 “Clean Power Call key step to self-sufficiency and GHG Reduction” – June 12  “Facts trump ideology in debate on IPPs” – May 8 “NDP IPP Moratorium surprising given previous support” – April 17 Letter to Kamloops Daily News “Correcting error after error on allegations” – April 14 Countering Calvert’s Brace for a shock article – No harmony on private hydro – Feb. 13 Letter to VanSun: “Power: Green local beats dirty imported” – Jan 21 Response to VanSun article “Run of river projects concealed by a green curtain” – Jan. 7 Public Affairs Committee presentations to government caucus. Invitations were sent to NDP and Green Party. Hired Public Affairs consultant on monthly basis. Prepared detailed Communications Plan. IPPBC President gave about 80 media interviews in 2008 President and Directors have made over 50 public presentations including: BC Sustainable Energy Assn (Vancouver Chapter), BC Power Summit, Can. Institute of Energy, P.Eng. Association Science World, Vancouver Regional Construction Assn, IEEE/EPIC Conference, MEMPR-hosted workshop on run of river permitting for ENGOs, Northern Vancouver Island Mayors, Squamish Lillooet Regional District, several Chambers of Commerce, BC Power Conference, Canadian Water Resources Assn, UBC Wind Energy Symposium, BC Nature Trust, Queens University Alumni, First Nations Economic Development Forum. Completed location video shooting at 9 locations around BC Attended Electricity Climate Action Working Group Meeting with Minister Neufeld, top execs of Crown Corps, BCUC, several government agencies, union reps and several large electricity consumer groups Liaised with Vancouver Aboriginal Skills & Employment Program and Industry Training Authority Aboriginal Rep. Sponsored Clean Energy Classrooms Directory and Website Launch Registered Intervenor in BCUC Processes (posed Info Requests and submitted Final Arguments): BC Hydro’s 2008 IEP/LTAP; Defend BC Hydro Clean Power Call target of 5,000 GWh; illuminate additional potential load growth from new electrical vehicles and other forms of fuel switching or from gas/mining expansion; discussed future gas prices including adding GHG costs. BCTC Interior Lower Mainland Connector; BCTC Thermal Upgrade; and BCTC Capital Plan; BC Hydro Standing Offer Program Review Updated List of Hydro PLARs (Permits, Licenses, Approvals and Reviews) with new legislation Created List of 75 Wind PLARs including interviews with over a dozen government permitting agencies Created 27 step Flow Chart showing Typical IPP Project Development Sequence Provided input into the creation of ILMBs new IPP Guidebook Participated in MEMPR’s new Geothermal Task Force Wrote response to Crown Land Operational Tenuring Policy and Procedures Issues Invited to and met with Sage Group to discuss “improving BC Hydro’s electricity procurement process” Wrote 14 page Commentary on BC Hydro’s Clean Power Call draft Term Sheets Met with Integrated Land Management Bureau on Waterpower Application backlog and streamlining, Met with CanWEA President and Western Director. Met with APPrO President and Executive Director Met with BC Chamber of Commerce reps and the Council of Resource Community Mayors IPPBC Governance Restructured to an elected Board of Directors and an elected Advisory Council 2007 Met with Premier’s Technology Council and provided several follow-up letters and documents. Presented IPPs and Green Energy Choices to Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services    in Pre-budget Consultation. Sent letters to Ministry of Energy, Mines & Petroleum Resources re: BC Wind Turbine Sound Emissions Regulation. Requesting harmonization of the 40 year Water Licenses with similar term of BC Hydro EPAs BC Hydro’s 100% debt financing approach (co-sent to Minister of Finance) 6 page detailed Commentary on MEMPRs Discussion Paper re; Tenure Term Options for IPPs Researched 1992 BC Energy Council’s “Long Term Firm Electricity Export Review”, and 1993/94 Annual Report of Ministry of Energy which approved surplus power exports by utilities and private producers. Legislative Motion #4 “To support IPPs” – Passed, Motion for Water Resource Protection Act – Failed Met with BC Assessment Authority and met with BC Crown Land Utility Charges Review Group Registered Interest in updating Resource Road Act Responded to PG & E and consultants requests for information on BC Renewables Study Contributed to BC Chamber of Commerce Energy Policy. Distributed City of Quesnel Request for Expressions of Interest for Biomass Energy Plant to IPPBC members Registered Intervenor in BCUC Processes (posed Info Requests and submitted Final Arguments): BC Hydro’s IEP/LTAP; Level playing field, 100% debt, DSM RoI, Different EPA terms for DSM vs IPPs. BC Hydro-Alcan LTEPA.  Different terms, different product, and different price than F2006 CFT Aberfeldie CPCN; Different product, different risks, missing costs than F2006 CFT. $93 million for 25 MW! BCTC Capital Plan; Not proactive enough, especially on SD #9. 100% debt approach incorrect. Letter to BCUC re: BC Hydro F2008 Allowed RoE: IPP water rental payments are linked to BC Hydro rates. Revelstoke CPCN Appln: Illuminate capacity pricing, risk management  and transmission to Vancouver BC Hydro-Alcan 2007 EPA: Understand BC Hydro’s new energy and capacity pricing arrangements Letters to the Editor of the following news media with following messages: Jan. 25 to Tri-City News; IPP contracts subject to same rigorous review by BCUC as Alcan LTEPA Feb. 1 to Maple Ridge News; 1/3 of revenue to a run of river IPP is paid back as taxes and levies April 1 to Province newspaper; “NDP too stewed over ideology of power plants” April 9 to Globe & Mail “Green power in name and in deed” May 28 Global TV interview re: New Water Licenses GoogleMap June 18 to Vancouver Sun: “COPE Study compares apples and oranges” November 14 to Globe & Mail re: “SFU study slams Energy Plan as inefficient” Joined BC Hydro President in Stakeholder Dialogue on Energy Plan 2 Observer at BC Hydro Conservation Performance Review Committee. Provided data on IPPs Met with BC Hydro’s Remote Communities Electrification Group Letter to BC Hydro re: BC Hydro Submission on BCTC Cap Plan T-expansion is counter to Energy Plan directives Submitted 8 page Detailed Commentary on BC Hydro’s draft Standing Offer Program Several meetings with BCTC including; on Energy Plan 2 implementation, Transmission Extension Policy, etc. Issued “IPP Projects in BC Map“ showing 99 projects’ specs and 6 summary and trends tables www.ippbc.com website additions: Classifieds webpage for Construction & Supplier Bid Opportunities: 70 projects totaling $4.75 billion. Added a dozen Job Openings, Job Seekers, Project Development and Investment Opportunities. Added 39 IPP Projects’ Environmental Assessment info. Added 28 recently updated regulations/models, hard to find documents to www.ippbc.com/ipp_toolbox Updated IPPBC List of over 50 Permits, Licenses, Approvals and Reviews for typical run of river project. Took specific steps to upgrade Public Affairs resources and understand public opinion on IPPs Launched Public Affairs Committee Listed false and misleading anti-IPP allegations and prepared factual rebuttals. Formal power point presentations to: BC Power Summit, March 2007, Energy Council of Canada, Environthon BC at Templeton High School, CIE Luncheon in April, Fraser Valley Regional District, May 2, Probus Club in September and October, BC Construction Roundtable in October. 2006 Letters to Prime Minister Harper and NRCan Minister Lunn of continuing WPPI and RPPI Coordinated providing wind, hydro, thermal sector input to BC Hydro Resource Options Report Bill 30. Informed government of issue and issued Press Release Listed 12 agencies & 50+ permits/licenses/approvals for hydro projects Illuminated SLRD’s “$ for rezoning” scheme Intervenor in Hearings on BC Hydro’s Integrated Electricity Plan/Long Term Acquisition Plan & Revenue Requirements Application, encouraging the following: Structure future CFTs to succeed including getting CFT steps specific & committed Test BC Hydro Supply/Demand Outlook Keep BC Hydro rate increases low Level playing field for Project Evaluation Criteria for all new supply and demand-side resources BC Hydro to use weighted average cost of capital not 100% debt for analyzing their new projects Influence upcoming new Energy Plan: Implement more of the 2002 Energy Plan Illuminate hazards/losses of short-term importing Show that IPPs can fill Supply/Demand gap Confirm position on privatization Welcomed Pacific Gas & Electric and gave assistance on their investigation of BC Renewable Energy Set up and accompanied PG&E on a tour of a run of river hydro project Provided comments on proposed windpower projects Residential Set-backs for sound Defended BC Hydro’s awarding 38 Electricity Purchase Agreement on their F2006 Call for Tenders    Provided the prices of new electricity projects in other jurisdictions Highlighted 5 to 1 pressure on bidders to keep pencils sharp 2005 Representation on BC Hydro’s Provincial Integrated Electricity Planning Committee Illuminated the risks of Imports Explained need for “Insurance buffer” Requested Site C cost illumination Worked closely with BC Hydro on designing the Wind Workshop in January, 2005 Letter to BC Hydro requesting extending EPA terms to 40 years Letter to BC reminding of 1992 BCUC Decision to flow-through extra-ordinary incremental costs Several letters to BC Hydro containing over 50 recommendations on their F2006 Open Call for Power Worked closely with BCTC on their designing and hosting an Electricity Exports Workshop in April, 2005 Submitted 20 issue position bullets and 11 Issues/Solutions to the Premier’s Alternative Energy Task Force Assisted IPPBC member Sea Breeze by alerting IPPs to their Open Season on the Juan de Fuca T-line Meeting and correspondence with Premiers Progress Board & Alternative Energy Task Force 2004 Letter to Ministry of Energy on BC Hydro PowerSmart’s Self-generation grants & contracts with 2 pulp mills Meeting with Minister of Energy on Balanced Intervener Funding for BCUC Hearings Comments to DFO on Navigational Impact Assessment Requirements Guide for Hydro-electric facilities in BC Presentation to Minister of Energy on BC Hydro's appetite for power - 400 GWh vs 5000 GWh shortfall Letter to Ministry of Energy Requesting a Public Planning Review of BC Hydro Integrated Electricity Plan Registered BCUC intervener for BC Hydro’s Revenue Requirements Hearing Project Managed the funding and execution of the BC Wind Interconnection System Expansion study Provided BCTC with a Transmission Issues Preliminary Position Paper Letter to Sustainable Res. Development Ministry re: Sea To Sky LRMP: Opposition to “IPP No-Go” zone Submission to Min. of Finance “Cost of Importing Electricity” on continuing high reliance on importing electricity Registered BCUC intervener for BCTC’s Capital Plan and Open Access Transmission Tariff 2001 – 2003 “BC Electricity Market Reform Policy Recommendations” report to Energy Plan Development Task Force Suggestions on Water Licensing de-bottlenecking to Land & Water BC Letter to Ministry of Energy on re-establishing IPP exemption from the Utility Commission Act  Detailed Commentary on Draft Interim Report on the BC Energy Plan Detailed Commentaries on BC Hydro’s Electricity Purchase Agreements Provided BC Hydro with input into the establishment of the Green Power Criteria and Evaluation Participation in Land Resource Management Planning working groups Letter to Ministry of Energy objecting to CPC’s Brilliant project in BC Hydro’s 2003/03 Green Power Call Letter to Editor of Vancouver Sun regarding IPP’s vs. subsidized Columbia Power Crown Corp. Submission to Select MLA Committee on Crown Corps. Letter recommending Burrard Thermal not be Firm Resource Registered BCUC intervener for Heritage Contract Review Commentary on Ministry of Environment’s Discussion Paper “Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Offset System ” Provided info on Exempting Penstocks from BC Social Services Tax Letter to Ministry of Energy on Vancouver Island Energy Corp and VICFT procurement process. Comments on BC Hydro's White Paper on Net Metering in British Columbia 4 presentations to First Nations conferences 1990’s: (only items that are still relevant) “Economic Impact of Electricity Exports” report by KPMG (1992) “Review of BC Hydro’s Resource Acquisition Policy” report (1995) Electricity Markets Restructuring submission to BCUC (1996) Participation in BCUC’s Wholesale Transmission Operations review (1997) Registered Intervener at several BCUC regulatory hearings (1994 – 2000) IPPBC has had meetings or correspondence with the following groups in the past 12 months: Assn of Professional Engineers of BC  BC Assessment Authority  BC Business Council BC Chamber of Commerce  BC Construction Roundtable  BC Crown Land Utility Charges BC Environmental Assessment Office  BC Premiers Technology Council  BC Sustainable Energy Assn  Can Institute of Energy  Canadian Wind Energy Assn  Commercial Energy Consumers  Dept. of Fisheries & Oceans  Energy Council of Canada  First Nations  Fraser Valley Regional District  Squamish Lillooet Regl District  IPP Society of Alberta  IPP Society of Ontario ArrPO  Joint Industries Electricity Steering Comtee  Ocean Renewable Energy Group  Pollution Probe  Probus Club  Public Interest Advocacy Centre (BC)   SFU and UBC and UVic  Water Highways BC   To the Public: IPPBC attempts to maintain the profile and positive image of IPPs through media interviews and Press Releases. The public, media, and academia, can conveniently find out more about BC’s IPP industry by visiting www.ippbc.com. The site contains articles and key reports covering important industry issues as well as summarized association information.      Join us at: Mark your calendar to join us at the IPPBC AGM & Forum June 18, 2009 Vancouver, BC Download IPP Fact Sheets and concise myth busting information from our Media Room by clicking here. Call 604-461-4778