IPPBC June 2010 Newsletter

June 4, 2010 This month's newsletter includes the following: Executive Director’s Report  - "Clean Energy Act potentially a positive ‘game changer’ for our industry" The BC Clean Energy Act (CEA) was introduced on April 27th and foreshadows a material change in how the electricity business is conducted in this province. For some stakeholders the CEA provides clear action for positive changes in the clean energy industry. For others, the Act does not provide enough clear action toward achieving what has been promised in recent policies, budgets and throne speeches. However, going forward, the CEA will be what we make of it as an industry group. There is opportunity to help shape enabling regulations and direct further policies....Read More The report includes summaries on: Calls for Power Standing Offer Program (SOP) and Bioenergy Phase II Export Markets California Market Demand Side Management (DSM) First Nations IPPBC Standing Committee Reports While the immediate attention has been on the Clean Energy Act and its potential ramifications, the Association’s Standing Operating Committees continue to act on a wide range of technical and policy matters through the existing Client Advisory Committee of the Integrated Land Management Bureau (ILMB) which is dealing with Water Act changes and permitting issues; and the new Ministry of Energy-IPPBC Strategic Policy Forum which is expected to deal with unresolved issues such as the question of risk assignment related to power pricing and the concept of separate bidding processes for firm and non-firm power....Read More Standing Offer Program A sub-group of the Market Development Committee has drafted recommendations to BC Hydro for the review they are conducting of the Standard Offer Program (SOP).....Read More ILMB Client Advisory Committee Co-chaired with ILMB, this Committee is a forum for discussion of operational and policy concerns brought forward to government; and for consideration of regulatory changes proposed by government....Read More. Hydro Committee Committee working groups prepared IPPBC’s submission to the Government on modernization of the BC Water Act, and submissions on water rental rates and ILMB utility zone rate increases.....Read More Wind Committee The Committee is engaging the ILMB on their draft multi-tenure permitting document and their proposed restructuring of the permitting process to improve timelines and administration of renewable energy project development.....Read More Market Development Committee The Committee was instrumental in initiating the new MEMPR-IPPBC Strategic Policy Forum which has issued Terms of Reference and will deal with policy issues not currently within the jurisdiction of specific committees or agencies. Transmission Committee The Committee previously was focused on the BC Utilities Commission Section 5 inquiry into long term transmission requirements – now folded into the Integrated Resource Plan to be developed by BC Hydro in consultation with stakeholder groups.....Read More Regulatory Committee The Regulatory Committee monitored the filing by IPPBC legal counsel of submissions with the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) with respect to BC Hydro’s GMS Turbine Replacement project, Mica Switchgear project and its acquisition of a one-third undivided interest in Teck’s Waneta project.....Read More First Nations Committee As noted in the Executive Director’s report, this Committee intends to offer its assistance to Government and First Nations with the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund, drawing on the experience of IPPBC Members that have working relationships and financial relations with First Nations......Read More Public Affairs Committee Public relations activities this year have included release of the Price Waterhouse report on IPP economic benefits; a Victoria reception for MLAs;.....Read More Click here for a pdf version of the June 2010 newsletter.