Nov. 2015 - BCSEA Monthly - Holiday Appeal
- Details
- Published on Wednesday, 18 November 2015 13:45
- Written by editor
Announcing our Holiday Appeal
With the holiday season nearly upon us, BCSEA is pleased to announce that we will be supporting the development of some exciting new initiatives while also investing further in some of our signature programs with a 2015 Holiday Appeal.
At BCSEA we firmly believe that the low-carbon economy represents a massive economic and environmental opportunity for our citizens, communities, and businesses, and we want BC to participate fully in its many benefits. In light of the upcoming UN Conference on Climate Change and opportunities created by the Liberal Party’s recent federal election win, this is a key moment... for us to act. With the support of our members and friends who share a passion for and commitment to an economy and society built on clean, renewable energy, BCSEA will lead the way for change in BC.
Look out for an email from us soon with more information on the appeal.
Political, not partisan, on sustainable energy and climate change
Our chapter volunteers worked hard during the federal election. The Kamloops Chapter sent out candidate questionnaires on sustainable energy and posted the answers on our website. The Vancouver and Victoria Chapters partnered with the Dogwood Initiative and staged candidates debates in six federal ridings. Meanwhile, BCSEA head office posted its analysis of the parties’ platforms along with a call to “Vote for Sustainable Energy and the Climate.”
Our goal was to put sustainable energy and climate change into people's minds and onto the political agenda. And we did great! We advertised widely and got good local media coverage. 2,000 voters came to hear candidates defending their parties’ and their own positions on sustainable energy and climate change. Voters and candidates alike praised our informative and non-partisan approach. “The best candidates debate I’ve ever been at,” said one candidate.
Results? We don’t claim sole credit, but the party whose candidates shunned our debates and questionnaire went from 40% to 23% of the vote in the ridings where we worked, and from two seats to one. The other major parties made big commitments on sustainable energy and climate change. These are now mainstream issues.
Next up: Ensuring the new government delivers on its energy and climate change promises.
BCSEA Stands Up for Standing
In the legal world, citizens and public interest groups face an ongoing struggle for “standing” -- the right to be a party in a proceeding, the right to be heard. BC residents are familiar with the National Energy Board’s denial of standing to hundreds of people who wanted to participate in the review of the Kinder Morgan TransMountain Pipeline Expansion project. Another “standing” debate is brewing on the provincial side. The BC Utilities Commission recently proposed adopting restrictive standing rules similar to ones that have seriously eroded public confidence in the NEB. BCSEA and Sierra Club BC have filed written arguments strongly opposing this move. Contact BCSEA Policy Director Tom Hackney at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more.
City of Vancouver Adopts 100% RE Strategy
After adopting a 100% renewable energy target in March, city staff produced a strategy to reach the target with input from BCSEA and other stakeholders. Vancouver’s City Council has now unanimously adopted the strategy, setting the stage for more detailed implementation planning. You can read the draft strategy here (following the administrative report), and executive summary here. The complete version will be available in December.
From the Blog
Bullfrog Power and BC's Kitasoo/Xai'Xais First Nation Partner on School Solar Project
BCSEA member Bullfrog Power has partnered with the Kitasoo/Xai’Xais First Nation to develop the Klemtu Solar Project on a school rooftop in Klemtu, located on British Columbia’s Central Coast. The power generated by the project will help the community to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels like diesel and to generate clean, pollution-free electricity.
Read MoreIn the News
- Northern Gateway pipeline believed dead as Federal government moves to ban crude oil tanker traffic along BC’s north coast Read Article
- Economic analysis commissioned by Clean Energy Canada finds steady GDP growth and 900,000 new jobs by 2050 as BC cuts carbon pollution Read Article
- Resolution to restart carbon tax increases defeated at recent Union of BC Municipalities convention; Pembina examines the common ground underlying the debate Read Article
BCSEA Featured Member
Canada Ticket has been providing high quality tickets, tags and labels in Canada since 1979. They pride themselves as being a leader in reducing power consumption during the production process and limiting their carbon footprint. Their Langley-based facility is home to one of BC’s largest solar installations with 200 panels, which complements their Power-Smart initiatives.
Canada Ticket is a member of the Fortis BC Green Leader program and is the first company in BC to be a 100% renewable natural gas customer.
Upcoming Events
- 11/18, Passive House Talk with Matt Parks, Vernon
- 11/28, BCSEA 2015 Annual General Meeting, Victoria
- 11/29, Kamloops Climate Rally, Kamloops
- 11/29, Global Climate March, a city near you
- 11/30, BCSEA Kamloops Steering Committee Meeting, Kamloops
Visit our full listing for more events from BCSEA and our partners
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