APPROPRIATE FUNDING FOR BC CLEAN ENERGY PLAN (2007)

The 2007 Throne Speech articulated an aggressive vision for implementing clean energy initiatives in British Columbia. The appropriate level of funding for the plan, in the near term, is too vague, and must be articulated just as clearly.

Clean energy is an extremely popular topic for the public in Canada. Perceptions of environmental friendliness are increasingly influencing the public as a consumer, and the public as a voter. The Throne Speech outlined long term environmental vision for the province that brought international recognition.

The subsequent budget did not strongly address the clean energy vision. The follow-up BC Energy Plan did not address the entire vision of the Throne Speech, and left the long-term issues vague. While this leaves future fiscal years more flexible, it also leaves uncertainty about which environmental initiatives the government deems most prudent, and which ones are too decadent.

THE CHAMBER RECOMMENDS

That the provincial government:

1. continue to work towards a 10-year plan expressing its priorities for funding BC Clean Energy;

2. make the completed plan available to the public in 2008; and

3. work with business, especially in considering the implementation of processes and systems, so that sustainable business models become a priority when developing and funding new BC Clean Energy technologies.