This exemption positions FortisBC to begin construction of an expansion that will provide LNG to transportation customers as a cleaner alternative to diesel. The facility is expected to be providing LNG fuel by mid-2016.
To increase the adoption of natural gas in British Columbia’s transportation sector and deliver on the Province’s Natural Gas Strategy, government is also updating the greenhouse gas reduction regulation. It will now allow utilities to expand their incentives to include trains and mine-haul trucks and to provide tanker-truck delivery services to trucking, mining and marine-transportation customers. Government is also directing the BCUC to set an LNG dispensing rate of $4.35/gigajoule; this will help the transportation sector transition to adopt LNG as a fuel source and allow Northern and remote communities to switch to natural gas.
These actions will support new jobs and economic development by making it easier for the transportation sector, industrial facilities and remote communities to use natural gas. “Government wanted to get out of the way and allow the transportation fuel component of the LNG industry develop quickly,” Minister Bill Bennett stated.
“Today’s direction from government allows FortisBC to better support the province in the development of natural gas for the transportation sector. This announcement will also result in increased LNG supply, creating opportunities for industrial users and remote communities, bringing economic development and new jobs to B.C.” added John Walker, president and CEO of FortisBC.
Source: the Province of B.C. / FortisBC.
