Ignoring warnings about rising energy bills, B.C. and U.S. plan more gas exports
Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump promises a dramatic expansion of the LNG industry starting next week. And British Columbia is going along for the ride.
“I will approve the export terminals on my very first day back,” Trump said at a rally last year. Meanwhile B.C. Premier David Eby is following the same path on LNG, throwing his government’s support behind new gas projects.
Sierra Club BC, West Coast Environmental Law, Ecojustice
Gaps in BC mandate letters threaten progress on climate and biodiversity commitments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 16, 2025
Sierra Club BC Director of Campaigns and Programs Shelley Luce offers the following statement in reaction to mandate letters sent to Cabinet ministers today by Premier Eby:
British Columbia’s New Democratic Party (BC NDP) was just re-elected in a campaign where they touted their climate leadership. Despite these reassuring words, Canadians concerned about climate change should pay close attention to what's happening. The province has turned into a climate laggard, with emissions stuck far above 1990 levels. And, perhaps shockingly, all the increase in climate pollution has happened while the BC NDP has been running the government.
Vancouver City Council voted Wednesday night to reinstate a ban on natural gas in new buildings, reversing a decision it made in July.
After two days of deliberations and input from over 140 local residents, council members voted in favour of banning gas for space and water heating entirely, rather than allowing it with stricter energy efficiency requirements. The main motion, which took the form of a proposal to reverse the city’s 2020 ban on gas in new construction, was defeated on a tie vote.
