WHEREAS we are aware there is an abundance of natural gas in BC; AND WHEREAS there are many residents and businesses who, for economic, health and environmental reasons, are requesting access to our resource; AND WHEREAS the people need to require the British Columbia Utilities Commission to examine the natural gas extension test and connection policies in order to provide a more reasonable Utility System Extension Test: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province of BC, through the British Columbia Utilities Commission and in consultation with the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, review natural gas extension policies such that more residents and business throughout British Columbia can take advantage of the economic and environmental benefits of natural gas.
Ministry of Energy Mines Natural gas public utilities are regulated by the BC Utilities Commission BCUC including terms and conditions to extend service to new customers. The BCUC has approved a mains extension test where the cost-benefit analysis demonstrates a benefit to utility customers. At present, the natural gas utility FortisBC plans to apply to the BCUC for a revision of the mains extension test and policies in 2015. In advance of this application, FortisBC has established a stakeholder consultation process that includes a representative from the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training. The process also includes representatives from several communities that currently do not have access to natural gas. The Province encourages UBCM to become involved either by working with community representatives in this stakeholder process, or by registering as an intervener in FortisBCs forthcoming application to the BCUC. The BC Natural Gas Strategy, published in 2012, focuses on increasing natural gas use in applications where higher-carbon fuels are displaced, such as export where coal-fired power generation may be displaced and in domestic transportation where diesel is displaced.