Articles related to environmental advocacy, legislation, policy, and relevant news.
BC Hydro has announced a new incentive program that will offer rebates for the installation of rooftop solar and battery-storage systems in residential, commercial and institutional buildings. Beginning in July 2024, the program will provide up to $10,000 rebates for homeowners and $50,000-$150,000 rebates for local governments, schools, and businesses.
Last week, the Province introduced From Flood Risk to Resilience: a BC Flood Strategy to 2035. The Flood Strategy outlines the Province’s direction for flood management, and includes 25 concepts to improve flood resilience. While the UBCM membership has consistently requested that the Province be established as the diking authority in all local governments, the Flood Strategy confirms that the Province will not assume this role.
The provincial government has released its summary of the 2023 provincial wildfire season, confirming the record-setting level of destruction. This season saw more than 2.84 million hectares burned across BC, which is more than double the area of forest and land that was burned during any previous year on record.
Between April 1 and October 31, British Columbia experienced 2,245 wildfires: