Pacific Energy Innovation Association

Charting Our Energy Future

Forum 2007

 Adapting & Applying

 California’s Greenhouse Gas Strategies

 in Canada

Monday, April 30^th, 2007

The Vancouver Club, 915 West Hastings Street, Vancouver

7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Breakfast, Lunch and Networking Reception Included

OVERVIEW

The Pacific Energy Innovation Association is convening PEIA Forum 2007 to stimulate discussion and action for reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions in British Columbia, the Western Provinces, and Canada generally.  Strategies and actions being adopted in other jurisdictions, particularly California, can point the way forward.

Program Highlights:

California's Energy & GHG Strategies

•  Jeffrey Byron, Commissioner, California Energy Commission
•  Dan Skopec, Undersecretary, California Environmental Protection Agency

Case Examples - Program That Work

•  Gene Rodrigues, Director, Energy Efficiency, Southern California Edison

GHG  Reductions in the Pacific Northwest

•  Michael Grainey, Director, Oregon Department of Energy
•  Jay Manning, Director, Washington Department of Ecology & Climate Change Challenge
•  British Columbia:  Climate Action Team

An Energy Vision for Western Canada in 2030 - Luncheon Address

•  Dr. John MacDonald, OC, Chairman & CEO of Day4 Energy Inc.

Western Canada’s GHG Responses - technology, efficiency, adaptation, lifestyle

•  Dr. Robert Evans, Director, Clean Energy Centre at UBC
•  Deborah Jones, Journalist, Globe & Mail Contributor
•  Energy/GHG Stakeholders

 Next Steps: GHG Reductions and Impacts

•  Dr. Roger Gale, President & CEO, GF Energy Inc., Washington, DC

The US speakers will provide information and insights in areas such as the following:

•  Collaborative processes for engaging all “players” (corporate & public) meaningfully;

•  The role of emission inventories (point source & mobile) in setting targets and priorities;

•  Instruments for “making it happen” – mandated goals & regulations; incentives & rate design; taxation & cost recovery;

•  Monitoring and evaluation – reporting & enforcement; budgets & value for money;

•  Carbon off-sets & trading in general;

•  Case examples of programs that have worked;

•  Opportunities for US – Canada collaboration.

The Canadian speakers will focus on identifying solutions which BC and Canada could adapt and adopt from the strategies, plans and experience of California and Pacific Northwest states, and on  specific opportunities for GHG/energy reduction in BC and Canada.

Most Canadians are keen to see action on climate change, and governments at all levels are taking responsibility for the issue.  The immediate challenge is to identify and implement cost-effective measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Strategies and actions now being adopted in other jurisdictions can point the way to move forward quickly and confidently.  California, the world’s sixth largest economy, is a leading jurisdiction which has determined that it’s time for serious action on climate change.  In September, 2006, the California Global Warming Solutions Act was signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, making California the first US state to limit GHG emissions.  This landmark legislation calls for GHG reductions to 1990 levels by 2020 (25% below “business as usual”), and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.  

In British Columbia, the recent Speech from the Throne and the BC Energy plan call for: 

•  An “aggressive target” to reduce GHG emissions to 33% below current levels by 2020, which will place emissions 10% below 1990 levels;
•  Net zero GHG emissions from all electric power plants by 2016;
•  Acquiring 50% of BC Hydro’s new resource needs through conservation by 2020;
•  Ensuring electricity self-sufficiency, including “insurance”, by 2016.
•  Establishing a standing offer for clean electricity projects up to 10 megawatts.

BC Premier Gordon Campbell’s meeting with Governor Schwarzenegger in Los Angeles in March, 2007, and the Governor’s planned return visit in May, 2007, indicate British Columbia’s commitment to follow California’s lead in GHG control, and to collaborate on projects like the Hydrogen Highway. 

Forum 2007 is designed to produce practical results for implementing GHG reductions in BC, through a two-phase approach:

•  PEIA Forum 2007 – “the initial spark”: Identifying successes realized elsewhere, which are adaptable in BC and Canada;

•  A Subsequent Action Phase – “fanning the flame”: Working with a group of energy/GHG stakeholders for six months to translate the results of Forum 2007 into achievable GHG/energy targets and implementation demonstrations. This is in line with PEIA’s Mission Statement “To initiate and promote discussion and action for energy innovation, efficiency and sustainability”

 PEIA Forum 2007 and the subsequent Action Phase will make a practical and significant contribution

 to energy/GHG control in British Columbia and Canada.