BC Issues Feed-In Tariff Consultation Paper


The British
Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources has
issued an Intentions paper on a propose Feed-In Tariff Regulation
under the recently passed href=”http://www.leg.bc.ca/39th2nd/1st_read/gov17-1.htm”
target=”_blank”>Clean Energy Act.



The objective of the proposed Feed-In Tariff is to support
fulfillment of British Columbia’s Energy Objectives.  The new
regulation is scheduled to come into force in early 2011.



The Regulation would require the BC Hydro to establish a feed-in
tariff (“FIT”) in accordance with the Act.  It would set out
eligibility criteria for participation in a FIT along with other
key aspects of the program.  Full details of a FIT would be
established by BC Hydro based on the requirements of the
Regulation.



The full process for establishing the regulation consists of the
following stages:




  • Scoping  - reviewing existing FITs in
    other jurisdictions, with particular focus on their relevance to
    the British Columbia electricity sector;





  • Consultation Paper - This paper outlines the
    Ministry’s intentions for drafting the regulation;





  • Consultation - hearing from interested
    stakeholders and the general public via responses to the
    Consultation Paper and other means as required;





  • Drafting - preparing legal language for
    consideration by the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum
    Resources (“the Minister”) and Lieutenant Governor-in-Council
    (Cabinet);





  • Decision by the Lieutenant Governor-in-Council
    on whether to enact a Feed-In Tariff Regulation; and





  • Implementation - informing government staff
    and external stakeholders of the regulatory requirements, and
    enabling effective implementation should a Feed-In Tariff
    Regulation be brought into force.



The purpose of the Consultation Paper is to inform stakeholders
and the general public of Government’s intentions to develop the
Regulation, to provide relevant background information and to
solicit comments for consideration when drafting the
Regulation. 



Differences from existing FITs are presented, and the process by
which feedback can be given is detailed.  The discussion
questions included in the paper are not intended to limit the scope
for stakeholder or public input during the consultation
process. 



The Intentions Paper can be accessed by clicking href=”http://www.empr.gov.bc.ca/RET/RenewableEnergyTechnologies/Documents/Feed%20In%20Tariff%20Consultation%20Paper.pdf”
target=”_blank”>here



The deadline for submitting responses to the Intentions Paper is
September 30, 2010



Source: www.empr.gov.bc.ca

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