Power Generation

 

There are many different ways to generate electrical power.  Power generation technologies that are now known include hydroelectric, thermal, wind, tidal, geothermal, solar and nuclear.  Not all of these technologies are currently in use in British Columbia.  For example, for policy reasons, B.C. does not have any nuclear power plants.

 

In 2002, the B.C. government announced that under its new energy policy, it will be looking entirely to independent power producers to construct B.C.’s new generating facilities and capacity.  Whereas under previous energy policies the B.C. government focused on the development of publicly-owned mega hydroelectric projects (e.g., the Peace and Columbia River projects), the new policy opens the door to all kinds of smaller, privately owned power generation plants.  It seems likely that this policy will lead to the construction of more thermal power plants and increased depletion and burning of fossil fuels, including coal.

 

Power generation in the province falls under the regulation of the B.C. Minister of Energy and Mines.  Certain decisions regarding pipelines, energy development and trade are also administered by the (federal) National Energy Board.

 

Significance of Power Generation for Watershed Protection:

Electrical power generation projects have the potential to impact upon the environment in many significant ways.  In almost every case, the local habitat (land, air, water) and the life it supports will be disturbed in some way; similarly, transmission lines will need to be built to transport the electricity to another location.  Other impacts vary, depending upon the kind of project being built, and where the project is to be located.  Specific discussions of the impacts relative to different kinds of power generation projects are discussed at the links below.  Which kind are you interested in?

 

·         Building Dams:  Hydroelectric Power Generation

·         Thermal Power Generation

·         Other Power Generation (wind, tidal, geothermal and nuclear)

 

Various laws regulate power generation facilities and activities in British Columbia.  Some are discussed in greater detail in the above links.  However, there are several acts of general application that will be relevant to many or most types of power generation.  These include:

 

·         Environmental Assessment Act – Before larger power generation facilities are constructed, it will often be necessary for the company building it to conduct an environmental assessment, evaluating the impact of the proposed project on the environment.

·         Utilities Commission Act – The Utilities Commission, an arms-length government agency created under this act, is charged with regulating power generation in B.C.

·         Waste Management Act – Any waste from a power generation facility – whether effluent dumped into water or emissions pumped into the air – will be regulated under the province’s Waste Management Act. 

·         Water Act – Power facilities that require water will need to get licences under B.C.’s Water Act. 

·         National Energy Board Act – Energy projects with an inter-provincial or international aspect will also be regulated by the federal government under the National Energy Board Act. 

 

Most administration of power projects is carried out at the provincial level; but, the federal government is concerned with cross-provincial pipelines, energy exports, trading, and nuclear energy. 

 

It bears noticing that local governments may have an effect on power generation projects, through the passage of zoning and other land use bylaws concerning projects within the local government boundaries.  Want to find out more about local government planning?  Visit Urban Planning (Local Government).

 

Turning the Energy Capacity Problem on Its Head:  Reducing Demand

 

New power generating projects look to increase the supply of power, in response to an increase in demand for energy.  However, another way to balance the power equation is to reduce the demand for energy by increasing energy efficiency and improving conservation initiatives.

 

Power Smart is B.C. Hydro’s program for increasing efficiency and encouraging conservation measures.  One of the first steps in the program asks energy users to take an inventory of their current power usage, so that they can identify where energy consumption is higher than it should be.  Strategies are then developed for finding ways to reduce energy consumption, both by changing habits and by using equipment or implementing more efficient building standards.  To learn more about these initiatives, visit:

 

·         Power Smart at Home

·         Power Smart for Business

 

Related Guide Pages:

·         Building Dams:  Hydroelectric Power Generation.

·         Thermal Power Generation.

·         Other Power Generation (wind, tidal, geothermal and nuclear).

 

For more information on Power Generation and Sustainable Energy Strategies:

 

·         The Sustainable Energy page of the Pembina Institute for Appropriate Development website.

·         The Climate Change - Solutions - Electricity page of the David Suzuki Foundation.

·         “What can we do about climate change?” on the Environment Canada website.

·         “Acquiring Power:  Green IPPs” on the B.C. Hydro website.