Latest news with #Dix
Vancouver Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Capacity crunch? B.C. Hydro seeks proposals for more backup power for provincial grid
With no new big dams of its own to build, B.C. Hydro on Wednesday threw open a window for private developers to propose new sources of 'baseload' power to backup the growing list of renewable electricity proposals it's enlisting to expand the province's grid. 'Baseload' refers to sources of power utilities can turn on or off as needed, such as B.C. Hydro's existing dams. With this, Hydro is considering possibilities for geothermal, pump-storage hydro or even grid-scale batteries as a means to meet peak demand when intermittent wind and solar sources are less reliable. B.C. Energy Minister Adrian Dix didn't put a number on the amount of electricity Hydro might be looking for in a request for expressions of interest, just that 'we want to see what's out there and get those proposals in place.' Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Dix, however, characterized the step as 'a moment when we have to build again to diversify, to build the economy and to create wealth,' not dissimilar to the period of B.C.'s dam-building boom in the 1960s and 1970s. 'This call for power, though, is about the growth of our economy, about the opportunities in mining, about the requests for power that are at an extremely high level,' Dix said. 'We've got to build out clean electricity, which is one of our significant economic advantages in B.C.' Critics of the government's energy policy, however, look at the announcement as evidence that the ambitions in government's Clean B.C. plan to electrify the economy are putting a strain on the province's electricity grid. 'This is an acknowledgment that B.C. Hydro is facing a capacity crunch,' said Barry Penner, executive director of the Energy Futures Institute and former B.C. Liberal cabinet minister. Penner's Energy Futures Institute is one of the groups that has questioned whether Hydro is keeping up with demand, particularly since B.C. Hydro is in the third year of drought conditions that have pushed it to being a net importer of electricity. B.C. Hydro's Site C dam, which is expected to be fully in commission by the end of this year, will add eight per cent to B.C.'s electricity supply. Dix added that the 10 independent power projects approved last fall will add another eight per cent, but won't start coming online until 2028. On Wednesday, Penner acknowledged that it makes sense for Hydro to explore the capacity of future options, such as geothermal, but it shouldn't discount the potential of the existing natural-gas-fired power generation that it has on hand now, but is planning on decommissioning as part of its Clean B.C. plan. Penner added that he was attending the Go Clean Energy Conference in Bend, Ore., as he spoke to Postmedia News, where representatives from California talked about that state's plans to pause its plans to get rid of natural-gas-fired plants in light of long-term drought. 'There is some policy cognitive dissonance, shutting down existing capacity when they say we need more,' Penner said. Conservative Opposition critic Larry Neufeld said 'we need to be far less scared of natural gas.' 'We have nothing against green energy whatsoever, the geothermal, the biogas he's talking about,' said Neufeld, who is also the Tory MLA for Peach River North. 'Our concern would be, though, that investing too much in one area leaves us open to not fulfilling the baseload (requirements) as fully as it should be.' However, Mark Zacharias, a special adviser to the think-tank Clean Energy Canada, said 'there are many sources, all of them are … feasible and should be cost-competitive over time.' Considering regulatory timelines, Zacharias said grid-scale batteries would be the quickest to roll out and 'costs at grid scale are just plummeting.' On geothermal, Zacharias said B.C. has a 'medium' potential for the method, which taps heat from underground to power steam turbines, and 'has been successfully used around the planet.' Wednesday's announcement also included a request for expressions of interest for ideas for energy efficiency, which would reduce electricity use. This component does include a target to reduce some 2,000 gigawatt-hours worth of electricity use, the equivalent of powering 200,000 homes, to free up power for potential new industrial users. Hydro CEO Chris O'Riley said the utility wants to talk with potential partners about new technologies that could expand its 'leading energy-efficiency programs.' 'We are looking beyond the near term and opening up exploration of the next chapter of B.C.'s energy future,' O'Riley said. depenner@
Global News
6 days ago
- Business
- Global News
BC Hydro issues new call for baseload power supply
British Columbia's power utility wants to boost the province's baseload electricity generation capacity in a bid to meet the province's growing demand from residents and industries. Baseload capacity refers to constant and stable power sources, with Energy Minister Adrian Dix announcing BC Hydro's request for expression of interest from companies to provide geothermal or hydroelectric projects to expand long-term power capacity and meet peak demand. 2:12 BC Hydro selects 9 new wind power projects BC Hydro has also launched a second request, seeking partners who can deliver 'market-ready technologies' for boosting power conservation in homes and buildings across the province. Story continues below advertisement Dix says both requests are aimed at matching B.C.'s growth potential with stable and affordable electricity supply. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy BC Hydro has been dealing with a long-term drought that forced the province to import electricity last fiscal year. 2:15 BC Hydro rates going up 7.5 per cent over next 2 years The Crown utility says 13,600 gigawatt hours of power was imported in 2024 — about 22 per cent of all B.C's power — but that the province has been a net electricity exporter for eight of the last 15 years. The utility last year issued a call for power from renewable sources, later selecting nine wind and one solar project — but these are distinct from baseload projects because they rely on what BC Hydro calls 'uncontrollable conditions.'
Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Daily Record
Terrified fans took refuge in Liverpool pub after parade crash
Bobby Dix, who runs the Pig & Whistle pub, said around 80 people took shelter after the car was driven into dozens of Liverpool fans. A landlord in Liverpool says people "knocked out of the way" by the car involved in the parade crash took refuge inside his venue in the wake of the incident. Bobby Dix, who runs the Pig & Whistle pub on Covent Garden, said around 80 people took shelter after the car was driven into dozens of Liverpool fans. Thousands of people were in the city centre to celebrate the club's Premier League title-win. Mr Dix, who has been in charge of the pub since last summer, told the Echo: "It was a really joyful day until late. What happened for us was we saw violence kicking off about halfway up Covent Garden. We shuffled the people we had in the little queue inside. It was only after I locked down the pub and got inside that people were saying what they saw. "A couple of the people who were in had been knocked out of the way by people who got struck by the vehicle. They were really close to being hit and were saved by other people's misfortune. Other people were there and saw it. It was a horrific scene and they were just glad to be somewhere safe. For me it was just making sure people were warm and dry. "The spirit was actually good in the pub because everyone was safe. We were pouring beer and everything was okay. There were probably about 80 people in there, so I was close to capacity. Luckily capacity matched the demand." Mr Dix said that police advised him and his staff not to open the door onto Covent Garden, so they closed it for the rest of the evening. The landlord added: "We were on a bit of a lockdown. "They never stopped us from letting people leave but we had to escort them up through the accommodation and through a separate exit. It was probably an hour before people learned a bit more about the incident and were anxious to get out to find what happened to their friends and loved ones who were still out in the street." At least 65 people were injured as the car collided with pedestrians. Fifty of those were taken to hospital, with 11 still receiving treatment. They were all said by police to be in a stable condition and appearing to be recovering well. Merseyside Police confirmed today that a 53-year-old man, who was arrested at the scene, is from West Derby. He was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving offences and driving while unfit through drugs. We reported earlier today that the driver may have been attempting to follow an ambulance through the crowds. Multiple sources claimed that the driver of the Ford Galaxy had possibly tailgated an ambulance was a working theory for how the car had gained access to Water Street. At a press conference held this afternoon, Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims told the media police were following this line of enquiry. She said: "It is believed the driver of the Ford Galaxy car involved in this incident was able to follow an ambulance on Water Street. After the road block was temporarily lifted so the ambulance crew could attend to a member of the public who was having a suspected heart attack. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "As with many large events, with event organisers, we plan for all contingencies, and this included the implementation of road closures to protect pedestrians and an armed policing presence was also in place throughout the day. "There was no intelligence to suggest an incident of this nature would take place, and as we've previously stated, the incident is not being treated as terrorism." A large police presence remains around Water Street and Dale Street, as well as a number of side roads, as police continue to work at the scene. A large blue evidence tent remains on Water Street. Last night the streets packed with fans quickly emptied as police erected a huge cordon around the area. Mr Dix added: "It was more shock for most people. You know these things can happen when there's a big crowd, but you don't ever expect it. It was just a horrible thing. For something like this to happen at the height of everyone's emotions is really devastating. "It's a bit of a ghost town at the moment. It's a bit isolated. There's very little pedestrian traffic. It's mostly just sombre-looking, soggy police folk." Merseyside Police, who is receiving support from neighbouring forces, confirmed the suspect remains in police custody, with the force applying until tomorrow lunchtime (May 28) before they have to make the decision to charge or release him. Detective chief superintendent Karen Jaundrill, head of investigations at Merseyside Police, said: "Our detectives are of course speaking to any witnesses, including those injured, witnesses at the scene and emergency responders as we seek to get a full picture of exactly what happened. "In addition, extensive CCTV enquiries are being carried out across the city to establish the movements of the car, a Ford Galaxy, before the incident took place. We have already had an incredible response from many of those who were there on the day, and I thank them for their co-operation with our investigation."
Global News
08-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
B.C. government supports dredging Burrard Inlet so tankers can carry more oil
The B.C. government was initially opposed to the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion but is now supporting a proposal that would allow tankers to carry more oil through B.C. waters. Trans Mountain wants to increase the volume of oil each tanker transports but that would involve dredging the Burrard Inlet to prevent heavier tankers from hitting the sea floor. 'The circumstance now is that the pipeline can't be fully utilized because the ships would simply touch the bottom of the Burrard Inlet,' Adrian Dix, B.C.'s minister of climate and energy told Global News. 'So the proposal from the federal government, what they suggested would happen, is that there be some dredging done so that we have, there would be less traffic, ship traffic, in the Burrard Inlet and we don't have ships leaving Vancouver after we spent $34 billion on the pipeline and going down to the United States to fill up before they go, say to Asia.' Story continues below advertisement Dix said the B.C. government would have no issue with the proposal if it passes federal environmental checks and balances. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy He added that it would mean fewer ships travelling through the ports, which would be better for the environment. 2:47 BIV: Pipelines costs go way up Environmental groups, however, are against the proposal. 'The fact he is putting his support behind another fossil fuel project when this province is not going to meet its emissions targets is absolutely ridiculous,' Isabel Siu-Zmuidzinas with the Wilderness Committee said. Premier John Horgan actively opposed the original plan for the pipeline expansion to the point where the original owner, Kinder Morgan, unloaded it on taxpayers for $4.5 billion. The pipeline cost another $34 billion to complete, according to the opposition Conservatives, partly because of the New Democrat opposition Story continues below advertisement 'It was David Eby and Adrian Dix who used every tool in the tool kit to block this pipeline,' Gavin Dew said. 'Now… suddenly when everyone is talking about international trade and trade diversification they're on board.' The plan to dredge the inlet is in its infancy and would need to be initiated by the federal government and would need to clear several environmental and regulatory hurdles.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Experts, politicians divided on how to get B.C. back on track for climate goals
B.C. Energy Minister Adrian Dix says increasing electrical capacity and renewable projects would be a "significant" step for clean energy and climate goals, but not everyone agrees. The call for new projects comes in the wake of B.C.'s latest climate accountability report that shows the province is not on track to meet its emissions reduction goals for 2030. The 2024 Climate Change Accountability Report , released last week, reveals that, under current policies and programs, B.C. is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by just 20 per cent from 2007 levels by 2030 — falling short by half of its emissions reduction targets. Critics of B.C.'s efforts to reach its ambitious climate goals say the province can't expect to achieve them while continuing to pursue new LNG projects, because they will add to the province's emissions. Marc Lee, a senior economist for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, is among those critics. "The key reason why B.C. is struggling to meet its targets is because we've committed to developing an LNG export industry," Lee said. "What's not in the report is that in just a couple months time, LNG Canada will open up in Kitimat and will increase our emissions by four to eight million tons per year." Dix did not respond directly when asked if B.C. would refrain from pursuing future LNG projects in the interest of meeting its climate goals. He instead said that transportation made up the biggest increase in emissions in 2022, which is the most recent available data provided by the province. Dix said B.C.'s second call for power to boost electrical capacity and attract more renewable energy projects to the province is a critical step toward closing the gap to achieve future emissions targets. "This is the most really significant action we've seen on new renewable electricity since the 60s," he said. "It's good news for the planet, it's good news for the economy, and it's good news for CleanBC targets." However, some First Nations groups are worried these projects are being fast tracked at the expense of the environment. "When we hear fast tracking we immediately think that they're going to do it without consultation," said Robert Philips of the First Nations Summit Political Executive, though he added that the premier has assured him that wouldn't happen. WATCH | B.C.'s premier and energy minister are putting out a new call for electricity: Road to meeting future climate goals uncertain Kathryn Harrison, a professor of political science at the University of British Columbia, said she was encouraged to see increased transparency in this year's report, including a more realistic picture of which policies will lead to reduced emissions. She sees some policies working at moving the province closer to its goal and praised the call for new clean energy projects, but said B.C. needs to decarbonize "all aspects of our economy" to achieve future emissions targets. The climate accountability report lays out several CleanBC measures expected to begin around 2030 and contribute to future emissions targets, such as the zero-carbon building code. Harrison said this would make a difference when planning on how to meet future goals and thinks the province should also implement a zero-emission vehicle mandate for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, as well as move forward on an oil-and-gas emissions cap. "Time is really running out to get a 40 per cent reduction by 2030 — I think the key thing from my perspective is how soon will we get to 40 per cent, if not by 2030, can we do it in 2032?" she said. Harrison also noted that new LNG projects are likely to drive up emissions even more, pushing B.C. further away from its emissions targets. Jeremy Valeriote, interim leader of the B.C. Green Party, does not support the government's current LNG projects. (CBC) Jeremy Valeriote, interim leader of the B.C. Green Party, said he has been happy to see investments in transit and building retrofits. However, he added that he would like to see the province transition away from LNG and focus on renewable energy. "I don't think we should pursue the ones (LNG projects) that we have, I don't think they'll work out for us," he said. "But at the very least, the three that have been permitted, we should draw the line there — we certainly don't support any further projects." One challenge to accountability, Lee said, is that there is currently reduced attention on climate action in Canada and other countries, as tariffs and affordability concerns dominate political conversations. He feels this will need to change in order for the province to take more substantial action – and for it to make a difference for curbing the climate crisis. "If no one else is acting, then it doesn't matter what B.C. does … I think there's a bit of a collective action problem," he said.
