The B.C. Ministry of Energy and Mines yesterday announced the Greenhouse Gas Reduction regulation, which aims to advance the use of natural-gas-operated vehicles in B.C.
Local clean-tech Westport Innovations Inc., which builds engines that run on cleaner-burning fuels, said the program will benefit B.C.'s economy, environment and transportation options for industry.
The regulation permits a utility to spend up to $62 million on vehicle and ferry incentives, up to $12 million on compressed natural gas (CNG) fuelling stations and up to $30.5 million on liquefied natural gas stations, for a total of $104.5 million.
David Demers, CEO of Westport Innovations, said, "This is a positive step that will promote the use of domestic B.C. natural gas as a transportation fuel, and generate both environmental and economic benefits for our province and residents.
"B.C. is home to world-class companies that both generate and use natural gas transportation technology, and this program will allow the accelerated adoption of natural gas heavy-duty vehicles."
The regulation allows utility companies to deliver natural gas transportation programs until March 31, 2017, including the opportunity to:
- offer incentives to transportation fleets that would use natural gas such as buses, trucks or ferries;
- build, own and operate compressed natural gas fuelling stations or liquefied natural gas fuelling stations; and
- upgrade facilities to provide training to safely maintain natural gas vehicles;
The Greenhouse Gas Reduction regulation will promote the use of natural gas resources as a transportation fuel in heavy-duty transport vehicles, such as trucks, transit buses, school buses, refuse trucks and marine vessels.
The program's objectives include displacing high carbon fuel, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing natural gas fuelling infrastructure.
The province will require annual reporting on the programs being offered to review success and determine if any changes are required.
