B.C. to create one stop shop for renewable energy project permitting, regulation [Video]

The B.C. government says it will pass legislation this spring to bring all permitting and regulation of planned new renewable energy projects under the BC Energy Regulator (BCER).

The move would create a “single-window” permitting process for renewable energy processes, including nine recently announced, privately funded and majority First Nation-owned wind projects that will feed power to the BC Hydro grid.

The province has already announced that all future wind projects will be exempt from the environmental assessment process. The BCER, which has traditionally regulated the oil and gas industry, will now be tasked with fast-tracking wind and solar projects while ensuring they meet the province’s standards.

“We are looking at every way we can to ensure that, while maintaining high environmental standards, and maintaining our commitment to reconciliation, we can advance projects,” Energy and Climate Solutions Minister Adrian Dix said.

Dix said having a single agency overseeing the process will shave years off the approval process, …