2023 has been a year of remarkable change in our world.  From unprecedented temperatures recorded in Europe to the devastating fire season here at home.  It is clear that our world is changing.  

As we observe these impacts, it is easy to be swept up in the negative messaging with which we are constantly presented by most media streams.  At times like this it is more important than ever, to not lose sight of the many positive actions being taken by industry, government and society at large.

In the 6 months between November 2021 and May 2022 there was an increase in large scale hydrogen projects globally of 31% from 520 to 680. As of May 2023, this number had climbed by another 50% to over 1000 projects totalling over US$320 billion.

A landmark event in 2023 was the opening of the 300th renewable natural gas (RNG) facility in north America up from just 30 in 2011.  While 300 facilities is impressive in its own right, as of July 2023, there were 178 more in construction and over 300 more in the planning stages.  But this drive towards renewable energy is not limited to North America.  The European Union last year set a goal to multiply RNG output on the continent twelvefold by 2030.

Here at home, since 2008, the Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund has committed over $110 million to support pre-commercial clean energy technology projects, clean energy vehicles, research and development, and energy efficiency programs.  The Green Municipal Fund, funded by the Government of Canada, has spent billions of dollars through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.  NRC has committed an additional $300 million between 2022 and 2027 to stimulate and help commercialize green energy technology development.  

These are but a few of the funding opportunities helping drive the sustainable energy transformation.  The Government of Canada has spent over $139 billion in support of clean energy development in the last 3 years alone.  Globally that number is approaching US$3 trillion over the past decade.

Board Update

In May of this year your Board spent several days in a workshop to develop a strategic plan for the next several years at BCSEA.  We are pleased to report that we will be continuing with our aggressive strategy of education, regulatory advocacy and public engagement.  In particular, look for a restart of the Energy Connections Conference after a hiatus of several years.  We look forward to continuing to serve our members and the community at large as we have for nearly 20 years.

Events

2024 marks the 20th year of operation for the BCSEA.  We will be planning events and celebrations to mark this historic year.  Stay tuned for information on how to participate.

The Board is excited to announce that this year we will be moving to a hybrid AGM.  It will be held on November 22nd at Langara College in Vancouver.  Additional details will be sent in the coming weeks, but we look forward to welcoming everyone, either virtually or in person. 

We have three webinars planned in the coming months.  If you haven’t already registered for our October 18 webinar, ‘Becoming a Climate Action Advocate in Your Community’ you can do so here.

November 1 we will be presenting ‘An Introduction to Agrivoltaics in BC’ and you can register here.  You’ll soon be hearing more about December 5 webinar on tidal power generation by Yourbrook Energy Systems.

The month of October includes two significant dates.  Energy Efficiency Day was on October 4th  and October 24 marks the International Day of Climate Action.  Visit these links to look for ways to participate and support the upcoming International Day of Climate Action.

Some of you may have noticed that we have had challenges with our membership portal on the BCSEA website.  We have been working diligently to rebuild this and we expect the improved portal to be up and running very soon.  More information will be out soon.

The Board recognizes that the BCSEA would not exist without the continued support of our loyal membership and donors.  It is through this continued support that your voice can be heard, and we can continue to execute on our mandate of creating a more sustainable energy future.  We urge you all to renew your memberships and invite your friends and colleagues to do so as well.  

Get involved.  We are having an impact.