Environmental Quality Branch

WHAT'S NEW

1. Diesel School Bus Retrofit Program
January 2009

The Diesel School Bus Retrofit Program will retrofit B.C. school buses with new clean diesel technology, to reduce particulate matter emissions from diesel engines. This program stems from Action 7 of the B.C. Air Action Plan ("Clean up school buses.").

2. B.C. Air Action Plan
June 2008

The B.C. Air Action Plan allocates $28.5 million over three years to improve and enhance air quality across the province and protect British Columbians' health. The plan outlines 28 major actions that will address air pollution from all sources.

3. B.C.'s Idle-Free Ambassadors: Youth Climate Action across the Province
July 2008

The Idle-Free Ambassador Project is a new initiative launched by the Ministry of Environment. The ambassadors, who represent B.C.’s new Youth Climate Leadership Alliance, are promoting vehicle-idling reduction in communities throughout the province.

4. Landfill Gas Regulation: Intentions Paper and Consultation Process
January 2009

The Ministry of Environment developed the Landfill Gas Management Regulation under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Emissions Standards) Statutes Amendment Act, 2008. This regulation is effective as of January 1, 2009.

5. Proposed Changes to the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation: Intentions Paper and Consultation Process
December 2008

The ministry is currently consulting on solutions to the concerns raised and will be posting a second intentions paper in the new year that addresses the feedback received during the consultation opportunities to date.