Environmental Quality Branch

WHAT'S NEW

1. B.C. Expands Program to Scrap Inefficient Vehicles
March 2008

The Province is investing $15 million to enhance and expand the successful Scrap-It program across British Columbia, providing strong incentives to take old vehicles with higher greenhouse gas emissions off the road.

2. Summary of Public Comment:
Provincial Ambient Air Quality Criteria for PM_2.5 Ministry Intentions Paper
April 2008

The Ministry of Environment intends to establish provincial ambient-air-quality criteria for PM_2.5. A key part of this process is stakeholder consultation, based on an intentions paper released in January 2008. This Summary of Public Comment report summarizes the stakeholder submissions. A final decision on the proposed criteria is expected later this year.
PDF (129 KB / 14 pages)

3. Establishing a Visibility Goal for Wilderness and Urban Areas in British Columbia and Canada
March 2008

This consultant's report provides considerations involved in developing a visibility goal for urban and wilderness areas in British Columbia.
(703 KB / 39 pages)

4. B.C. Community Energy and Emissions Inventory Initiative
April 2008

The Community Energy and Emissions Inventory (CEEI) initiative is being undertaken to provide community energy- and greenhouse-gas-inventory reports for all B.C. local governments. These inventories will help municipalities plan and implement effective strategies for managing greenhouse gas emissions and energy use.

5. Dial the Ventilation Index hotline to find out if it's legal and environmentally safe to open burn in your area

The Ministry of Environment has set up a toll-free hotline for all parts of the province: 1-888-281-2992. It will give you the current and forecast Ventilation Index, along with an air quality report for each region. You will also find out whether or not it is safe to burn, and where you need to go for burning approvals. On the Internet, you can find the Ventilation Index at Environment Canada's weatheroffice website.