Division resources

Ministry of Environment

Proposed Small Electrical Power Generating Facility Code of Practice

The Ministry of Environment intends to introduce a Small Electrical Power Generating Facility Code of Practice (SEPGF). The objective of the proposed Code of Practice is to ensure that small facilities that combust fuel in order to generate electrical power for commercial applications are regulated under the same standards as other facilities – including those that combust fuel to generate electricity or to gener¬ate heat energy for other uses (such as heating green houses or drying lumber).  

Currently under the Waste Discharge Regulation of EMA, establishments that are engaged in the production of electricity by the combustion of fuel, and have a rated production of less than 5 megawatts under peak load do not require an authorization to discharge waste into the environment. The Ministry intends to amend EMA to include these facilities and develop a Code of Practice to regulate the discharge of waste into the environment from these facilities.

One of the key reasons for this proposal is the consideration of BC Hydro’s Standing Offer Program. The Standing Offer Program encourages the development of small and clean or renewable energy projects throughout British Columbia. As the small scale electrical power generating industry develops, the Ministry of Environment would like to protect the environment and provide regulatory certainty for industry.

The content of the proposed regulatory changes is outlined in the policy intentions paper below.

Public Consultation Process

Interested parties are encouraged to read the policy intentions paper and provide any comments to the Ministry of Environment on the response form below, or by fax, email or letter to the consultation contact indicated below.

Web Consultation Contact

The Ministry has contracted Cindy Bertram of C. Rankin & Associates to manage the consultation process. Please review the posted policy intentions paper, and submit comments by fax, e-mail, letter, or in the applicable response form by November 14, 2011. Cindy Bertram’s contact information is:

Email: cindybertram@shaw.ca
Fax:     250 598-9948
Mail:    PO Box 28159, Westshore RPO, Victoria, B.C.  V9B 6K8

If you are unable to download a copy of the policy intentions paper from this website or if you have any questions about the policy intentions paper or the response form please contact Cindy Bertram at cindybertram@shaw.ca.