Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Vehicle Emissions Standards) Regulation - Intentions Paper for Consultation
The Ministry of Environment is in the process of developing a regulation under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Vehicle Emissions Standards) Act. Enacted in May 2008, the Act enables implementation of a government commitment made in the 2008 Throne Speech to set vehicle greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards for new light duty vehicles being sold in British Columbia equivalent to those laid out in California's 2004 regulation. The Act also enables regulatory requirements for zero emission vehicle fleets; however, this portion of the Act is not being developed at this time. The relevant portions of the Act will be brought into force by the regulation — when (and not before) the equivalent California regulation and standards are implemented. The Act and regulation are part of the Ministry of Environment's work to support provincial government commitments to reduce greenhouse gases by at least 33% below current levels by 2020 — and to achieve a carbon neutral public sector by 2010.
The regulation of vehicle emissions standards will establish reductions in GHG emissions of 30% relative to current vehicle fleets — and would, by 2016, result in reducing British Columbia's GHG emissions by approximately 600,000 tonnes a year.
Requirements under the regulation will apply to vehicle manufacturers (not retailers or vehicle purchasers). The regulation may also apply to other persons (e.g., marketing affiliates of the manufacturer) who have a presence in B.C.
Consultation Summary Reports
The intentions paper for the regulation was posted in August 2008. Comments were solicited for a period of 45 days. Below is the intentions paper and a summary of the comments received.
Next Steps
Feedback that was received on the intentions paper is captured in the summary report. The Ministry would like to thank all those who contributed. All information received is being carefully considered in drafting this regulation, and future stakeholder meetings may be proposed as the regulation is developed.
Consultation Contact
The ministry has contracted Cindy Bertram of C. Rankin & Associates to manage the consultation process. Cindy Bertram's contact information is:
E-mail: cindybertram@shaw.ca
Fax: (250) 598-9948
Address: PO Box 5293
Victoria BC V8R 6NR
Please contact Cindy Bertram if you are unable to download a copy of the intentions paper from this website.
Comments received after the 45-day consultation period are reviewed by the ministry but may not have been included in the consultation summary report.
For information on the consultation process, see Consultation Information for Regulations. Information on the Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Vehicle Emissions Standards) Act and regulation, as well as other actions being taken to reduce GHG emissions in B.C., can be found at the Climate Action Secretariat website under the "progress" link.
November 2008
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