Renewable Energy Projects (Streamlined Permitting) Act
| Renewable Energy Projects (Streamlined Permitting) Act | |
|---|---|
| Citation | S.B.C. 2025 c. 13 |
| Assented to | May 29, 2025 |
| Legislative history | |
| Bill citation | Bill 14 |
| Introduced by | Bowinn Ma MLA, Minister of Infrastructure |
| First reading | April 30, 2025 |
| Second reading | May 13, 2025 |
| Third reading | May 28, 2025 |
| Status: Current legislation | |
The Renewable Energy Projects (Streamlined Permitting) Act is an act of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia with the goal of accelerating development of renewable energy.[1]
Provisions
[edit]The legislation gives the British Columbia cabinet overriding powers.[2]
Renewable energy projects and major power lines are exempted from environmental assessments and put the BC Energy Regulator, which is largely funded by the oil and gas industry, in charge of issuing permits[3]
Reception
[edit]The legislation was criticized by several First Nations leaders, the Union of British Columbia Municipalities as well as environmental groups.[1][4]
The act was criticised by the provincial Conservative Party as a "power grab".[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b DeRosa, Katie (May 29, 2025). "B.C. NDP government narrowly passes controversial bills to fast-track projects". CBC News. Archived from the original on July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
- ^ Palmer, Vaughn (May 6, 2025). "Far from cutting red tape, B.C. NDP fast-tracking law hands big overriding powers to cabinet". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on May 7, 2025. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ^ Waters, Shannon (May 15, 2025). "Bill 15: this 'blank cheque' legislation could dramatically change how B.C. approves major projects". The Narwhal. Archived from the original on May 16, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
- ^ Depner, Wolfgang (May 27, 2025). "Pressure mounts on B.C. NDP's fast-track bill ahead of critical vote". Global News. Archived from the original on May 29, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
- ^ Labbé, Stefan (May 1, 2025). "B.C. proposes back-to-back laws to speed up renewable energy, infrastructure projects". North Shore News. Archived from the original on May 1, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.