The BC government is accelerating the expansion of the BC electricity grid by allowing the BC Energy Regulator (BCER) to serve as a one-window regulator for the permits needed to support high-voltage electricity transmission projects like the North Coast Transmission Line (NCTL).
Under the Energy Resource Activities Act, the BCER can act as a one-window regulator by becoming responsible for the provincial authorizations needed for oil, gas, hydrogen, ammonia and methanol activities and for managing exploration, development, operations and restoration. The government said it also regulates geothermal resources under the Geothermal Resource Act and associated regulations and additional authorities.
In the spring, the province will amend legislation enabling the BCER to adjudicate permits and authorizations associated with the construction of the NCTL and other major high-voltage transmission lines. This will ensure that BC Hydro’s NCTL can provide clean power to regional industries and businesses quickly and efficiently.
The government said the changes maximize the BCER’s experience with linear infrastructure and one-window life-cycle regulation to expedite the permitting, approval, and construction of the NCTL in partnership with the province, BC Hydro, and First Nations.
“We urgently need to expand our electricity system in the North to meet the needs of growing industries that want to use clean energy to sustain and expand their operations, creating jobs and economic benefits for First Nations and communities,” Premier David Eby said in a statement. “The BC Energy Regulator is an experienced organization that has demonstrated expertise at getting projects moving quickly, while providing robust regulatory oversight through the life cycle of projects.”
Adrian Dix, minister of energy and climate solutions, explained that the NCTL’s quick construction will impact the progress of major critical minerals, future port expansions, and LNG, hydrogen, and other essential resource projects.
“We need to move this vital project forward to realize B.C.’s resource-development potential and create jobs and investment opportunities, while achieving provincial climate targets,” Dix said in a statement.
The BC north coast is currently served by one 500-kilovolt transmission line running from Prince George to Terrace, which is inadequate to meet the rising demand for clean energy resulting from growth and potential investment in areas like ports, critical-mineral exploration and mining, and LNG and hydrogen initiatives. The NCTL project will deliver a new transmission line approximately 450 kilometres between Prince George and Terrace.
The project will consist of two new transmission line segments and associated towers, as well as upgrades to the existing substation and capacitor station infrastructure. BC Hydro is coordinating with First Nations to determine the line's leading routes, and co-ownership is also being discussed among BC Hydro, the province, and First Nations.
Throughout its planning, development and construction phases, the project will require provincial permits under the Forest Act, the Heritage Conservation Act, the Land Act, the Wildlife Act and the Water Sustainability Act.