Re: “Greenest city promise hit by regulator decision,” Dec. 9.
To the contrary. On Dec. 8 the B.C. Utilities Commission granted Creative Energy a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity enabling us to begin development of an innovative low carbon neighbourhood energy system for North East False Creek.
The BCUC ruling clearly stated the project is in the public interest. It fulfills some of the city’s ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and shifting to renewable energy. This is consistent with nearly 200 nations that signed the Paris agreement on climate change this past weekend, including Canada.
Creative Energy — a regulated public utility — is pleased with the BCUC decision.
Lost in the media reporting on the ruling is the fact that in dense urban neighbourhoods such as NEFC, a neighbourhood energy system (district energy) is one of the most flexible and least cost ways to achieve deep and lasting reductions in GHGs, as evidenced around the world.
What the Commission did not approve, at this juncture, is a new Neighbourhood Energy Agreement between the city and Creative, specific to only three points. All are being addressed. The decision is not unusual, particularly when forging new territory.
It’s full steam ahead for Creative Energy.
Stacey Bernier,
President and CEO Creative Energy
