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Twenty-six B.C. projects will receive funding thanks to an investment in clean and innovative industry.

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B.C. invests in cleaner, more innovative industry

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 12:24 PDT, Wed September 14, 2022

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The province is investing in projects that will reduce climate pollution, create job opportunities for people in the clean economy, and support innovation in industry.

"Our government is cutting carbon emissions and creating good jobs in communities across B.C. with the CleanBC Industry Fund—an internationally recognized program that supports climate solutions," said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation. "We are investing in projects that spur innovation and are building a path to net-zero emissions."

The CleanBC Industry Fund is investing $25 million in carbon tax revenue to support 26 new projects that will cut emissions, fast-track innovation, and advance future emissions reductions. The projects are part of the third round of the program and will leverage close to $12 million of additional funding from industry into the clean economy.

The projects fall under three streams: emissions performance, innovation accelerator, and project feasibility studies. One of the innovation accelerator projects, receiving $127,500, will happen in Richmond. Innovation accelerator projects fast-track innovation with advanced clean technologies that show promise as potential solutions to reduce industry emissions.

FortisBC Energy Inc. will undertake a satellite leak survey, using the natural gas distribution system around Richmond as a testbed. The project will investigate the feasibility of a satellite-based methane detection technology. Learning will help detect and quantify leaks throughout B.C. along FortisBC Energy Inc.'s natural gas distribution system.

The CleanBC Industry Fund is an important part of the CleanBC Roadmap to 2030, the province's plan to expand and accelerate climate action by building on B.C.'s natural advantages—abundant and clean electricity, innovative technology, and a highly skilled workforce. It sets a path for increased collaboration to build a British Columbia that works for everyone.

The CleanBC Industry Fund is a central part of the CleanBC Program for Industry, which was recognized with an award for the most creative climate solution at the 2021 United Nations climate conference in Glasgow by the Under2 Coalition, a global alliance of state and regional governments committed to ambitious climate action. Provincial funding for the first three rounds of CleanBC Industry Fund projects is more than $160 million, with more than $220 million coming from industry and other sources.

In total, current CleanBC Industry Fund projects are expected to cut more than approximately 6.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions over a 10-year period, which is the same effect as removing 138,000 cars from the road each year during that time.

To learn more about CleanBC Industry Fund and to see the full list of projects, visit cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/industryfund