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Province Releases New Clean Energy Strategy
BC Government
Last Thursday, the Province released Powering Our Future: B.C.'s Clean Energy Strategy, which outlines the actions to accelerate the shift to clean energy and create new opportunities for people and businesses throughout B.C.
Several items align with CHBA BC’s asks during our Legislature Day in November 2023.
Some highlights include:
- investing more than $700 million in BC Hydro energy-efficiency programs over the next three years — a 60% increase from BC Hydro's last energy-efficiency budget;
- streamlining upgrades and new customer connections to BC Hydro's electricity grid to support the construction of new housing developments in growing communities;
- conducting regular, competitive calls for power every two years to ensure B.C. has the clean electricity it needs as the economy and population continue to grow, and is preparing for a future where electricity use needs double by 2050; and
- integrated utility planning between BC Hydro, FortisBC and Pacific Northern Gas (PNG) to help keep our energy system affordable, reliable and efficient in the transition to clean energy and a net zero economy.
To share comments or feedback, please contact Jenny Scott, CHBA BC's Director, Policy & Government Relations or Pauline Rupp, Director, Technical & Building Innovation
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Details of Time of Date Electricity Rates and Solar Rebates Released
BC Hydro
BC Hydro has published its new Energy Efficiency Plan, which incorporates new and expanded programs for residential, commercial, and industrial customers, as well as a new solar program with targeted incentives for the installation of solar panels and batteries.
- PV and battery storage rebates: Eligible homeowners can receive BC Hydro rebates totalling as much as $10,000 for installing a qualified solar photovoltaic (PV) system and battery-storage system together. BC Hydro will also be rolling out targeted rebates for apartment buildings, schools, community organizations, local governments, small businesses, social-housing providers and Indigenous communities, which could go up to $50,000 to $150,000 based on the individual customer. The rebates will be available later in July.
- Time of Day rates: Participating customers will receive a 5-cent discount for each kilowatt hour of electricity consumed during overnight periods (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.), and a 5-cent surcharge for each kilowatt hour of electricity consumed during the on-peak period (4 to 9 p.m.). The rates for the remaining hours of the day will stay the same. BC Hydro has acknowledged that this option may not be right for everyone, which is why the choice is completely optional and customers can opt in or out without penalty.
BC Hydro’s updated 10-Year Capital Plan (2024/25 to 2033/34) includes almost $36 billion in community and regional infrastructure investments across the province, an increase of 50% over its previous capital plan.
View the full news release.
View BC's Clean Energy Strategy.
View BC Hydro's new Energy Efficiency Plan.
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Housing Targets for the Second Set of Priority Communities
BC Government
The provincial government has released the housing targets for the next 10 municipalities on its list of priority communities. The following are the five-year housing targets:
- Central Saanich - 588 units
- Chilliwack - 4,594 units
- City of North Vancouver - 3,320 units
- Esquimalt - 754 units
- Kelowna - 8,774 units
- Maple Ridge - 3,954 units
- Nanaimo - 4,703 units
- Sidney - 468 units
- Surrey - 27,256 units
- White Rock - 1,067 units
The remaining 10 municipalities — Colwood, City of Langley, Mission, New Westminster, North Cowichan, North Saanich, Port Coquitlam, Prince George, View Royal, and West Kelowna—are expected to receive their housing targets in the summer.
CHBA BC is planning on hosting a webinar on the Province's one-window permitting strategy. If you have any questions related to provincial permitting and the new Building Permit Hub, please send them to Jenny Scott, Director, Policy and Government Relations at [email protected] for inclusion in the webinar.
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New Research Asks, Does High-Performance Construction Cost More?
BC Housing
A new case study by BC Housing reviews the cost and energy performance of 38 BC Housing buildings, and the resulting data says high performance does not have to cost more.
The construction and performance of three of the 38 buildings is highlighted and examined in depth in the case study.
You can read the full case study here.
BC Housing also recently released the results of its Licensed Residential Builder Survey. The annual, province-wide survey includes builder profile information, construction activities, and satisfaction related to educational opportunities.
You can read a summary of the survey here.
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Fulfill Your CPD Needs at Education Summit 2024 This October
CHBA BC
Taking place on October 23 & 24, 2024 in Richmond, Education Summit 2024, co-hosted by CHBA BC and the Building Officials’ Association of BC (BOABC), will include these important topics:
- Wildfire resistance for Part 9 residential buildings
- Single egress for low to midrise MURBS
- Adaptability in dwellings
- Leadership in Communication
All sessions will be submitted for CPD points through BC Housing and BOABC.
This year, the Summit will include a Networking Reception on Oct 23rd from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, open to all conference delegates, students and sponsors.
REGISTER NOW
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Weekly Update
Canadian Home Builders' Association of British Columbia
400-6400 Roberts Street | Burnaby, B.C., V5G 4C9
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