The B.C. government introduced legislation to speed up the construction of a high-voltage electricity power line in northern B.C.
Premier David Eby says that these regulatory changes aim to create economic growth by ensuring electricity supply for energy-demanding sectors in that part of the province faster.
The provincial government sees the North Coast Transmission Line (NCTL), which will run between Prince George and Terrace, as an economic facilitator for jobs, decarbonization, and public revenue.
Eby especially mentions sectors such as LNG, mining, and AI data centres.
“It will mean major industrial connections for sectors like mining, natural gas and manufacturing are prioritized,” said Eby during a press conference in Victoria on Monday.
“These are the sectors that create those good jobs that support whole communities and create the revenues for government to be able to pay for the services that people depend on.”
Eby announced that the regulatory changes will be implemented this fall and construction is scheduled to start summer 2026. He calls the NCTL “a nation-building project.”
Already in Janurary this year, the government said it would make legislative amendments to streamline the permitting process of the electrical project.
“Through regulation, we intend to make it easier for companies to make that final decision by getting them access to clean, sustainable power at fair rates without billions of dollars in upfront costs that can stifle investment,” Eby added.
“This is about building a modern economy.”
The government argues that the legislative amendments are necessary to avoid the cost of energy going up. It says it has learned from other jurisdictions where electricity demands from emerging sectors have caused spikes in the power bill.
“We’re taking action to build the NCTL as fast as possible to accelerate the development and construction of major industrial projects and bring good, well-paying jobs to people in B.C.,” said Energy and Climate Solutions Minister Adrian Dix who joined Eby.
The legislation will also include a ban on new power line connections to cryptocurrency mining facilities, as those have a “disproportionate energy consumption and limited economic benefit.”
According to the province, the new power line will generate about $950 million annually in public revenues and “prevent two to three million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.”
However, criticism comes from several environmental organizations, among others, the Climate Action Network and Stand.earth.
Beyond criticizing that the new legislations will “greenwash fossil fuel development – LNG in this case”, they oppose subsidizing the construction of the NCTL with taxpayer money.
Sven Biggs, Canadian Oil and Gas Program Director at Stand.earth, says that the NCTL will predominantly supply energy for new LNG terminals – next to the one in Kitimat.
“There is no way that the North Coast Transmission Line moves forward without the massive demand from new LNG terminals,” he said in a written statement.
The organizations remind the government of polls that indicate low public support for using tax dollars in building fossil fuels infrastructure.
