A recent letter to the editor urged Premier Eby to “get off the fossil fuel bandwagon.”
Unfortunately, it fails to account for one of the gas system’s primary benefits: it is an existing, safe, reliable energy delivery system. The objective should be not to cut off access to it, but to introduce more low-carbon fuel options, which is exactly what FortisBC is doing with Renewable Natural Gas.
FortisBC is an energy delivery company – we provide both gas and electricity to communities across British Columbia. By using our gas infrastructure to carry renewable and low-carbon gas, we are reducing emissions while affordably meeting our customer’s energy needs, especially during peak winter heating demand – something the province’s increasingly stretched electricity system cannot easily do.
Both the provincial and federal governments recognize the importance of the gas system in meeting climate goals. Not leveraging the capacity of the gas system, means there is a missed opportunity to provide customers with renewable and low-carbon gases. The infrastructure and energy are available today – it is simply a question of how we can best use it to serve British Columbians.
We will continue to develop our renewable and low-carbon gas options so that we can contribute towards meeting B.C.’s climate goals, maintain affordability and provide choice for families and businesses. We hope that municipalities will recognize the opportunity this presents in meeting our energy needs.
Carmen LeBlanc,
Manager, Community & Indigenous Relations, FortisBC