A report weighing the role gas could play in B.C.’s clean energy transition was edited to remove sections stating electrification and heat pumps are a more efficient path to decarbonize the province, documents obtained through a freedom of information request show.
Another section struck from the report says the City of Vancouver’s plan to phase out natural gas should be extended across the province. Citing a “diversified approach” to meet B.C.'s climate goals, Sorace said decarbonizing the gas system would offer customers an expanded choice at a time when BC Hydro estimates it needs to add about 3,000 GWh of new electricity capacity by 2029 — roughly equal to heating 270,000 homes.
A similar debate is playing out on Vancouver Island, where representatives from the private utility have cited the edited report as evidence for gas’s potential staying power. Nanaimo city councillor Ben Geselbracht said the deletions raised serious concerns over the independence of a report touted as neutral and backed by the province.
“This is not lying by omission,” added BC Bioenergy Network director Scott Stanners. “That information was out of scope. It is a serious misrepresentation to claim this is lying.” Like conventional natural gas, RNG is mostly methane. By capturing that methane before it seeps into the air, one can theoretically prevent the release of a greenhouse gas over 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period.
Over those seven years, natural gas use in the building sector grew 55 per cent, 11 times more than an increase in electricity usage, and part of a long-term shift from electricity to natural gas use since its arrival on Vancouver Island in the 1990s, notes the report. FortisBC opposed adopting the code, calling for more consultation. But on July 26, council decided to send the proposal for to a vote in September.
“It's tapping into this whole ‘freedom — not having government take away our choice’ narrative,” said Geselbracht. The internal documents break down a messaging playbook for every region of the world, tailoring messaging around the promotion of gas based on the “environmental-consciousness” of the market.
Sorace said FortisBC backs the B.C. government's goals to decarbonize, but that there's a lot of uncertainty that BC Hydro can ensure there's enough electricity supply to feed the province's growing demand. The company spokesperson said that's one reason why several references to the advantage of electricity were removed from the report.