Energy in British Columbia
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Increasing those energy revenues, largely from fossil fuel production, is a key part of the BC government's economic strategy. Yet the focus on revenue means unacceptable and unsustainable impacts on the land and in BC's communities. Those communities and First Nations are fighting back.
Revenues from energy and forestry drive the provincial economy. Since 2000, energy has overtaken forestry in terms of direct revenues to government.
The B.C. government’s regressive 2002 energy plan is heavily biased to increased revenue production and expanded fossil fuel extraction—with no community or First Nations control, token consideration for environmental protection, and virtually no thought to sustainable alternatives.
The three most alarming activities the government signalled it would promote in the energy plan are development of , coal-fired generation, and opening the coast to offshore oil and gas exploration.
This aggressive expansion is coupled with see-no-evil regulatory "streamlining" and giveaway royalty "regimes".
First Nations and communities are resisting this unleashing of profiteering corporations on B.C.'s landscapes and seascapes, opting instead for caution and development based on underlying principles of sustainability.
A range of initiatives is taking place across the province to curb the government grab for revenue from energy projects, at any cost.
Dogwood Initiative is active in a number of ways, catalysing diverse groups coming together in common purpose, informing and supporting local initiatives.
