The British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines has announced the Greenhouse Gas Reduction regulation, an initiative to advance the adoption and deployment of natural gas vehicles (NGVs) in the province.

The regulation permits utility companies to spend up to $62 million on vehicle and ferry incentives, up to C$12 million on compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling stations and up to C$30.5 million on liquefied natural gas (LNG) stations, for a total of C$104.5 million.

Under the new regulation, utility companies can deliver natural gas transportation programs, including the following opportunities:

• Offer incentives to transportation fleets that would use natural gas, such as buses, trucks or ferries.
• Build, own and operate CNG fueling stations or LNG fueling stations.
• Provide training and upgrades to maintenance facilities to safely maintain natural-gas-powered vehicles.

In developing this regulation, the province consulted with about 20 organizations including utilities, fleet companies, communities, fuel suppliers and the natural gas vehicle industry.

“It makes sense to develop a market for natural gas transportation here in B.C. by using our abundant natural gas reserves,” says Minister of Energy and Mines Rich Coleman. “This regulation will help us build on our global leadership in clean transportation, bringing new jobs and more economic opportunities to the province.”