The author argues B.C. should prioritize electrification over reliance on LNG to lower costs, cut emissions and support jobs.
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A newly elected provincial government in British Columbia is facing what the author describes as a record deficit, challenging trade conditions, rising living costs and worsening climate impacts.
The opinion says governments around the world are embracing renewable energy and electrification to address these interconnected challenges and argues B.C. can do the same. It also argues that aligning with Canada’s goal of becoming an energy superpower would bring more direct benefits to British Columbians than relying on exports such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), which the author says are primarily owned by non-Canadian companies.
The author says electrifying homes, vehicles and industries could lower household energy bills, create jobs, strengthen domestic supply chains, reduce air pollution, cut emissions and increase resilience to climate impacts.
The opinion argues that electrification also offers opportunities for workers, and it cites a claim that aligning the economy with net-zero emissions by 2050 could grow B.C.’s clean energy workforce by 317,700 jobs through investment in areas including clean electricity, buildings, transportation, critical minerals and mass timber. The author also says B.C. lacks an integrated, sector- and region-specific workforce plan to meet that demand.
The opinion contends that home and vehicle electrification can be key to consumer affordability and says the evidence cited from Clean Energy Canada indicates Canadians could save hundreds of dollars a month by switching to EVs and clean household technologies.
The author also says electrification would require working with the B.C. Utilities Commission, BC Hydro and FortisBC to modernize electricity distribution. The opinion adds that buildings could become hubs for small-scale energy generation, storage and management, allowing customers to participate in the electricity system and potentially earn money.
Turning to LNG, the author characterizes reliance on LNG exports as a high-risk strategy. The opinion cites Pembina Institute research saying global LNG markets have been disrupted by conflict in Iran and interruptions to Middle East supply routes, with the author arguing that LNG price spikes and volatility can make LNG unaffordable in price-sensitive markets.
The opinion also says new LNG export infrastructure costs tens of billions of dollars and takes decades to pay off. It argues that, at minimum, any new LNG investments should be led by the private sector, with the business case driving terminal and infrastructure financing without taxpayer dollars.
The author proposes that royalties from B.C.’s existing LNG sector should directly benefit British Columbians by modernizing the province’s energy systems and economy. The opinion also calls for strengthening the Oil and Gas Royalty Framework to collect 50 per cent of net profits and direct that revenue to clean energy investments.
The opinion concludes that B.C. should accelerate electrification while investing in the workers and infrastructure needed to make the transition succeed. The author, Jessica McIlroy, is described as the director of government relations with the Pembina Institute’s communities and decarbonization team.
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