Protecting our environment
Performance summary1
| Indicator | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emissions | |||
| Direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (scope 1)2 (figures in tCO2e) | 153,000 | 130,000 | 158,000 |
| Indirect GHG emissions (scope 2)3 (figures in tCO2e) | 5,300 | 7,200 | 7,000 |
| Environmental benefits from FortisBC energy solutions | |||
| GHG emissions saved from natural gas used for transportation4 (figures in tCO2e) | 48,000 | 45,000 | 37,100 |
| GHG emissions saved from liquefied natural gas (LNG) used for marine bunkering (figures in tCO2e) | 9,000 | 17,000 | 34,200 |
| GHG emissions saved from Renewable Natural Gas5 (figures in tCO2e) | 7,700 | 8,900 | 11,100 |
| Reduction in criteria air contaminants (CAC) released to the environment through the use of LNG and compressed natural gas (CNG) by customers6 (figures in tonnes CAC) | 249 | 269 | 294 |
| Lifetime energy saved from conservation and energy management programs7 (figures in tCO2e) | 292,000 | 334,000 | 483,000 |
| Class 3 spills8 | |||
| Number of spills by FortisBC | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Number of spills by contractors | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Waste | |||
| Amount of hazardous waste disposed of in accordance with regulatory requirements9 (figures in tonnes) | 170 | 270 | 217 |
| Penalties | |||
| Number of environmental fines and penalties | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1 This summary table reports on sustainability data for FortisBC Energy Inc. (FEI) and FortisBC Inc. (FBC) as of December 31, 2019.
2 Scope 1 emissions, as defined under the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, are direct emissions
from owned or controlled sources. For 2019, this includes externally verified scope 1 GHG emissions as reported to the BC Ministry of Environment of 138,000 tCO2e and 7,500 tCO2e for FortisBC Energy Inc. and LNG operations, respectively.
3 Scope 2 emissions, as defined under the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, are indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity for own use. Not included is externally verified scope 3 GHG emissions for FBC as reported to
the BC Ministry of Environment in 2019 of approximately 56,000 tCO2e.
4 Value differs from the compliance credits as determined by the Renewable and Low Carbon Fuel Requirements Regulation due to designated allowable
limits as determined by the BC Government for the purposes of reporting under that regulation.
5 Renewable Natural Gas is produced in a different manner than conventional natural gas. It is derived from biogas, which is produced
from decomposing organic waste from landfills, agricultural waste and wastewater from treatment facilities. The biogas is captured and cleaned to create carbon neutral Renewable Natural Gas (also called biomethane).
6 The CAC
value includes nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulphur oxides (SOx) but excludes particulate matter. The formation of particulate matter is related to the concentration of NOx and SOx in the exhaust. Given the decrease in NOx and SOx emissions for the use
of natural gas versus diesel, a decrease in particulate matter is expected.
7 The lifetime energy saved is based on the net present value (NPV) estimates on energy savings from gas and electric programs that commenced in the
reporting year as published in FortisBC’s conservation and energy management filings to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) as well as lifecycle GHG emission factor for gas using models adopted by the BC Government.
8 A Class 3 spill is defined as an event that results in significant damage that includes large spills in waterways, spills that significantly exceed externally reportable thresholds, a regulatory non-compliance investigation by regulator and/or a fire
that may cause damage more than $100,000.
9 Hazardous waste as reported on the movement document/manifest form that is required for the movement of all hazardous waste by the BC Ministry of Environment Hazardous Waste Regulation.