In 2020, we anticipate decisions on several new partnerships with RNG suppliers including one with REN Energy International Corporation (REN Energy). REN Energy plans to extract RNG from wood waste sourced from forestry operations and sawmills – a North American first. This project is expected to produce more than 1 million gigajoules (GJ) of RNG annually, the equivalent of heating more than 11,500 homes a year, and would be the largest source of RNG in the province to date. We’re also expecting a decision from the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) this year regarding our request to purchase RNG from outside BC. If approved, this will be the first time a natural gas utility will purchase RNG beyond the borders of their province and it will demonstrate our commitment to lowering GHG emissions across the country.
Expanding our liquefied natural gas supply
Expanding our capacity to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) domestically and internationally will be key to helping reduce emissions from higher carbon fuels, while also providing economic opportunities for the province.
If approved, the upgrade of our Tilbury LNG facility may include construction of a new LNG storage tank that could triple the site’s storage capacity. This expansion would help make our natural gas supply more secure as well as make more LNG available for marine and international customers to displace higher carbon fuels. We‘ll continue to work in close partnership with the Musqueam Indian Band and the municipality of Delta as we have throughout the project to understand and address their concerns and provide new opportunities for economic development and employment. Construction could start as early as 2022 and be completed by 2028.
In 2020, we’ll continue to advance our plans to upgrade our Tilbury LNG facility in Delta, helping to support the growing demand for LNG locally and globally.
Energy conservation and innovation
We’re always looking for ways to help our customers save energy so we’re testing more cutting edge technologies than ever before. In 2020, the innovative technologies team will launch a pilot to test new high-efficiency natural gas fired heat pumps for residential and small commercial sites. These units have performed at over 100 per cent efficiencies in lab environments and could provide a new level of energy savings and reduce emissions for our customers.
In 2019, as part of our 2020-2024 multi-year rate plan application to the BCUC, we proposed a Clean Growth Innovation Fund. This fund will help accelerate the work underway to reduce GHG emissions as a part of our proactive strategy to support the transition to a cleaner energy future. We're anticipating a decision from the BCUC in mid-2020.
Adding more electric vehicle charging stations
To help increase the convenience of owning and operating an electric vehicle (EV), we will be installing 19 more EV charging stations in 2020. Two of these stations will be built in partnership with the Osoyoos Indian Band where together we will install the first publically available direct current, fast-charging stations on a First Nation reserve in BC.
We will continue to build the necessary energy infrastructure for future EV drivers to encourage the growth of the EV market as we move toward our 30BY30 target.
New online resources for customers
Customers who have an online account with us will see key enhancements when they log on later in 2020. We’re improving our customer portal, Account Online, to make it easier for customers to understand how they use energy in their home and what steps they can take to save both energy and money while reducing GHG emissions. Customers who complete an online home energy assessment will receive customized energy-saving opportunities tailored to the specific characteristics of their home. Energy-saving tips and rebates will be recommended based on this home assessment and customers will earn bill credits for using selected features and reaching their energy-saving goals.
We’re also improving how our customers apply for rebates with the introduction of a new online process later in 2020. Residential customers will be able to submit and track the status of their rebate application, and even receive their rebate quicker. Another new resource coming this year will be a chat function on our website so our customers can ask us questions online. These online resources are ways we’re making it easier for our customers to access information and save energy in their homes.
Strengthening Indigenous relationships
We remain committed to Reconciliation and strengthening our relationship with First Nations communities, using our Statement of Indigenous Principles to guide our words and actions. We began the process of working towards the Progressive Aboriginal Relationships (PAR) certification last year by becoming a Committed member and hope to receive certification in late 2020. As we work toward this, we will introduce new opportunities for Indigenous Peoples through trades and training, procurement for local projects and careers in our organization.
We provide training to our employees so they can learn more about Indigenous histories, cultures and values to develop a deeper understanding of Indigenous interests and goals so we can build respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples.
We will continue to find opportunities to partner with First Nations communities as we strive to develop stronger working relationships, such as our ongoing work with the Upper Nicola Band on a proposed solar project.
Continuing to invest in our employees
In 2020, we will continue to support our employees while finding new ways to attract top talent to our organization. We will be hosting inclusion and diversity training with more than 400 leaders in our company, which will serve as an opportunity to educate, share perspectives and gather information on how we can best engage all employees. This will ensure our work environment continues to evolve and is welcoming of people of diverse backgrounds. We’re also looking at ways we can work with First Nations communities and in 2020 we will be piloting a number of Indigenous employment opportunities through our Inland Gas Upgrades project.
It’s important that we provide online courses for our employees to help them expand their knowledge and skills and facilitate their career development. This year we will be restructuring these courses to take a more integrated and accessible learning approach for all employees. We’re planning to host workshops on inclusion and diversity, Myers Briggs (MBTI), Indigenous awareness and difficult conversations to ensure our employees have access to tools that increase self-awareness and enhance their ability to work effectively and continue to contribute to our organization’s overall success.
Future infrastructure upgrades
To keep energy flowing to our customers across the province, we’re looking ahead to see what infrastructure upgrades will need to start today to meet the energy needs of tomorrow safely and reliably. These upgrades will ensure we are building a resilient system so we can continue to integrate lower carbon energy solutions like renewable gases and clean electricity, helping us meet our 30BY30 target and the province’s climate action goals.
If approved, this project will strengthen our system by adding greater capacity and ensuring we can continue to meet the energy needs of our customers across the Interior, even when demand is at its peak. As with any major infrastructure project, it’s important that we speak with residents and customers to share our plans and do our best to incorporate their feedback. We will undertake extensive consultation with communities throughout the region, including virtual town halls for the public to ask questions and learn more about the project, and engaging with local governments and First Nations communities to ensure we’re working together.
With the Pattullo Bridge scheduled to be decommissioned in 2023, we’re working on an alternative route for the natural gas line that has called the Pattullo Bridge home since 1957. This line is a critical part of our system serving customers in New Westminster, Burnaby and Coquitlam and we’re working closely with all three municipalities to find the best possible solution.
We are also looking to build a more resilient natural gas system for our customers by upgrading to advanced gas meters. Upgrading more than a million meters will be one of our largest projects to date and we’ll be busy speaking with British Columbians about the move to advanced metering throughout 2020.
Advanced gas meter technology will also offer new safety features that will allow us to remotely detect and respond to natural gas leaks, among other safety benefits.
We continue to look for innovative ways to support our customers and these meters will give customers access to daily information about their natural gas use, which can help them save energy in their homes and businesses.
Over the past four years, we’ve been working on upgrades at our Upper Bonnington Dam in the Kootenays. These upgrades include rebuilding 112 year old generating units to modernize our system and will continue in 2020, ensuring we can continue to deliver clean hydroelectric power to our customers in the Southern Interior for years to come. We expect to complete this project later in 2021.