JOIN B.C.'S CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES TRADE MISSION TO CHINA AND KOREA

The BCEIA, in partnership with the Provincial Government, the British Columbia Technology Industry Association (BCTIA) and the 2010 Commerce Centre, is co-sponsoring a Clean Technologies Trade Mission to China and Korea, May 17th-27th.

The purpose of the mission is to strengthen business relationships in the CleanTech and GreenTech sectors of the environment industry on both sides of the Pacific.

Federal and Provincial Ministers will join with Premier Gordon Campbell and select B.C. company delegates on a two-city tour through Seoul and Beijing for a series of meetings, site visits, networking sessions and country briefings with their government and industry counterparts. The Beijing stop is especially exciting, as Trade Mission participants will take part in the opening ceremonies of the BC-Canada Pavilion.

The BCEIA is looking to recruit approximately 9 companies that operate in British Columbia’s CleanTech and GreenTech sectors i.e. B.C. companies that are export-ready and committed to making sales of clean energy, energy efficiency and water and remediation technologies such as renewable energy, clean coal, distributed generation, recycling and green design.

Timing is crucial on this one as this is an international event and Visas are needed for travel to China (assistance is provided).

The British Columbia Environment Industry Association made its presence felt at this year’s GLOBE Tradeshow and Exhibition. Eight BCEIA Members took positions on the tradeshow floor to promote their products and services while the BCEIA booth scored a prime location to promote both the Association and its Membership to the throngs of international visitors.

The BCEIA also marked the occasion by hosting a luncheon reception for visiting Environment Associations and Guests from across Canada.  The luncheon was graciously sponsored by the following Member companies:

March 17, 2008 - British Columbia becomes the first province to sign on to a new Federal Gas Tax Agreement wherein a GTF (Gas Tax Fund) will be set up for 2010-2014.

The goal of the GTF is to further support government infrastructure projects within the province in regards to environmental susainability; namely reduced GHG emissions, cleaner air and cleaner water. The GTF Agreement constitutes the largest federal investment of its kind for local BC municipal governments where Infrastructure Canada is concerned. B.C.’s newest municipalities: Westside, Barriere and Clearwater were the first beneficiaries.

"The extension of the Gas Tax Fund provides B.C. local governments with substantial, long term funding for building sustainable communities," said President Gimse. "This is a significant step towards making the Gas Tax Fund permanent in B.C. and affirms the importance of Canada’s expanding role in funding local government infrastructure."

A proposal by Northwest Cascade Power Limited to adjust the boundaries of Pinecone Burke Provincial Park has been rejected this past week by BC Environment Minister, Barry Penner.

The decision was made in accordance with the Provincial Park Boundary Adjustment Policy, a relatively new legislative policy with strict environmental criteria and rules which stipulate that park borders in British Columbia may only be adjusted when deemed a necessity.

A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are still available for RemTech 2008.  Opportunities include bronze, parking, artworks reception and silent auction.

The Regional District of Fraser Fort-George is launching a review of its Solid Waste Management Plan – the plan that determines how we will recycle, compost and dispose of our garbage for the next 10-20 years. The existing plan was completed in 1997, and focused on regionalizing the district’s landfills and reducing the amount of waste disposed by 50%.

In the last ten years, the RDFFG has closed 19 landfills and replaced them with transfer stations. The majority of the waste is now disposed at the Foothills Boulevard Regional Landfill, with a small portion still being taken to four remaining smaller landfills. Recycling levels have increased to roughly 28%.

The Pacific Energy Innovation Association (PEIA), as part of its "Climate Change on the Radar Screen" - Breakfast Series, will host a discussion titled, "A Carbon Trading Registry in Vancouver" on April 2, 2008. John D. Wiebe, President and CEO of the GLOBE Foundation, is special guest of the PEIA and scheduled to be Discussion Leader. On March 10, 2008, Mr. Wiebe announced that GLOBE would be working to establish a world-wide Carbon Credit Registry in Vancouver - a registry greater in scope than what currently exists re: the measurement, certification and listing of carbon credits. Cost: $15.00 Location: BC Hydro, 2nd Floor Auditorium, 07:15~08:45. For more information on the PEIA, please visit www.peia.biz

The Canadian Association on Water Quality, will host the 9th Western Canadian Symposium on Water Quality Research as an adjunct to the British Columbia Water and Waste Association’s (BCWWA), 36th Annual Conference and Trade Show at the TELUS Conference Centre, Whistler, B.C. from April 26-30, 2008. Involvement of researchers in academia, industry, government and students is encouraged.  Please visit www.cawq.ca for further details.

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