Liberals target natural gas ban

Policy part of Vancouver’s plan to use only renewable energy by 2050

VANCOUVER (CP) — The B.C. Liberals say they will repeal the City of Vancouver’s plans to ban natural gas in some new buildings days ahead of the policy taking effect.

Andrew Wilkinson, candidate for Vancouver-Quilchena, said on Saturday the city’s ban would increase costs to consumers, businesses and residents because it would increase building costs and create a reliance on electricity, which is more expensive.

The city’s new regulations on natural gas, which go into effect Monday, apply to new construction and are part of the city’s larger plan to rely exclusively on renewable energy by 2050.

Wilkinson said if the Liberals form the government after the May 9 election, they’ll change the Vancouver Charter that allows the city to dictate its own building codes in order to repeal the ban.

“It’s essential that Vancouverites be able to keep their costs down. We do not support processes and programs that drive up costs,” he said.

The Liberals say FortisBC calculated that a family of four would spend an additional $1,500 per year if they had to use electricity instead of natural gas for home and water heating.

But city documents said the move would not increase costs for the construction or operation of a building, and should not create additional costs to the occupants.

A statement the city issued in February said natural gas would still be allowed in new buildings under six storeys for use in fireplaces, cooking ranges, furnaces, domestic hot water and laundry dryers.

These changes have been in the works since November 2015, when the city approved its plan to achieve 100 per cent renewable energy use by 2050.

Wilkinson said the Liberals waited until now to take a stance on the issue because changes to the city’s building code go into effect Monday.

“It’s timely to get out the word now so people don’t make decisions and face a flip-flop in the city of Vancouver. We want the status quo to continue,” he said.

Banning natural gas would also negatively impact restaurant owners who rely on the resource for cooking, Wilkinson said, because it is the more effective and affordable option.

The city has yet to respond to the Liberal announcement.