PRESS RELEASE: B.C. CELEBRATES CLEAN AIR DAY, LAUNCHES AIR ACTION PLAN

VANCOUVER – The government of British Columbia is celebrating Clean Air Day with the release of the BC Air Action Plan, which allocates $28.5 million over three years to improve and enhance air quality across the province and protect the health of British Columbians, Environment Minister Barry Penner announced today.

“In British Columbia, we are fortunate to have some of the best air quality in the world and have seen measurable improvements in recent years,” said Penner. “But as our economy continues to grow, keeping our air clean will be a challenge, and it will be up to us to ensure that our province continues to enjoy the healthiest air quality possible.”

The BC Air Action Plan outlines a total of 28 initiatives that will reduce air pollution and improve air quality across British Columbia. The plan is designed to address air pollution from all sources – from transportation and industry to everyday activities, such as woodstove operation and vehicle idling. Some of the 28 actions identified in the plan have already been initiated, with all actions expected to be in place by 2009.

“Protecting the air we breathe must be a priority for all British Columbians,” said Scott McDonald, BC Lung Association executive director. “The BC Air Action Plan will give individuals, businesses and all levels of government many opportunities to play meaningful roles in ensuring a clean air future for our province.”

“The Fraser Basin Council is pleased to support these clean air initiatives and to celebrate the ways that B.C. demonstrates practical innovation,” said David Marshall, Fraser Basin Council executive director. “A good example is fleets. Working with Ministry of Environment and the transport sector, we are well on the way to helping over 200 B.C. fleets of all sizes ‘green up’ – and that means a projected 25 per cent reduction in harmful emissions from 8,000 transport vehicles by 2010. The expected ripple effect across B.C. fleets is even greater – a reduction of 900 tonnes a year of smog-forming pollutants and 200,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases.”

Since air pollutants share a number of common sources with greenhouse gases, several measures identified in the BC Air Action Plan will both help improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gases. An example of this is the recently expanded Scrap-It program, which has been launched in the Lower Mainland as of today. The program provides up to $2,000 for people who retire a pre-1993 vehicle and will be available across the province in the near future.

The BC Air Action Plan supports the work of industries and communities who are already taking action to address air pollution. It encourages progress and innovation, and provides incentives for British Columbians to make cleaner, greener choices. The plan also complements the 2007 BC Energy Plan, which will ensure that at least 90 per cent of the electricity generated in the province continues to come from clean or renewable sources.

As part of the BC Air Action Plan, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA) is receiving $180,000 in provincial funds towards the development and implementation of new technologies, processes and practices that will reduce emissions from marine vessels and port activities.

The Green Ports and Marine Vessels Emissions Reduction Project will further the development of the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy. Bringing together the combined efforts of the VFPA and the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma, this strategy will identify emission reduction goals for all different aspects of port operations and help to reduce the environmental footprint of ports.

For more details on the B.C. government’s initiatives to improve and protect air quality, visit www.env.gov.bc.ca/pac/airquality.htm. An electronic version and downloadable PDF of the BC Air Action Plan are also available at: www.bcairsmart.ca

Media contact:
Kate Thompson
Media Relations
250 953-4577

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