Fewer greenhouse gases are emitted while producing electricity than other energy sources (except for natural gas), and BC Hydro should therefore encourage people to use electricity for heating.
That was the gist of a resolution from Thompson-Nicola Regional District that the Southern Interior Local Government Association is being asked to endorse, TNRD director Tim Pennell told Clearwater council during its Mar. 5 meeting.
If endorsed, the resolution would be taken to the Union of BC Municipalities convention next fall.
It asks that the provincial government work with BC Hydro and the BC Utilities Commission to implement the lower residential stepped rate in areas of the province where natural gas is not available.
It is felt this would encourage the residents of those areas to use electricity only for heating and thereby reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Pennell is presently SILGA’s second vice-president.
He encouraged other local politicians to get involved in the organization.
The association represents the Thompson-Nicola, Squamish-Lillooet,Central Okanagan, North Okanagan, Okanagan-Similkameen and Columbia-Shuswap regional districts, he said.
Its purpose is to speak for the local governments in the Southern Interior.
Other issues that SILGA has been involved with include delays in members of the coroners’ service in attending accident scenes in rural areas and regulations on meat slaughtering that are squeezing out smaller operations,
SILGA will holds its convention in Salmon Arm during the first week of May.