New Efficient Light-bulb Standards Take Effect in B.C.
New standards promoting energy-efficient light bulbs and phasing out of older incandescent bulbs are now in effect.

The Ministry of Energy states that effective Jan. 1 retailers can only continue to carry the old incandescent 75 and 100-watt bulbs until their stock runs out, although other incandescent wattages can continue to remain on store shelves. See the full story as posted by the Vancouver Sun.

Canada's Western Provinces Sign Pact to Harmonize Oil, Gas Laws
Canada's three energy-rich western provinces signed an agreement recently to harmonize regulations affecting the oil and gas industry in an effort to allow labour and investment to flow more freely among them. The governments of Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan signed a memorandum of understanding in which they will try to synchronize regulations for work qualifications, safety and transportation standards and energy development permits. The agreement comes as the growing energy industry in Canada is trying to secure access to a larger skilled work force. It also follows the creation in April of the New West Partnership among the three provinces – an informal alliance in which the three have tried to jointly promote the interests of their resource-based economies. See the full story by Edward Welsch, of Dow Jones Newswires.

B.C. Forest Exports Now Open to India?
Mike de Jong, candidate for the leadership of the BC Liberal Party, announced recently that an important achievement has been reached that will facilitate a significant increase in lumber exports to India.

India's Minister of Agriculture has granted approval for the importation of spruce, pine and fir species (SPF) lumber that has been heat-treated for phytosanitary reasons into the India market. See the full story as posted by Opinion 250.

Critical Habitat for Endangered Species –
What is the Scope of Protection?
A recent decision of the Federal Court found that a Protection Statement and a Protection Order for the Northern and Southern Resident populations of the Killer Whale, issued under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA), are unlawful. The court confirmed that SARA creates stricter protections for the critical habitat of aquatic species than other federal legislation such as the Fisheries Act. This ruling adds to the growing body of law under SARA in which the courts have been critical of the manner in which the government, and in particular the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (the DFO), has been implementing SARA. It also raises the broader thorny issue of how areas with critical habitat can be managed without dramatically impacting economic activity. See the full article as posted by Janice Walton with the Environmental Group of Blakes.

Province Releases Third State of Forests Report
The most intensive and thorough report ever produced on the state of B.C.'s forests suggests sound laws and policies, including public reporting by an independent Forest Practices Board, are supporting sustainable forest management in British Columbia, it was recently announced.

The report provides detailed, yet easy-to-understand information on 91 indicators of forest sustainability and management. The 2010 report is the result of a two-year effort by a team of 30 staff from several natural resource ministries, supported by over 130 contributors and advisors from many organizations. See the news release. In addition, see the full story as posted by LDNews.