CLEAN AIR IN B.C.

VICTORIA – Today is Clean Air Day, celebrated on the first Wednesday in June of every year throughout Canada. Clean Air Day started out as a B.C. event in 1992 and has since become a national day. The B.C. government is committed to concrete actions to ensure British Columbians continue to enjoy the cleanest air possible.

· The B.C. government is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent from 2007 levels by 2020 and 50 per cent by 2050. The Province entrenched these targets in law.

· In June 2008, the B.C. government launched the Air Action Plan, which sets out 28 actions to reduce air pollution by promoting clean transportation, clean industry, and clean communities. These actions include:

o Promoting a provincewide anti-idling campaign.

o Encouraging companies to use the cleanest available technologies.

o Supporting people in replacing old wood stoves with cleaner alternatives.

o Greening vehicle fleets across the province through Green Fleets BC and enhancing programs such as Scrap-It and Air Care on Road.

Since 2004, the B.C. government has invested more than $45 million in cycling infrastructure in 50 local communities. This investment has translated into 200 kilometres of new bicycle lanes and trails throughout the province, greater than the distance between Vancouver and Hope.

The B.C. government continues to invest in cycling through BikeBC, its $31-million, three-year cycling infrastructure program.

· Since 2007, the B.C. government has funded 122 LocalMotion projects across British Columbia. This $40-million program is helping local governments to build pedestrian and cycling infrastructure that promote healthier, greener and more accessible communities, while creating jobs and stimulating the economy.

· The Province's $14-billion public transit plan will reduce provincial transportation greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 4.7 million tonnes cumulatively by 2020 – equivalent to parking all cars and light trucks in Metro Vancouver for one year. The transit plan includes:

o $10.3-billion investment in four new rapid transit lines in Metro Vancouver – the Evergreen Line, the UBC Line, the upgraded Expo Line and the Canada Line.

o $1.2 billion for a new, high capacity RapidBus BC service along nine major routes in the high-growth urban centres of Kelowna, Victoria and Metro Vancouver.

o $1.6 billion for 1,500 new, clean-energy buses and related maintenance infrastructure to provide communities around the province with improved bus service.

As a result of investing $15 million in the Scrap-It program, citizens across the province are now eligible to receive up to $2,250 towards transit passes or the purchase of a new low-emission vehicle when they turn in their 1995 or older car.

The $62-million LiveSmart BC program is a key element of B.C.’s Climate Action Plan; it provides incentives to help British Columbians fight climate change, including a wide range of rebates, tax exemptions and other incentives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money. LiveSmart BC incentives include:

o Tax rebate of up to $2,000 for fuel-efficient and hydro-electric automobiles.

o Sales tax exemption for biodiesel fuel.

o Sales tax exemption for kits to convert vehicles to operate on natural gas or propane.

o PST exemption for non-motorized two-wheel bicycles.

o Tax incentives and rebates for energy-efficient doors, windows, insulation, as well as energy-efficient appliances, heating and lighting options.

· To date, 174 B.C. communities have signed onto the BC Climate Action Charter, committing to the goal of becoming carbon neutral in their corporate operations by 2012. This spring, these communities shared in $1 million in funding through the Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program, an amount equal to 100 per cent of the carbon tax they have directly paid for fossil fuel purchases since the tax took effect in July 2008.

· By 2012, the provincial government will be supporting all communities to have anti-idling policies in place.

-30-


Media contact:	Matt Gordon Communications Director Ministry of Environment 250 387-9973 250 896-4923 (cell)

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.