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Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1498118
14 INVEST in BC 2 0 2 3 Official Publication of the BC Economic Development Association. In special partnership with BCBusiness. THE CLEAN ENERGY ADVANTAGE TOP: COPPER MOUNTAIN MINES; LEFT: HYDRA ENERGY With its abundance of renewable energy, B.C. makes it easy for companies to meet their emissions-reduction targets L ast year, at its open-pit mine outside Princeton, Copper Mountain Mining began replacing its fleet of diesel haul trucks with hybrid vehicles that carry their heaviest loads along a kilometre- long ramp equipped with electric trolley lines. The move proved timely: not only will it cut the mine's carbon dioxide emissions by 30%—moving Copper Mountain towards its goal of net-zero emissions by 2035—it shielded the company from the jump in diesel prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The availability of funding and incentives from both BC Hydro and the provincial government's CleanBC program made the firm's decision that much easier. A growing number of companies are looking at electrifying existing operations or moving operations to B.C. to take advantage of its almost emissions-free electrical supply. With BC Hydro's help, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Canada's largest port, is studying the feasibility of electrifying all its operations. Even natural gas producers in B.C.'s northeast are converting their pumps and processing systems to clean electricity to lower emissions and fulfil their climate commitments. HYDROGEN HIGHWAY: Hydra Energy is building the world's largest hydrogen fuel station in Prince George, part of a network of stations to supply emissions-free green hydrogen for hybrid heavy-duty trucks C L I M AT E C H A N G E