Intake for carbon tax relief grants open

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Source: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021AFF0032-000666

Eligible greenhouse operators can now apply for carbon tax relief grants for the 2020 production year.

Commercial producers in B.C. who grow vegetables, ornamental flowers and plants, forest seedlings and nursery plants in greenhouses are eligible to apply for the grant until May 10, 2021, if they:

  • had sales exceeding $20,000 in 2020;
  • used natural gas or propane to heat their greenhouses or produce carbon dioxide; and
  • had a production area greater than 455 square metres.

The grant covers 80% of the carbon tax commercial greenhouse growers of eligible crops paid on the natural gas and propane they used for greenhouse heating and carbon dioxide production in 2020. Cannabis is not an eligible crop at any phase of production, including propagation.

Greenhouse growers supply communities with fresh vegetables for about 10 months of the year on more than 300 hectares of land, growing tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplants, lettuce and other crops. In addition to vegetable growers, B.C.’s floriculture and nursery industries grow more than 80 million greenhouse flowers and cuttings and produce approximately 50 million potted plants a year.

Application information and eligibility criteria are available here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/greenhouse-carbon-tax-relief-grant

NEW – BC: Infrastructure grants provide opportunity to switch to propane

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Source: https://www.naylornetwork.com/fum-nwl/articles

British Columbia is accepting applications from local governments, Indigenous communities and not-for-profit organizations for nearly $136 million in infrastructure grants to help communities develop resilience in response to COVID-19.

This program offers CPA members the opportunity to partner with these three groups to advance switching communities from diesel fuel for heating and power generation to propane. The use of diesel presents a variety of environmental, economic, technical, and health challenges including air and noise pollution, and the risks of fuel spills/leaks.

In partnership with the Government of Canada, the funds are being made available as part of the new COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream (CVRIS), a new stream under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP).

CVRIS will support projects that focus on retrofits, rehabilitation and upgrades to existing local government and Indigenous community buildings, COVID-19 response infrastructure, active transportation, and disaster mitigation.

CVRIS is accepting applications through two ministries:

  • up to $80 million is available for projects administered by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs; and
  • up to $56 million is available for flood mitigation and adaptation projects administered by Emergency Management BC (EMBC).

To meet the accelerated timeline in response to COVID-19, applicants for funding under EMBC have until Jan. 11, 2021, to apply. All other applicants have until Jan. 27, 2021.

The CPA encourages members to work with local governments, Indigenous communities and not-for profit organizations and are encouraged to submit applications through the ICIP on the B.C. government website.

Patio Heater Safety Tips

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Knowing how to use patio heaters and open-flame appliances safely will help everyone enjoy outdoor dining well into the fall and winter season – while avoiding the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and fire.

View the Guide from the Canadian Propane Association