Hydrogen British Columbia Welcomes the Introduction of the Hydrogen Facility Regulation

VANCOUVER, BC – Hydrogen British Columbia (H2BC), the provincial affiliate of the Canadian Hydrogen Association (CHA) in British Columbia, welcomes the introduction of the Hydrogen Facility Regulation by the British Columbia Energy Regulator (BCER).

The BCER has been working with the hydrogen sector as well as First Nations and communities to build a shared understanding of how the BCER can support the implementation of the BC Hydrogen Strategy, including the development of a regulatory framework for hydrogen manufacturing to ensure safety and standardization in the development of a robust and responsible hydrogen sector in the province.  

These joint efforts have yielded a new Hydrogen Facility Regulation that:

• Establishes different classes of Hydrogen Facility based on their annual production capacity and the amount of hydrogen stored on the site.
• Sets out detailed requirements for the different classes of facility including:
  • Permit applications
  • Public notifications
  • Operational requirements, and
  • Safety and emergency responses.

Smaller facilities with minimal public safety and environmental impact will see a streamlined application process based on well-established hydrogen industry standards. Like other major BCER-regulated projects, larger, more complex endeavors will follow a similar process, encompassing technical, environmental, safety, and community engagement.

H2BC commends this strategy, enabling numerous innovative hydrogen sector businesses to expand while maintaining an appropriate level of regulatory oversight.

“The incorporation of hydrogen into the BCER mandate and the subsequent development of regulation for hydrogen facilities is an important element to help bring about regulatory clarity and transparency to all stakeholders as well as help promote greater certainty in investment decision-making for the burgeoning hydrogen sector in British Columbia.” said Todd Romaine, Executive Director of H2BC.

“Hydrogen BC is encouraged by the joint efforts of the BCER, the hydrogen sector, First Nations, and communities to establish a shared understanding of how the BCER can support the implementation of the BC Hydrogen Strategy. This collaboration is advancing the development of a regulatory framework for hydrogen manufacturing, ensuring safety and standardization in building a strong and responsible hydrogen sector in the province.” said Bob Blattler, Chair of H2BC.

The requirements set out in the Hydrogen Facility Regulation take effect April 1, 2025.

About the Canadian Hydrogen Association (CHA)

The Canadian Hydrogen Association (CHA) is a national, non-profit association that represents industry, academia, end-users and other stakeholders in Canada’s hydrogen sector. As the Voice of the Sector, the CHA’s mission is to strengthen Canadian leadership, raise awareness of the benefits of clean hydrogen and hydrogen technologies, and accelerate the adoption of its members’ products and services to help create a prosperous low-carbon world. The CHA supports nearly 200 members across Canada and provincial affiliates in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario. You can also follow CHA on LinkedIn, X (@PoweringNow) or visit www.canadah2.ca to learn more information.

About Hydrogen British Columbia (H2BC)

“Hydrogen British Columbia (H2BC) is the regional affiliate of the CHA in B.C., playing a pivotal role in advocating for the province’s’s diverse hydrogen economy. Its vision is to advance hydrogen adoption within B.C. and its mission is to represent member interests and be a leading voice promoting their hydrogen solutions.. H2BC supports 80 plus members across the province ranging from industry, academia, research institutions, government and end users. You can also follow H2BC on LinkedIn, or visit canadah2.ca/hydrogen-british-columbia/to learn more information.”