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Investing.com -- British Columbia proposed legislation to limit electricity available to artificial intelligence data centers and permanently ban new cryptocurrency mining projects.
The Canadian province’s government will prioritize grid connections for mines and natural gas facilities because they provide more jobs and revenue, the energy ministry said Monday.
The energy statutes amendment act, tabled in the legislature on Monday, aims to expedite construction of the North Coast Transmission Line (NCTL) in partnership with First Nations and ensure electricity availability for sectors producing jobs and public revenues.
British Columbia will implement regulatory and policy changes this fall that will accelerate development of the NCTL, address growing electricity demand from emerging sectors by setting limits on power for data centers and AI, and permanently ban new BC Hydro connections for cryptocurrency mining.
The NCTL project, which involves twinning the existing line from Prince George to Terrace and out to Bob Quinn Lake, is expected to create approximately 9,700 direct full-time jobs once operational. It would contribute nearly $10 billion annually to GDP and generate approximately $950 million in yearly public revenues for provincial and municipal governments.
Construction of the NCTL is expected to start in summer 2026, with phased completion targeted for 2032-34.
"B.C. will be the economic engine that drives a more independent Canadian economy – powered by clean energy, built through partnership with First Nations and driven by the hard work of British Columbians," said Premier David Eby.
Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, added: "Our new allocation framework will prioritize vital growth in sectors like mining, natural gas and lowest-emission LNG, while ensuring our clean energy is directed to projects that deliver the greatest benefit to British Columbians."
Regulations related to electricity allocation for industrial projects will be implemented in November 2025, and BC Hydro will launch a competitive process for data centers and AI to access electricity in January 2026.
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