The BCUC is responsible for regulating hydrogen energy services in BC.

A person who provides certain hydrogen energy services for compensation is a public utility under the Utilities Commission Act and regulated by the BCUC. These hydrogen energy services may include:

  • Hydrogen production for use as a fuel
  • Selling hydrogen as a fuel
  • Distributing hydrogen for use as a fuel

Exemptions

After registering with the BCUC, hydrogen energy service providers who are not existing public utilities, may be exempt from active BCUC regulation for the following services.

  1. Producing hydrogen as a fuel for producing electricity or as a fuel for transportation or heating
    • Exempt from active regulation except for general supervision, providing and improving service, obeying orders, and providing information (see exemption order for production)
    • Must register with the BCUC for exemption

  2. Selling hydrogen for use as a transportation fuel
    • Exempt from active regulation except for general supervision, providing and improving service, obeying orders, and providing information (see exemption order for transportation fuel)
    • Must register with the BCUC for exemption

  3. Distributing hydrogen by truck for use as a fuel

  4. Distributing hydrogen by pipeline for use as a fuel
    • No exemption from regulation
Register here

Uses of Hydrogen

The hydrogen energy industry in BC is in the early stages of development, with a variety of business models and services being developed including:

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Transportation Fuel

Hydrogen can be used as a direct combustion fuel in a hybrid diesel/hydrogen engine, or for electricity generation in a fuel cell vehicle. This is the only hydrogen energy service currently used in BC.

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Home Heating Fuel

Hydrogen can be blended into the natural gas distribution system to heat homes. BC and other provinces are currently testing hydrogen for this use.

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Export

Hydrogen has the potential to be exported to the United States, Europe, and the Indo-Pacific region.

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Energy Storage

Hydrogen may be produced and then stored seasonally to use later, similar to natural gas.

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Industrial Process Fuel

Hydrogen may be used to replace natural gas to generate heat used in industrial processes.

BCUC’s Inquiry into the Regulation of Hydrogen Energy Services

In 2023, the BCUC completed its Inquiry into the Regulation of Hydrogen Energy Services, which determined the BCUC’s role in regulating hydrogen as an energy source. To learn more about the BCUC’s inquiry, please visit the resources below.