CERG works with KIU, Yekooche First Nation Development Corporation

NEWS

According to UN estimates, there are 1.2 billion people without regular access to electricity grids. A Government of Canada (NRCAN, 2011) reports 251 remote communities that primarily rely on diesel, of which there are some 80 in British Columbia. Many of these communities are Indigenous. Diesel is expensive and has negative impacts on the environment and health.

You can find previous CERG talks on our Youtube Channel

2023-5 Reports and News Stories

Coverage of CERG event on Agri-voltaics, Oliver-Osoyoos news, https://www.castanet.net/news/Oliver-Osoyoos/578913/Town-hall-by-SFU-non-profit-to-discuss-use-of-solar-in-the-wine-industry-in-Oliver
Interview with Shannon Waters of The Narwhal, on the proposed North Coast Transmission Line
Interview with Lilian Lang of Fairchild TV, on the prospects of new oil and gas pipelines, 10/14/25
Op-ed: Energy market trends should alarm Canadians about investments in the oil and gas sector, Vancouver Sun, Oct. 2, https://vancouversun.com/opinion/op-ed/opinion-a-losing-bet-for-public-investment?itm_source=opinion,
Interview with Scott Shantz, CKNW, on Alberta’s proposed new oil pipeline to northern BC, Oct. 2, 25, https://open.spotify.com/episode/4jEaK1rKxv5U1J8co5jM9Y
Interview with Magnus Thyvold, CJSF, Sept. 17, on renewable energy economics
Interview with Mitchell Beer, Editor, Sept. 16 The Energy Mix, https://www.theenergymix.com/any-new-oil-pipeline-will-need-massive-taxpayer-subsidies-analyst-warns/
Quotes on the Canadian Govt.’s plans to invest in new LNG facilities
BC Today, political e-mail news daily, Sept. 12, Hira quoted on lack of business case for LNG
Energetic City, Jacob Gendron, Sept. 11, LNG Canada phase two added to federal priority project list, https://energeticcity.ca/2025/09/11/lng-canada-phase-two-added-to-federal-priority-project-list/
CNFR FM, LNG Canada Expansion: A Costly Investment for Canadians, CNFR FM website, Sabrina Spencer, Sept. 11, https://www.cfnrfm.ca/2025/09/11/lng-canada-expansion-a-costly-investment-for-canadians/
Vancouver Sun, B.C. LNG, copper mine projects crack first pass of federal 'nation-building' list, Derrick Penner, Sept. 11, https://vancouversun.com/news/bc-lng-copper-mine-projects-crack-first-pass-of-federal-nation-building-list
Business in Vancouver, B.C. tapped for two of five 'nation-building' projects, Stefan Labbé, https://www.biv.com/news/economy-law-politics/bc-tapped-for-two-of-five-nation-building-projects-11199104
Quotes on the Canadian Scorecard
Interview with Keith Wiley, Radio Coop Kootenays, Sept. 15, https://wp.me/p8SLeU-11A, starts at 37 minutes
Fossil Fuels Scorecard mentioned in BC Today, political daily e-mail list read by political and business leaders, Sep. 3, 25.
Op-ed Fossil Fuels are an economic drag, op-ed for National Observer, Sept. 11, https://www.nationalobserver.com/2025/09/11/opinion/fossil-fuels-economic-drag-social-costs-climate
Quoted in The Globe and Mail, Sept. 2, “London-based Crown LNG pitches export project for Newfoundland and Labrador,” https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-london-based-crown-lng-pitches-export-project-for-newfoundland-and/?intcmp=gift_share
The Canadian Scorecard on Fossil Fuels- with Cormac McSweeney, City News, Ottawa, Sept. 2
Discussion of whether it’s too late for Canada to respond to climate change (Suzuki’s comments), July 10, with Jason D’Souza and later with Gloria Macarenko of CBC, discussion with David Quigg of Sierra Club BC
The Conversation, Canada’s proposed east-west energy corridors should prioritize clean energy, with Andrew S. Wright and Sheldon Fernandes, July 13, 2025, https://theconversation.com/canadas-proposed-east-west-energy-corridors-should-prioritize-clean-energy-259530 (over 20,000 views)
The Hill Times, op-ed, Carney is walking a political tightrope on our energy future, July 10, 2025, https://www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/07/10/carney-is-walking-a-political-tightrope-on-our-energy-future/466791/
The Dialogue: Energy Advisor, July 11, 2025, Will LNG Canada Transform Global Fuels Markets? Found at: https://thedialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/LEA250711.pdf

June 2025- Andy Hira did the following interviews:
The Dialogue: Latin American Advisor, June 26, 2025, Would Accelerated Projects Spur Canada’s Economy? Found at: https://www.thedialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/LAA250626.pdf
Vancouver Sun, Alec Lazenby, Jun 24, 25, Premier Eby wants TMX at full capacity before discussion of another pipeline. Experts say it's close, https://vancouversun.com/news/bc-premier-eby-wants-tmx-full-capacity-before-discussion-another-pipeline-experts-say-its-close
The Hill Times, Jeese Cnockaert on the contradictory policy of new Energy Min. Hodgson, to support fossil fuels and renewable energy at the same time, https://www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/06/02/energy-minister-hodgson-has-background-moving-big-projects-but-some-sector-experts-question-plans-to-build-up-conventional-energy-alongside-renewables/462226/
CBC x-country check up, with Ian Hanomansing, on the potential for an East-West grid, https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-13-cross-country-checkup/clip/16149748-with-wildfires-trade-war-us-canada-need-another, about 40 mins. into the programme
The Hill Times, Energy Minister Hodgson has experience with moving big projects, but some sector experts question plans to build up conventional energy alongside renewables, Jesse Cnokcaert, June 2, https:// www.hilltimes.com/ story/2025/06/02/energy-minister-hodgson-has-background-moving-big-projects-but-some- sector-experts-question-plans-to-build-up-conventional-energy-alongside-renewables/462226/
May 2025- Omri Haiven recorded a podcast on how solar panels can increase food production in BC. He also presented his research and experience in Agrivoltaics to the CERG.
May 2025- Jae Mather spoke to CKNW about why new legislation in BC to speed up renewable energy projects is insufficient
May 2025- Andy Hira discussed the future role of battery technology, with reference to Ontario projects, to the Financial Post
Apr. 2025- Andy Hira discussed Canadian Energy Policy Challenges in light of Trump's Tariffs on BC Today
Apr. 2025- Niels Vistrup presented District Energy Utilities: State of the Art, to CERG.
Mar. 2025- Andy Hira discussed the problematic nature of LNG and FF pipelines with the CBC's Stephen Quinn
Mar. 2025- Andy Hira and Hossein Hagh Parast presented Reducing Maritime Emissions to CERG.
Mar. 2025- Andy Hira participated in Genome BC's Ideas Lab around ways to preserve biodiversity in the province.
Mar. 2025- Andy Hira received leadership training from the Climate Reality Project.
Feb. 2025- Andy Hira presented the lessons from the Clean Energy Research Group and obstacles to climate progress in Canada to the Atlantic Canada Climate Network
Feb. 2025- Leticia Yeboah presented her evaluation of the Lady Volta Green Tech Academy's ability to improve gender equity by training marginalised women in solar panel development and maintenance in Ghana
Jan. 2025- Andy Hira and John Clague talked about how Canada can continue to move forward to address climate change despite US backsliding under Trump, to The Conversation
Dec. 2024- Andy Hira, Curie Park and Stephen Evans (Cambridge), Henrique Pacini (UNCTAD) and Padmakshi Rana (Kathmandu FabLab), published Dirty, difficult and dangerous: Establishing a plastic waste upcycling system in Nepal in Cleaner Waste Systems.
Nov. 2024- CERG members Andy Hira and Prasanna Krishnan published a new article on solar strategy, called "The Macro View of Solar Policy: The Case for Supporting Utility-Scale Power" in Solar Compass. It was also featured in Solar Daily and the Terrace Standard. The authors presented their research to CERG on Oct. 11, 2024.
Nov. 27, 2024- Andy Hira presented his theory of populism, including the rise of Trump, from his book, The Great Disruption. You can find a youtube recording of the talk by clicking on this link.
Nov. 20-21, 2024- Andy Hira conducted interviews with CBC French journalist Anais Elboujdaini, on BC's provincial elections and policies towards climate change and with Camille Vernet of Radio Canada on the opening of Site C.
Nov. 15, 2024- CERG presented Dr. Sajjan Pokhrel, UBC, who discussed his research comparing the benefits of geothermal vs. waste water vs. natural gas sources of heating.
Oct. 30, 2024- Andy Hira presented CERG research on nuclear power to the Surrey-based professional group, Climate Conversations
Oct. 29, 2024- Andy Hira presented a synopsis of his ESG book, Smoke and Mirrors, to the Association of Pacific Rim Universities.
Oct. 8, 2024- Andy Hira conducted an interview with Stephen Quinn of CBC Radio on the LNG industry in BC.
Sept. 27, 2024- CERG presented Dr. Julie MacArthur of Royal Roads U., who discussed her research on energy cooperatives in Canada.
Sept. 18, 2024- Andy Hira conducted an interview on Site C with Michelle Elliot of BC Today CBC Radio and TV.
Sept. 6, 2024- Andy Hira presented his forthcoming paper with Hossein Hagh Parast on reducing maritime emisisons ot the National Sustainability Society meeting in Seattle.
May 29, 2024- Andy Hira wrote an op-ed for The Hill Times explaining the political forces behind Canada's failure to meet its climate change goals.
April 19, 2024, CERG held a workshop and public forum, "Solutions for Plastic Waste Around the World," at SFU's downtown campus, featuring speakers from the UK, Nepal, the UN, and BC. Please click the link for the youtube video of the public forum.
April 5, 2024- Andy Hira presented the forthcoming CERG paper on Hydrogen: Energy Storage of the Future or Pie in the Sky? to the International Studies Assn. meeting in San Francisco.
Mar. 2024- Andy Hira and Samuel Thiak published "Strategic options for building a new electricity grid in South Sudan: The challenges of a new post-conflict nation," Energy Research & Social Science, 109, 103417.
Mar. 14, 2024- Andy Hira and Donna Dove of SFU organized the first Careers in Energy and Environment event, featuring speakers from NRCAN, PSC of the Canadian Federal Govt., and Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (BC Government).
Complete CERG WORKING PAPER NO. 13: Lasqueti Island Case Analysis is now available. Visit our HOME PAGE and download a copy.
Jan. 2, 2024, CERG published its 12th working paper, on the future of nuclear power. It examines the issue from an economic and financial perspective, pointing to the uncertainty around the costs of nuclear waste as a major deterrant.
Dec. 10, 2023 CERG members Andy Hira and Ronaldo Au-Yeung published the chapter: Circular Economy Aspirations: Three Strategies in Search of a Direction, which examines the circular economy strategies of the US, the EU and China
Dec. 1, 2023, CERG members Andy Hira and Ronaldo Au-Yeung published the chapter: Global Climate Change Governance: Three models into one? that discusses the different climate change strategies in the US, the EU, and China.
CERG held a forum on the future of nuclear power at SFU's downtown HC campus on Nov. 30, 2023. A lively discussion between the audience and invited experts: Andy Hira, Andrew Wright, Taco Niet, John Richards (SFU), and Allison MacFarlane and M.V. Ramana (UBC) ensued.
Andy Hira participated in a plastic waste upcycling project in Nepal in Oct. 2023. CERG is shifting its agenda to include the circular economy.
CERG hosts monthly talks about climate change and clean energy issues. Contact ahira@sfu.ca for details about upcoming talks. On Nov. 30th, there will be an open to the public in person forum on the future of nuclear power around a soon-to-be released cERG working paper. Then event will be from 1630-1830 in SFU HC 7000 and feature a roundtable with: Hira, and Drs. Taco Niet, Andrew Wright, Robert Anderson and John Richards (all SFU) and Allison Macfarlane and MV Ramana (UBC). On Dec. 1st, from 12:30-2pm, CERG will host a hybrid discussion about lessons in self-sufficiency. The discussion features a forthcoming working paper from CERG about Lasqueti Island systems as well as a presentation by Dr. Helen Heinz (U of Nottingham) about systems in the UK. The event will take place in SFU HC room tbd.
CERG released its 11th working paper, Site C: The Failure of Oversight about governance issues leading to major financial overruns in the large hydro project in BC. See the home page to download a copy.
Kyra Vergara released a new CERG paper, Towards feasible clean energy projects on Indigenous
island communities: On decolonizing clean energy production in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia on June 2, 2023. You can find it on our home page.
Andy Hira's new book, The Smoke and Mirrors Game of Global CSR Reporting, has been released. It includes the problematic aspects of ESG reporting that informs efforts at climate change disinvestment and supporting a green and just transition. Andy gave talks about the book to U. of Victoria and Royal Roads U. in Spring 2024.
Andy Hira gave a talk at UBC on March 27, 2023: Moving from fossil fuels to a green economy: a review of recent research work by the SFU Clean Energy Research Group
Kyra Vergara, SFU Sociology student, gave a talk on Indigenous utility regulation on March 24, 2023 to the CERG group. It will be the subject of a forthcoming CERG working paper.
Energi Talks - Episode 130: BC LNG: More evidence there is no business case for expansion (Podcast with Professor Andy Hira)
Brief summary of CERG WORKING PAPER NO. 9: BC'S LNG PLAY: REASONABLE TRANSITION FUEL OR ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER?
Complete CERG WORKING PAPER NO. 9 AVAILABLE ON OUR HOME PAGE.

2022 Reports and News Stories

CERG WORKING PAPER NO. 8: IMPROVING THE PROMOTION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE DEPLOYMENT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA: A COMPARATIVE CASE STUDY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND QUÉBEC IS AVAILABLE - VISIT OUR HOME PAGE.

Special Issue: Reducing Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution in the Global South (September 2022)

Wind should play a bigger role in B.C.’s energy mix, experts say (August 5, 2022)

Cities, Right Wing Solutions & Community Energy (812) (April 29, 2022)

CERG Executive Director Andrew Wright presents new exhibit on preventing extinctions in small islands at Vancouver's Science World, running through April.

CERG laments the passing of former founding member, Anitra Paris. A passionate and intelligent advocate for clean energy, Anitra was at a young age already an important contributor to climate change policy in BC....She will be sorely missed by her friends and colleagues.