DATE ISSUED: March. 4, 2025

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 1, 2025

The British Columbia Energy Regulator (BCER) is responsible for the oversight of hydrogen manufacturing in British Columbia. With this expanded mandate, 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 objectives of the BC Hydrogen Strategy.

These collaborative efforts have resulted in 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 that have minimal potential impacts on public safety and the environment will see a simplified application process focused on well-established standards used widely in the hydrogen industry. Larger, more complex projects will see an approach similar to other major projects regulated by the BCER – this includes technical, environmental, safety, and local engagement requirements. This approach allows many innovative companies working within the hydrogen sector to continue to grow their business while ensuring an appropriate level of regulatory oversight.

The requirements set out in the Hydrogen Facility Regulation take effect April 1, 2025. The deposited Hydrogen Facility Regulation is available on the BCER website. Additional guidance materials will be released to support understanding of the requirements in the regulation.

If you have any questions regarding this Information Update, please contact:

Geoff Turner
Executive Director, Energy Transition and Intergovernmental Relations
BC Energy Regulator
Geoff.Turner@bc-er.ca
250-419-4401