Prince George, BC – The BC New Democrats say cash-strapped schools and hospitals should be the beneficiaries of the current $30-million dollar surplus in the Pacific Carbon Trust, not carbon offset projects put forth by the private sector.

NDP Environment critic, Chandra Herbert, says the public institutes are forced to pay into the Trust and it’s racking up a hefty profit each year.  "The least we should expect is that those contributions will come back to our public institutions to help reduce their carbon footprint and reduce energy costs in the future."

Herbert says the PCT was set up with the aim of making BC’s public sector carbon neutral.  But, she points out, it’s become a profitable enterprise with recently released figures showing the Trust took $18-million dollars from public sector institutions to pay for private sector projects.

"It’s appalling that pipeline companies, cement companies, and major hotel chains are enjoying generous subsidies courtesy of BC’s schools and hospitals."

Herbert was the surplus should be spent on capital upgrades and retrofits at those institutions to help them take steps to reduce their emissions.  She says the Liberal government should work with oil and gas companies and profitable corporations to ensure they pay to reduce their own pollution.