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A B.C. environmental group is taking FortisBC to court over accusations of greenwashing in advertising.
The civil lawsuit, filed Monday in B.C. Supreme Court by lawyers with Ecojustice and Slater Vecchio LLP, alleges FortisBC Energy Inc. has promoted the use of natural gas as more cost-effective and as good or better for the environment than alternatives like electric heat pumps.
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The suit claims neither of these claims is true.
The use of fossil fuels to power buildings is a major contributor to the greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change, while electric heat pumps provide heating and cooling without burning fossil fuels, according to the civil claim filed on behalf of Stand Environmental Society and two individuals — Lori Goldman and Eddie Dearden.
Lawyers allege the company continues to add thousands of new customers a year by falsely advertising gas as a climate-friendly source of home heating. The suit notes a cost analysis posted on the FortisBC website last year comparing the cost of natural gas and electric pumps includes rebates for gas but fails to include the rebates for the pumps.
None of the claims has been proven in court.
FortisBC said in an emailed statement Tuesday that it was aware of the claim but will not comment on the merits of the allegations.
The company said it takes “climate change very seriously and is taking action” to help B.C. meet its climate goals.
“We’ve always worked to protect the environment — whether by helping customers reduce their GHG emissions, progressing initiatives to lower our own operational GHG emissions or implementing new environmental protections,” the statement said.
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