BC Gov News

Three First Nations will receive almost $70,000 to develop clean energy projects that will benefit their communities.

This funding is made possible through B.C.'s First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund, which promotes increased First Nations’ participation in the clean energy sector.

• The Taku River Tlingit First Nation, near Atlin, will receive $40,000. The funding will be used to help determine the best options for generating additional run-of-river hydro-electric power to be delivered through the development of a new transmission line.
• Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations, near Tofino, will receive $10,000 to collect data related to power availability, environmental impacts and project design for run-of-river hydro facilities.
• The Lax Kw’alaams Band, near Prince Rupert, will receive $19,972 to study two potential run-of-river hydro-power sites.

Run-of-river projects use the natural elevation and water flow of a stream or creek into a turbine to create power. They have limited impact on vegetation, bird or wildlife habitat due to their small footprint.

Since 2011, more than 80 Aboriginal communities have benefited from $5.1 million in capacity and equity funding. The First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund supports wind energy, biomass, run-of-river hydroelectric power and clean energy planning.

As well as providing equity and capacity support, 19 First Nations also receive ongoing revenue sharing of water rentals and land rents charged to power developers.

The First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund (FNCEBF) is designed to increase First Nations participation in the clean energy sector. The fund helps create jobs and new economic opportunities for First Nations throughout the province by providing revenue sharing for new clean energy projects, and funding for equity and capacity-building projects, including those announced today.

Quotes:

John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation -

“First Nations make significant contributions to B.C.’s clean energy supply. Funding agreements made possible through the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund recognize the importance of those contributions and support further social and economic development in First Nations communities throughout British Columbia.”

Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines -

“First Nations and their partners continue to support the clean energy sector in their traditional territories. These agreements provide jobs, and show what can be accomplished through collaboration. By demonstrating leadership in the growing clean energy sector, First Nations are bringing economic benefits to their communities.”

Paul Kariya, executive director, Clean Energy BC -

“B.C.’s clean energy agreements with First Nations really add up to win-win-win-win: Good for the First Nations, good for B.C., good for clean energy development and, because of all these ‘goods’, good for British Columbians and their environment.”

Quick Facts: 

The First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund allows First Nations with revenue-sharing agreements to receive a portion of water and land rents charged by the Province for new clean energy projects.

The fund also provides equity funding of up to $500,000 and capacity development funding of up to $50,000 to support First Nations with feasibility studies or engagement with private-sector proponents of clean-energy projects.

The Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation ‘s Haa-ak-suuk Creek project near Tofino is a good example of the positive benefits the fund can provide.

• In 2012, the First Nation received $500,000 in equity funding to finance its run-of-river power project. Today, this project provides enough hydroelectricity to power some 3,000 homes.
• In 2013, the First Nation signed a provincial revenue-sharing agreement. As a result, the community is forecast to receive approximately $38,000 annually over the life of the project.
• This is in addition to monies it now receives from the sale of electricity from the Haa-ak-suuk Creek facility to BC Hydro.

British Columbia is the first province to share revenue from mining, forestry and other resources with First Nations.

The clean energy technology industry is one of the fastest growing industries in B.C., with more than 200 organizations, 68% of which were formed in the past decade.

Learn More:

For more information about the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund visit: www.gov.bc.ca/arr/economic/fncebf.html

For more information about Clean Energy BC visit: www.cleanenergybc.org/

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Lisa Leslie
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 213-7724

BACKGROUNDER

Clean energy revenue sharing with First Nations

As of August 2014, the B.C. government has clean energy revenue sharing agreements for run-of-river projects with 19 First Nations:

Northern BC

• Taku River Tlingit First Nation (near Atlin): Pine Creek (Atlin) hydro project
• Nisga’a Nation (New Aiyansh): Cascade River (Long Lake) hydro project
• Tahltan Nation (near Dease Lake): Forrest Kerr hydro project; McLymont Creek hydro project; Volcano Creek hydro project

Vancouver Island

• Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation (near Tofino): Haa-ak-suuk Creek hydro project
• Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation (near Gold River): Cypress Creek hydro project
• Khaloose First Nation (near Powell River): Jimmie Creek hydro project
• Tlowitsis Nation (near Campbell River): Kokish River hydro project
• Namgis First Nation (near Alert Bay): Kokish River hydro project

Interior

• Kanaka Bar Indian Band (near Lytton): Kwoiek Creek hydro project
• Shackan Indian Band (near Merritt): Kwoiek Creek hydro project
• Skuppah Indian Band (near Lytton): Kwoiek Creek hydro project
• Boston Bar First Nation (near Anderson Creek): Kwoiek Creek hydro project
• Bridge River Indian Band (near Lillooet): Jamie Creek hydro project
• N’Quatqua First Nation (near Anderson Lake): Jamie Creek hydro project
• T’it’q’et Nation (near Lillooet): Jamie Creek hydro project
• Splatsin First Nation (near Enderby): Cranberry Creek hydro project

Lower Mainland - Coast

• Squamish Nation (near Squamish): Box Canyon hydro project; Skookum Creek hydro project; Culliton Creek hydro project
• Tsleil-Waututh Nation (near Squamish): Skookum Creek hydro project; Culliton Creek hydro project
• Lil’wat First Nations (near Pemberton): Upper Lillooet hydro project;  Pemberton Valley hydro project

Media Contacts:

Lisa Leslie
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 213-7724