The Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe will explore a partnership with the proponent of the Frosst Creek Hydro project thanks to a $43,854 investment through the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund.

The four-megawatt run-of-river hydroelectric project is being developed by Frosst Creek Hydro Inc., a subsidiary of Zella Hydro, within the traditional territory of the Ts'elxwéyeqw Tribe.

The capacity funding will support the Ts’elxwéyeqw to evaluate the potential for partnership on the project. The funding will enable the Ts’elxwéyeqw to analyze the project’s financial details and investment options.

The Frosst Creek Hydro Project is proposed to be five kilometres southwest of Cultus Lake near the community of Lindell Beach. It would produce an estimated 14,000 megawatt-hours per year of clean, renewable electricity.

The First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund provides funding to First Nations to participate in the clean-energy sector and helps Aboriginal communities reduce their reliance on diesel power generation.

Quotes:

John Martin, MLA for Chilliwack –

“B.C. is committed to working with First Nations as they explore sustainable economic development opportunities, including those in the clean-energy sector. This funding will support future Indigenous participation in a growing part of our economy.”

Chief David Jimmie, President,  Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribal Council –

“Projects like Frosst Creek provide an opportunity for the Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe to explore potential partnerships in the clean-energy business sector. This funding will help us take a detailed look at the project to see if this is an opportunity our communities support.”

Laurie Throness, MLA for Chilliwack-Hope –

“Clean-energy projects across British Columbia are creating opportunities for innovative partnerships with First Nations. This project is an excellent example of how, working together, we can provide economic benefits to communities.”

Quick Facts:

• The Ts’elxwéyeqw communities include the Aitchelitz, Skowkale, Shxwhá:y, Soowahlie, Squiala, Tzeachten and Yakweakwioose First Nations.
• The Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe’s traditional territory covers more than 95,000 hectares in the Chilliwack River Valley.
• Funding into the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund has increased from $4.2 million in 2016, to $7.2 million for 2017, as more clean-energy power projects have reached commercial operations.
• The fund provides equity funding to First Nations: up to $500,000 for clean-energy projects; up to $150,000 in equity funding toward energy-efficiency projects (also known as demand-side management); and capacity funding up to $50,000.
• Capacity funding supports feasibility studies for developing clean-energy projects or engagement with private-sector clean-energy project proponents.
• Since 2011, more than 110 First Nations communities have benefited from approximately $8 million in capacity and equity funding.
• Funding has supported the development of First Nations clean-energy projects in areas such as ocean thermal, wind energy, biomass, run-of-river hydroelectric power, clean-energy planning, and other clean-energy-related areas.
• The fund also provides revenue-sharing agreements with First Nations for a portion of water and land rents charged by the Province for new clean-energy projects.
• If an eligible clean-energy project site is on a traditional territory, First Nations may be eligible for a revenue-sharing agreement.
• Thirty-four B.C. First Nations communities benefit from clean-energy revenue-sharing agreements under the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund.
• In March 2017, the B.C. government released the Rural Economic Development Strategy, which includes an ongoing commitment to partner with Aboriginal communities to ensure full access to development and growth opportunities.

Learn More:

Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe: www.ttml.ca/

First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund: http://ow.ly/JPz530apMVd

Community Energy Leadership Program: www.gov.bc.ca/communityenergyleadershipprogram

Clean Energy B.C.: www.cleanenergybc.org/