British Columbia energy project
Gratton is talking about electrical transmission that could transform a region for all those who live, work, and play in North West B.C., not the least of which would be First Nation communities. He told Vancouver Board of Trade and media this month, including First Nations Drum, about a recent MABC study showing the potential of this backbone-sized infrastructure project.
The study of last Sep. ’08 said the Highway 37 Project will attract more than $15 billion in investment, create 10,700 jobs, and generate $300 million in annual tax revenues to governments.
Here’s something else it would do, “provide access to green power for up to ten known mining projects,” and furthermore, “the North West possesses the greatest new potential in hydro power development in the province, the study identifying 700MW of small hydro and up to 1,500MW of wind projects,” says Gratton.
While at the same time as MABC is making opportunity clear other developments are occurring, including a $7 million investment fund created by Ecotrust Canada administered by First Nation economic developers like TRICORP in the Pacific North West. This fund’s goal is creation of First Nation-owned Green Energy hydro developments in Gitxsan, Nisga’a, Tsimshian, and Haida lands and waters (but not exclusively those nations).
The MABC report stated that “Immediate greenhouse gas emission reduction from the shutdown of current diesel generation combined with the estimated avoided emissions from the generation of green energy (of approved and licensed run-of-river projects), is almost 100,000 tonnes of CO2e or the equivalent of taking over 17,000 cars off the road.”
First Nations Drum reported (May 2009) on a unique energy transmission company in North Ontario owned exclusively by First Nations along James Bay. Five Nations Energy Inc. is owned by Ft. Albany, Kashetchewan, and Attawapiskat First Nations and two other tribal affiliates in Timmons, Ontario. FNEI supplies electricity to their own communities and worked closely with DeBeers Victor Diamond Mine on a 90km extension to the property operating in Musqugewon Cree Nation.
Looking skyward for economic opportunity and diversity
Solar power is energizing the T'Sou-ke Nation on the southern end of Vancouver Island (west and north of Victoria, B.C.), in a project named “Sum-SHA-Thut”, Sencoten for “sunshine.” Chief Gordon Planes, T’Souke Nation said, Sum-SHA-Thut inspires remote and diesel dependent communities to learn about solar power.
T’Souke Nation is aiming at drastic reductions in fossil fuel emissions, hoping to improve the health of First Nations people by reducing particulates and pollution-related diseases. Sum-SHA-Thut will develop sustainable “green-collar” jobs in communities hit hard by job losses in forestry, fisheries, and recession.
T’Souke’s leadership will contribute to First Nations stepping into green-technology energy solutions. "For most of our history First Nations were rooted in the traditions of sustainable living and respect for the land," says Planes, "and the Sum-SHA-Thut project is the first step in achieving energy self-sufficiency once again."
"Starting with support from the Innovative Clean Energy Fund, T'Sou-ke Nation is making a real community success of their solar energy project," adds Small Business, Technology and Economic Development Minister Ida Chong, who was onsite in May 2009 to open the Sum-SHA-Thut photovoltaic system.
"Energy self-sufficiency is a contemporary objective linked to T'Sou-ke Nation's deep cultural connection to the natural environment,” says Minister Chong, “and will play a vital role in supporting future economic opportunities.”
Chief Planes notes the T'Sou-ke Nation is sponsoring a Solar Gathering on Sat., Jul. 11, 2009 to promote awareness of solar voltaic and offer insights into financing. “It will be consistent with our Longhouse ideals,” says Planes. “We are giving this information away free of charge to show how sustainability can be achieved once again, using the power of the sun, wind, and sea.”
“T’Sou-ke is a proving ground for community-wide solar hot water,” said Joe Thwaites, from Taylor Munro Energy Systems, with respect to the partnership with T’Souke, “a project that demonstrates a sustainable alternative to diesel for remote First Nations communities.”
Making solar power accessible involves ramping up training, “The customized training that graduated nine trainees in May 2009 breaks ground by teaching in an ‘oral-tradition’ approach, which respects culture and harnesses the diverse skills of the community as both teachers and learners,” said Donna Morton of First Power, a unique business and non-profit organization dedicated to supporting First Nation energy autonomy.
Morton says the program is tailored to promote learning as a team, “orally and hands-on,” and 60 percent of the PV equipment in Sum-SHA-Thut was installed by First Power trained personnel. (Donna notes the project has reduced BC Hydro bills in T’Souke by 15 percent and greater reductions will accrue.)
Alec Tully, Public Affairs Officer, B.C. Ministry of Small Business, Technology, said the T’Souke project, “is the largest Aboriginal-community-based solar project in the world. It’s about community development,” and the Band Office and a new fisheries facilities are solar powered, with 25 homes on the internal system for hot water. Alec notes, ICE Fund will spend over $75 million in three years to bring projects like Sum-SHA-Thut into being.
