First Nations Clean Energy funding

From Tahltan Central Council:

“Tahltan must be part of decision making concerning land and resources as Tahltan people continue to exercise their inherent right to self government, including Tahltan land stewardship that protects Tahltan lands for future generations.”

TAHLTAN NATION RECEIVES $500,000 FROM FIRST NATIONS CLEAN ENERGY FUND

In early December, Tahltan Central Council learned that our Nation would be receiving $500,000 from a provincial fund called the “First Nations Clean Energy Fund” after submitting an application earlier in the year. The grant is the maximum amount that can be awarded. The funding will be used to help our Nation invest a total of $2 million in the Volcano Creek run-of-river hydroelectric project.

In addition to receiving money through revenue-sharing agreements, which is how we are compensated for most developments in our territory, we will be taking a large financial stake in Volcano Creek. As investors, our role as decision-makers, not stakeholders, is emphasized. Profit from the project belongs directly to the Nation, instead of first belonging to the company and then being given to us. Investing in Volcano Creek does not compromise any of the revenue-sharing agreements already in place.

Volcano Creek is expected to run for 60 years and provide a 7.95% return every year, meaning that an initial $2 million would grow to around about $13.2 million in 60 years.

This is in addition to existing revenue-sharing agreements in place. The project is very well managed, beginning commercial operations in late December, a full two years ahead of the original schedule.

This news is the latest result of respectful and fruitful ongoing relationships with the province and AltaGas’s run-of-river hydroelectric projects. Already there is an agreement in place to share the revenue that comes from the projects, and there are also impact benefit agreements (IBAs) between AltaGas, TCC, Tahltan Band Council and Iskut Band Council.

As well as allowing for investment, the IBAs provide jobs and training opportunities for our people while also making sure Tahltan people are involved in environmental protection and monitoring. This includes an Environmental Protection Committee that is made up of both Tahltan and AltaGas representatives.

Volcano Creek is a run-of-river hydroelectric project that delivers power to the Northwest Transmission Line. It is one of three AltaGas projects in Tahltan territory. The others are the Forrest Kerr and McLymont Creek hydroelectric projects.

Source: http://www.tahltan.org/sites/default/files/newsletters/TCC_Newsletter_Jan2015_JF_v9_web.pdf

 

 

Royal Dutch Shell's threat to the Stikine area continues

New Water Act may help protect endangered Sacred Headwaters

By Karen Tam Wu

The last Sunday of September marks Rivers Day, the day when people around the world celebrate one of the planet’s greatest resources — our rivers. This Rivers Day in British Columbia, however, may be one to mourn.

In May of [2014], the headwaters of the Skeena, Nass and Stikine Rivers, an area known as the Sacred Headwaters, were declared the most endangered rivers in our province. Royal Dutch Shell’s plan to drill for coal-bed methane (CBM) is the biggest threat to three of our greatest salmon rivers.

During his keynote address at the World Energy Congress in Montreal last week, Royal Dutch Shell CEO Peter Voser extolled the virtues of unconventional sources of natural gas as the answer to worldwide hunger for energy, and he claimed the risks associated with extraction were worthwhile. Voser dismissed public concern about the impact of hydraulic fracturing, a technique used to drill for natural gas, on freshwater resources. Voser called for relaxing of regulations to allow natural gas development to “reach its potential.”

Seen somewhat as the messiah who can lead the world to B.C.‘s wealth of natural gas, Bill Bennett, B.C. minister of energy, mines and petroleum resources, became an instant celebrity at the congress.

Given Bennett and Voser’s comments last week, it sounds like B.C. is going full speed ahead in the natural gas business. While some risks of development may be mitigated, ecologically unique and sensitive areas, such as the Sacred Headwaters, should never be endangered in the first place.

The Sacred Headwaters is an intricate complex of lakes and streams, amid delicate alpine meadows, lush with alpine shrubs and flowers. The Skeena is the second longest river in the province and the second-most productive salmon-bearing river in North America. Subjecting an area so abundant with pure freshwater to gas extraction and the subsequent impacts on the local and downstream communities, wildlife and fish that depend on the rivers — the arteries of the landscape — is cause for grief.

Well pads, pipelines and roads associated with CBM would transform this picturesque landscape into an industrial checkerboard. Burying our heads in the sand would only review an equal, if not worse horror underground.

 

READ MORE: HERE

 

Tahltan Strike Power Company Deal

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Tahltan Nation announced it has signed an impact benefit agreement (IBA) with Coast Mountain Hydro, a subsidiary of Alberta-based AltaGas, for the Forrest Kerr run-of-river hydroelectric project. The agreement comprises a combination of environmental protections, cultural resource protections and economic participation for the Tahltan Nation for the project which would generate hydro power from the Iskut River.

"The Tahltan Nation is proud of this Impact Benefit Agreement with Coast Mountain Hydro Corp. and the increased economic security that it will provide for generations to come," says Annita McPhee, Chair of the Tahltan Central Council. "This agreement establishes ownership, management of our resources and profit sharing while taking into consideration the protection of our environment as a renewable energy project. This IBA will set the bar for resource development projects and demonstrates the results of a successful relationship with a company in Tahltan Territory that respects our aboriginal title and rights."

"Any land and resource decisions affecting Tahltan Traditional Territory must respect the environment, the Tahltan way of life and the Tahltan people," said Annita McPhee earlier today. "The agreement reflects the significant input we've gathered from consultation with community members and, while protecting our territory and our way of life, provides our Nation with long-term economic security."

The Forrest Kerr Project will provide business opportunities for members of the Tahltan Nation to participate in the construction, operation and maintenance of the project, and Tahltan university graduates will have opportunities to enroll in training programs with AltaGas. The agreement also provides economic benefits to the Tahltan Nation, including shared ownership and royalties.

Read More: Here

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