VICTORIA – Two clean energy agreements with the Province of B.C. will enable the Tahltan Nation to share revenue from run-of-river projects slated for the Northwest — the McLymont Creek hydroelectric project and the Volcano Creek hydroelectric project.
The agreements will see revenue from the clean-energy projects reinvested back into the community, as part of the Tahltan Nation’s ongoing economic development initiatives.
Both revenue-sharing agreements are the result of the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund, which promotes First Nations participation in the clean-energy sector. Through the agreements, the Tahltan Nation will receive a share of water rentals and land rents charged by the Province for licences issued to power developer AltaGas Renewable Energy Inc. for the life of the projects.
The projects also help B.C. meet its clean energy needs in an environmentally and socially responsible process that offsets the use of electricity generated from fossil fuels.
These new agreements build on other agreements — including a shared decision-making agreement — reached between the Province and the Tahltan Nation since 2013. The Tahltan Nation signed the first revenue-sharing agreement with B.C. under the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund for the Forrest Kerr hydroelectric project.
Both the McLymont Creek and the Volcano Creek hydroelectric projects will provide renewable energy power to BC Hydro through the Forrest Kerr 287-kilovolt transmission system to the Northwest Transmission Line substation at Bob Quinn. All power produced will be sold to BC Hydro for distribution to the province’s power grid.
These two revenue-sharing agreements are the 25th and 26th new economic benefit agreements reached with First Nations since the BC Jobs Plan was launched in 2011, and the seventh and eighth agreement of the 10 new non-treaty agreements B.C. committed to reaching over the next two years. These agreements support economic opportunities for both First Nations and neighbouring communities.
Quotes:
John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation –
“The success of agreements like these can be measured in many ways — but, most importantly, through respectful negotiations with First Nations where we find common ground, we can create an economic climate that provides opportunities for all British Columbians.”
“The Province is determined to move forward towards a broad and comprehensive reconciliation with First Nations. With these agreements, we continue to build a positive and enduring government-to-government relationship with the Tahltan Nation.”
Annita McPhee, president of the Tahltan Central Council –
“We are pleased to be signing two more agreements with the Province that ensure our Nation is fully involved in and benefitting from sustainable resource development in our territory.”
“The Tahltan Nation is committed to resource development, such as these clean energy projects, which respect the environment and Tahltan rights, while providing tangible benefits to our communities. These agreements show that we can work together with government when we are fully involved and have a strong role in the process.”