[This is shaping up to be a very divisive issue. Many in the movement that put uranium mining on ice in BC (1980) saw "small-scale hydro" as one of the renewable energy types that was an alternative to nuclear development. Ministry of Environment documents showed even then that fish habitat was a major vulnerability. But some of these projects are not really "small-scale," and in the intervening years public-private partnerships have become de rigeur. Unfortunately, the Western Canada Wilderness Committee has not consulted with interested indigenous communities--but, in a reversal of their normal practise, the government and industry have. -jlt]
Taku River
Photo by Western Canada Wilderness Committee
Photo by Western Canada Wilderness Committee
Ottawa, Ontario (May 19, 2009) - The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, today announced a contribution to the Aboriginal Energy Partnership to establish a new fund that will support Aboriginal involvement in renewable energy hydro projects in British Columbia.
"Our Government is committed to encouraging Aboriginal participation in resource and energy projects across Canada," said Minister Strahl. "Through this unique approach, we are maximizing the benefits of our investment in Aboriginal economic development by leveraging capital from the private sector and other partners."
The Aboriginal Energy Partnership will work with Ecotrust Canada to establish the First Nation Regeneration Fund. This new fund will provide financing to Aboriginal businesses and communities in British Columbia to purchase an equity stake in run-of-river hydro projects, which produce renewable energy.
| "Our traditional territorities, especially on the coast, have an abundance of clean energy. In fact, the first project we are helping to finance is a two-megawatt run-of-river hydro project owned by the Taku River Tlingit First Nation near Atlin in northern British Columbia." |
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