First Nations Announce Over $25 Million in New Renewable Energy Investments to Decarbonize Their Coastal Communities
Source: COAST FUNDS | June 18, 2020
The Kitasoo/Xai’xias Nation’s main community is located in Klemtu on B.C.’s Central Coast. Photo by Brodie Guy.
Coast Funds, Dzawada̱ʼenux̱w First Nation, Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation, and the Province of British Columbia announced over $25 million in new First Nations’ investments to transition coastal communities from dependence on fossil fuel-powered electricity to sustainable, locally powered renewable energy systems, eliminating over 175,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
These First Nations’ investments are financed with $7.9 million from the RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR REMOTE COMMUNITIES program, launched under a partnership between Coast Funds and the Province of B.C. The Renewable Energy for Remote Communities program is a key component of the Province’s CLEANBC plan. By 2030, the Province aims to reduce province-wide diesel consumption for generating electricity in remote communities by 80% under CleanBC.
“Dzawada̱ʼenux̱w and Kitasoo/Xai’xais have sustainably cared for their unceded lands and waters for thousands of years,” stated Huux̱ Percy Crosby, Chair of Coast Funds. “The renewable energy investments we’re proud to announce today are a testament to these sovereign Nations’ leadership in stewarding and safeguarding their territories, demonstrating a pathway to sustainability for all communities in British Columbia and around the world. We are grateful for our strong relationships with these Nations and our partnership with the Province of B.C. to empower these investments under CleanBC.”
By moving forward with these major renewable energy investments, DZAWADA̱ʼENUX̱W FIRST NATION and KITASOO/XAI’XAIS FIRST NATION are reclaiming their energy sovereignty and increasing community resilience in their communities: U’kwanalis (Kingcome Inlet) and Klemtu (Swindle Island). Through these projects, the Dzawada̱ʼenux̱w and Kitasoo/Xai’xais peoples reduce the transportation of fossil fuels along the B.C. coast, decreasing the threat of spills in their unceded territories on the Pacific Coast of Canada, a region that is renowned for its globally significant ecological and cultural importance.
Padakus Creek 350kW Hydropower Facility Development
Beginning in spring 2021, Dzawada̱ʼenux̱w First Nation will initiate the construction of a new hydropower facility for their village of U’kwanalis located on Gwa’yi (Kingcome River) in Kingcome Inlet, northeast of Broughton Island. 95 Dzawada̱ʼenux̱w people currently call U’kwanalis home, a community that has been dependent on diesel to generate its electricity for over 20 years. Dzawada̱ʼenux̱w First Nation’s new investment announced today is expected to result in a 97% reduction in diesel consumption with a reduction of 30,200 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over the operating life of the hydropower facility. Dzawada̱ʼenux̱w will further invest in new employment and training opportunities throughout the construction of the new facility and its ongoing operations.