Splatsin exploring clean energy potential

Press Release

July 13, 2016

Thanks to support from British Columbia’s First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund, the Splatsin is focused on forming a clean energy strategy to create a more environmentally and economically sustainable community.

The Splatsin will receive $25,400 to develop a community energy plan. The plan will study cleaner approaches to generating electricity and provide community leadership on energy use.

Specifically, the funds will create an energy policy and procedures manual to evaluate potential clean energy projects. The manual, which will be developed in consultation with Headwater Capital Consulting, will also:

• Provide guidance on clean energy use;
• Help staff to make informed decisions on potential clean energy projects; and
• Boost local staff capacity and resources focused on clean energy, reducing the need for outside consultation.

Capacity funding provided through the B.C. First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund is for assisting clean energy project feasibility studies, community energy planning, or engaging with project proponents.

Funding for this project and other agreements is part of the Province’s commitment to reconciliation with First Nations. This includes ensuring more nations are involved in economic opportunities that make their communities and the rest of the province stronger.

Quotes:

John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation –

“The Province continues to support local clean energy initiatives in communities, including First Nations, as they look to improve environmental and economic sustainability. This funding provides the necessary support to the Splatsin as they work to develop a comprehensive community energy plan.”

Kukpi7 (Chief) Wayne Christian, Splatsin –

“It is critical that our community develop a strategy around clean energy to improve resource management and mitigate environmental impacts. By looking at project opportunities and ways to manage and improve energy consumption, we can create responsible, new economic opportunities that simultaneously protect the land, environment and community. In our language: ‘Tult = the transformation of energy into matter.’”

Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines –

“The First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund supports renewable energy and environmental initiatives for First Nations, in turn helping to advance the Province’s clean energy priorities. A community energy plan will help the Splatsin benefit from the amazing potential of clean energy.”

Greg Kyllo, MLA for Shuswap –

“Developing a community energy plan and exploring local clean energy opportunities will provide great benefits to the Splatsin. New economic doors will be opened and resource efficiency will be improved to make the community a better place for all citizens.”

Quick Facts:

• The Splatsin are the most southern tribe of the Shuswap Nation and reside on Indian reserve lands adjacent to the City of Enderby to the south and across the Shuswap River to the east.
• The First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund provides equity funding of up to $500,000 and capacity development funding of up to $50,000 to support First Nations with feasibility studies or engagement with private sector proponents of clean-energy projects.
• Since 2011, more than 100 Aboriginal communities have benefited from more than $7.1 million in capacity and equity funding through the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund.
• The fund supports First Nations participation in ocean and wind energy, biomass, run-of-river hydroelectric power, clean energy planning and related projects.
• The fund also allows First Nations with revenue-sharing agreements to receive a portion of water and land rents charged by the Province for new clean energy projects.
• B.C. has 43 clean energy revenue-sharing agreements with 33 First Nations.
• Headwater Capital Consulting provides informed advice to First Nations organizations on renewable energy, sourcing capital and financial analysis.

Learn More:

• Splatsin:  www.splatsin.ca/
• For more information on the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund, visit:www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=1178ADF080E24FDD931DA6FB88D67607

ILR5