Engaged BC Treaty process vital component to clean energy development and First Nation future

It was 20 years ago that the B.C. First Nations Summit, the provincial government and Ottawa celebrated the beginning of the B.C. treaty process.  Among all parties was a sense of optimism. The process would ‘establish a new relationship based on mutual trust, respect, and understanding — through political negotiations’.[i] It would be an era of modern treaty-making and a new beginning of coexistence and cooperation with First Nations

Twenty years and $533 million[ii] later, optimism is all but gone from a process that has been nothing short of a failure. “The expectation (was) that we would be able to put this business to bed by the year 2000…that we would have treaties and land certainty,” says B.C. Treaty Chief Commissioner Sophie Pierre.  “This year, 2012, is the 20ieth anniversary of the treaty process …and we have two treaties. Not really a good record.”

One year later, clear proof of social and economic benefits of BC’s clean energy projects

Sunday road washout to Tipella, B.C.

In the shadow of the Garibaldi Mountains, the Inchuck-ch forestry road to Tipella can be an adventuresome gamble. The isolated, single track to Pemberton is subject to volatile weather, falling trees or as can be seen in the photo, heart stopping washouts. This past Sunday, an elder from the Douglas “Xa’xtsa” Indian Band was stopped by this flash washout. As he watched, his vehicle (bottom of picture) was pulled into the expanding hole. Such is life for those who live in the remote communities of Tipella and Douglas, at the north end of Harrison Lake.

But road washouts have been just one of the many difficulties faced by residents of this small aboriginal community. Despite overhead BC Hydro power lines running through Xa’Xtsa traditional territory, it was diesel fuel that powered the several dozen homes in the two villages on Douglas Creek for decades. And that diesel fuel had to be trucked down unpredictable roads year round. When washouts occurred, which they do on average twice a year, its impact was felt as diesel ran low and electricity to power homes was also cut back or cut out.

BC clean energy vehicle program good idea…but smells funny

Who among us would not like to have the cash to buy a clean-burning  vehicle, do our part to save the environment and get more bang for our gas buck? I’d say most of us. But who among us can afford a $100,000 vehicle?

It’s a good question, especially if you would like to get in on the clean-vehicle revolution and park a spanking-new hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in your driveway.  Unfortunately, that’s what your basic hydrogen vehicle costs these days. As a reporter, I attended a high profile news conference with prime minister Stephen Harper and former B.C. premier Gordon Campbell pre-2010 Olympics. Both were extolling the virtues of hydrogen vehicles and the proposed hydrogen highway from California to Whistler. After a technician at the conference pointed out to me the basic sedan on display would set you back 100k, I asked the politicians who could afford this outrageous price. Neither had a satisfactory answer.

BC clean energy company makes initial foray into competitive Ontario renewable energy market

Photovoltaic solar

One of BC’s largest clean energy companies is getting in on the renewable energy action in Ontario. Plutonic Power of Vancouver has announced that it is purchasing a portfolio of three yet-to-be-built photovoltaic solar facilities in Ontario that will eventually generate 50 megawatts of power. Plutonic is buying the assets from Ontario’s First Solar Inc.

This is another thrust into a new energy direction for Plutonic, which already has a stable of run-of-river and wind projects in British Columbia. Plutonic says it will make an equity contribution of approximately $6 million and will serve as the projects’ managing partner. Plutonic’s partner, GE Energy Financial Services, is also part of the deal.

Canada’s untapped hydropower potential: clean energy for Canada & the US

(The following is a reprint of a recent article in the online journal, renewableENERGYworld.com. The author is Russell Ray, Sr. associate editor. It has been edited for space purposes. The full article can be found here.)

Canada is already the world’s second-largest hydropower producer behind China.

But Canada is bent on producing more, driven by its vast potential for hydropower generation and demands for more clean energy in the U.S.

It’s a major element of Canada’s plan to boost its economy, as lawmakers attempt to wean the country off coal-fired power through landmark legislation that encourages the development of renewable energy, especially hydropower.