Our newsletter: 22 June 2023
Joe Bevan, First Nations economic development leader, said the opening in 2025 of the LNG Canada project, and the Coastal GasLink pipeline that feeds it, could be followed by other opportunities for First Nations peoples and businesses.
A former elected chief of the Kitselas Nation in B.C., Bevan told our webinar on Indigenous economic development: “It’s not the end of it just yet.”
He went on to say there could be more than one pipeline to serve LNG Canada.
Update: Coastal GasLink says Phase 1 of LNG Canada means just one pipeline, the single Coastal GasLink pipeline that is heading towards completion, plus a short connector to serve the Haisla Nation’s proposed Cedar LNG plant.
CGL adds that Phase 2 of LNG Canada, if it goes ahead, would mean six additional compressor stations to increase the capacity of the current Coastal GasLink line; but there would be no additional pipeline(s).
Still, Bevan said: “There’s going to be a lot more work happening (for First Nations people) than we think. . . . You’re talking 40-plus years of . . . in particular, LNG. So I don’t think that’s going to be over as fast as we think.
“And once it is producing, now is the time to start thinking what other projects do we want to align with. . . . and I think we need to show alignment with mining as well as clean energy. . . . I’m talking of big projects, production of hydrogen (and) a bunch of by-products that come off of that, ammonia, methanol.”
Bevan added that there will also be further opportunities thanks to the proposed Cedar LNG project of the Haisla Nation and Ksi Lisims LNG proposed by the Nisga’a Nation. “I don’t think LNG’s going to totally stop with just one project (LNG Canada) up in the northwest.”
Another economic development expert, Joe Alaimoana, who works with First Nations in B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan, picked up on Bevan’s comment about continuing LNG work.
“When you talk about the additional infrastructure . . . it’s also helping out in Alberta, because the more product (natural gas) that’s going to be required, the more opportunities (for) communities on the Alberta side.”
Other speakers were Jade Irwin, general manager of the Skin Tyee Nation in B.C. and secretary of the Alliance, and Jackie Thomas of the Saik’uz Nation, also a director of the Alliance. The webinar was hosted by Lisa Mueller, Alliance outreach leader.
- Watch the video recording at https://ow.ly/SJm150OOzxY. (Passcode is @^qBY2G5)
And read our blog . . . .
Green lights are expected in fall for the Haisla Nation’s Cedar LNG project. And then, we hope, for the Nisga’a Nation’s Ksi Lisims LNG project. Read it here: https://ow.ly/bhrK50OOE6j
As well, from Resource Works: Speed up the process for Ksi Lisims LNG. Pressure mounts on government to reduce wait times for Indigenous-led LNG projects: https://ow.ly/sU4Q50OTg7V
Our CEO on the road
Our Karen Ogen (at left) met Alberta Premier Danielle Smith (and Rob Kopecky of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers). This was at the National Coalition of Chiefs’ Energy and Natural Resource Summit in Calgary.
Karen’s messages to the summit included this: The Alliance seeks benefits for First Nations and for Canada: the highest environmental standards from extraction to processing to port; increased economic development and quality of life for First Nations; equity ownership and funding in projects for First Nations.
Then Karen was part of a delegation of the Business Council of Alberta to Ottawa, where she said improving government regulatory systems on natural resources, including mechanisms to both foster greater partnerships between industry and First Nations and speed up projects, could lead to an economic boom for everyone.
“Benefits go back to the community and they’re real and tangible.”
The council launched recommendations to improve Canada’s resource-regulatory system to meet environmental and economic goals. Learn more: https://ow.ly/Ogky50ORgFc
The ‘compelling case’ for Canada’s LNG
A new report from Energy for a Secure Future Canada argues:
“Canadian LNG presents a compelling case of how to meet global energy, environmental, affordability, and security needs. It also helps advance economic prosperity and other social goals in Canada, including Indigenous reconciliation.
“What is needed is the right level of focus and support from governments to take advantage of this opportunity.”
Among its points:
· “Canada should seek international credits for Canadian LNG that displaces higher emitting energy sources in world markets.”
· “LNG benefits extend deeply to Indigenous communities.”
Read the full report here: https://ow.ly/kW2W50ORSmx
Indigenous clean-energy news
- Asian buyers are interested in hydrogen from McLeod Lake Indian Band’s proposed $5-billion plant in BC: https://ow.ly/Owol50OJ2gV
- The Malahat First Nation in BC is testing solar panels embedded in pavement as a source of electricity to power its administrative building: https://ow.ly/jqgK50ORgGF
- New Brunswick wind project opens, majority-owned by Tobique First Nation: https://ow.ly/78Zt50ORgHQ
- Three major carbon-capture projects in Alberta include Indigenous participation and ownership: http://ow.ly/ZL6R50OHSQ5
- Miawpukek Nation in NL urges government consideration of wind-hydrogen development: https://ow.ly/NMHJ50ORgMJ
- First Nations ownership/participation to be included in BC Hydro call in 2024 for new sources of renewable power: ly/N9mq50OQq50
- BC gives $140 million to BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative to support Indigenous-led power projects: https://ow.ly/veqh50OPYxl
- Acho Dene Koe Nation in NWT partners with BC company to explore geothermal energy project: https://ow.ly/PRyw50ORgKW
- For Indigenous peoples and communities, the clean-energy future looks bright: https://ow.ly/evIW50OOKfk
ALSO IN THE NEWS
- Video: The latest construction update from LNG Canada, now more than 80% complete. Watch it here: https://ow.ly/c5uV50ORf0z
- Chinese yards ship the last pre-fabricated modules for the LNG Canada plant: https://ow.ly/230Z50OQrbK
- Tunnel-boring machinery arrives at Squamish for FortisBC’s Eagle Mountain–Woodfibre gas pipeline project to serve Woodfibre LNG: https://ow.ly/rr7R50ORfXK
- Indigenous Resource Network says federal Sustainable Jobs Act “could have potential negative implications for Indigenous oil and gas workers.” https://ow.ly/TQIF50OReTs
- Removal of policy and regulatory impediments could help Canada to become the world’s fifth-largest LNG producer and exporter: https://ow.ly/FV3350OOGNS
- The Canada Energy Regulator sees Canada relying increasingly on electricity by 2050, along with hydrogen, bioenergy, and carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS): https://ow.ly/rES950OT4EL
DATES
June
- The First Nations Power Authority holds its Indigenous Cleaner Energy Forum, June 26-27, Saskatoon: http://ow.ly/NYMx50NVA1A
July
- The LNG 2023 Conference, July 10-13, Vancouver Convention Centre. Info/register: http://ow.ly/VVUl50MjbwU (Speakers include our Alliance chair, Chief Councillor Crystal Smith of the Haisla Nation in B.C.)
- The sixth annual national Indigenous Clean Energy Forum, July 28, Vancouver. Info/register: http://ow.ly/CvbA50NteNK
September
- Carbon Capture Canada, Sept. 12-14, Edmonton: http://ow.ly/3iBP50LRo0R
October
- Nation2Nation’s 7th annual forum in Terrace BC, October 17-19: https://nation2nation.ca
2024
- The International Gas Research Conference, May 13-16. Our Alliance CEO, Karen Ogen, is on the national organizing committee. Conference website: https://igrc2024.org/
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