Our newsletter: 09 May 2024
Fortis BC wins Indigenous support for LNG
With two LNG-related projects in the works, FortisBC has been seeking, and winning, support from affected First Nations.
The first project is the proposed further expansion of FortisBC’s Tilbury LNG plant in Delta (photo above).
It began in 2018 a $400-million round of expansion that included spending on 25 Indigenous-affiliated vendors. Next, the plan is for Phase 2 of expansion, to increase Tilbury’s production up to 2.5 million tonnes of LNG a year, and the construction of an additional storage tank that will hold up to 142,400 cubic metres of LNG.
Subject to federal and provincial approvals, construction could begin as early as 2025 — and the Musqueam Indian Band already has an agreement with FortisBC that means further partnership and the sharing of benefits, and the second equity partnership on an LNG facility for the company.
In addition, FortisBC and Seaspan are forming a partnership to develop a marine jetty in the lower Fraser River adjacent to FortisBC’s Tilbury facility.
The project team has engaged with over 30 Indigenous communities through working sessions, individual meetings, and two-way exchanges of information. .
The Musqueam partnership agreement also covers the jetty project, and the jetty has already received consent letters from 11 First Nations.
(FortisBC is an affiliate member of our Alliance.)
Indigenous appeals change loans plan
Ottawa’s new Indigenous economic development policy marks a big change, says Prof. Ken Coates.
In a guest column in The Saskatoon StarPhoenix. Coates says the federal government’s new Indigenous loan guarantee program, announced in the latest federal budget, shows how the current government can be persuaded to make policy changes under pressure from Indigenous groups.
Under the original plan, oil and gas projects, along with some mining projects, would not have qualified — but after pressure from Indigenous governments, the federal government changed its tune.
“So there was actually a pretty good response to that. . . . We’re seeing a situation where the government is becoming more aware of what Indigenous people want to do.”
And, he added: “When Indigenous people get financial autonomy, then great things happen, generally.”
- See also this from the Indigenous Resource Network: https://ow.ly/E78V50RwEJz
Indigenous clean-energy news
- Nuclear industry proposes floating nuclear power plant (illustration above) to serve remote Indigenous communities: https://ow.ly/6Cui50RwGSr
- First Nations Power Authority and SaskEnergy to explore cleaner energy initiatives: https://ow.ly/8Upp50Rr7Fs
- BC Hydro’s request for proposals reinforces foundation for #Indigenous participation in clean-energy future: https://ow.ly/GeLV50RwGTn
- Alaska Hydro power dam in B.C. hits dead end, rejected by BC Hydro as it does not have 25% Indigenous participation: https://ow.ly/z79y50RwGUo
- Glooscap First Nation and Nova Scotia government partner to bring clean, renewable energy to community: https://ow.ly/iq1s50RwJNx
Also in the news
- Woodfibre LNG floatel is mugged by the Squamish council: https://ow.ly/TvCL50RvGpi
- See also: https://ow.ly/ALOl50RvN6B
- From Woodfibre LNG: Housing non-local workers, crew members and contractors on a floatel reduces pressure on local housing in Squamish: https://ow.ly/S3Tv50Rvax8
- ‘The positive vibes continue to build for the startup of LNG Canada.’ https://ow.ly/FC8150RuMLq
- Update: Cedar LNG is continuing to progress towards a final investment decision by the middle of 2024: https://ow.ly/4PT850RyShM (This corrects erroneous news reports that China’s Sinopec was eyeing an equity stake in Cedar LNG.)
- Canada is squandering its chances to be a major LNG exporter.—EY Canada leader: https://ow.ly/1U4n50RznXx
- How getting serious about LNG will benefit Canadians while helping lower global emissions: https://bit.ly/490gXl5
DATES
- Transformation in Energy Summit, Calgary, May 13-15: https://ow.ly/LPar50QtFi2
- The International Gas Research Conference, Banff, May 13-16: https://ow.ly/YCMV50Q9E6j. (Alliance chair Crystal Smith and Alliance director Bernardine Coleman are among speakers. And Chief Crystal and our Alliance CEO, Karen Ogen, are on the national governing body: https://igrc2024.org/)
- Forward Summit: Empowering Indigenous Economies, May 14-15, Tsuut’ina Nation, near Calgary: https://ow.ly/tcah50RnzR2
- Creating Energy Northern Resource Conference, May 21-22, Fort St. John: https://ow.ly/67FF50Rj430 (Alliance CEO Karen Ogen is a speaker.)
- Generate 2024 clean-energy conference, May 23-24, Vancouver: https://ow.ly/FWeH50QZJk8
- Indigenous Partnerships Success Showcase, June 5-6, Vancouver Convention Centre: https://ow.ly/uiop50QjxVH
- National Coalition of Chiefs Energy and Natural Resource Summit, June 9-10, Tsuut’ina Nation, near Calgary: https://ow.ly/B2Rs50QN7aw
- Global Energy Show, Calgary, June 11-13: https://ow.ly/mKwP50R2K0Z
- First Nations Power Authority’s Indigenous Cleaner Energy Forum, Saskatoon, June 26-27: https://ow.ly/1jkA50Re6xu
- Forward Summit East, Sept. 25-26, Orillia ON: https://ow.ly/i65h50QnWYR
- Forward Summit West Coast, Oct. 22-23, Vancouver: https://ow.ly/4UQe50R3CY2
Know someone who might be interested in our newsletter? Please let them know that they can subscribe here, for free. You’ll also find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (Twitter).
(Posted here 12 May 2024)
