The Squamish Nation is plugging into shared provincial revenue in a new agreement with the B.C. government regarding the Box Canyon hydro project.
The revenue-sharing union is enabled by B.C.’s First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund, which aims to promote First Nations participation in the clean energy sector.
“These agreements help support the development of clean energy projects by First Nations and their partners,” the Minister of Aboriginal Relations John Rustad stated in a press release.
“And by providing additional sources of clean, sustainable hydroelectric power these projects also benefit people in other communities throughout B.C.”
The Box Canyon hydro project will use stream flow from Box Canyon, Marty and Cascara creeks to feed a generator located above the confluence of Box Canyon and McNab creeks.
The project received a BC Hydro energy purchasing agreement in 2010.
The hydro facility is being developed by Elemental Energy Inc. The run-of-river project is expected to have a capacity of 15 megawatts and generate enough hydroelectricity to power approximately 4,500 homes.
“The Squamish Nation is pleased to see the responsible use of clean energy projects within its traditional territory,” Squamish Nation Chief Gibby Jacob said.
“Revenue sharing is an important component in building relations and sharing in benefits derived from projects that lie within the Squamish Nation territory.”
Located on the west shore of Howe Sound, approximately 10.5 kilometres northeast of Port Mellon, the hydroelectric facility will be connected to BC Hydro’s grid by a 2.8 kilometre, 138-kilovolt transmission line situated along sections of existing logging roads and cut blocks on the west side of
McNab Creek.
Once operational, the revenue to Squamish Nation is anticipated to hit $70,699 per year over the life of the project.
“Squamish Nation has been an integral part of the Box Canyon hydro project since the beginning, working with us to address traditional land-use and environmental issues,” Elemental Energy Inc.’s principal Jamie Houssian said.
“We are excited about the construction phase of the project, which will bring social, economic and employment benefits for Squamish Nation, and we are hopeful that we will be able to work together on future projects.”
The signing of the revenue-sharing project marks the 43rd non-treaty agreement the goverment has entered with First Nations since the B.C. Jobs Plan.
