The Province of British Columbia announced over $25 million June 18 in new First Nations’ investments to transition coastal communities from dependence on fossil fuel-powered electricity to sustainable, locally powered renewable energy systems, eliminating over 175,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. Participating communities include Coast Funds, Dzawada̱ʼenux̱w First Nation, and Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation.
The First Nations’ investments are financed with $7.9 million from the Renewable Energy for Remote Communities program, launched under a partnership between Coast Funds and the Province of B.C. The Renewable Energy for Remote Communities program is a key component of the Province’s CleanBC plan. By 2030, the Province aims to reduce province-wide diesel consumption for generating electricity in remote communities by 80% under CleanBC.
The Kitasoo/Xai’xias Nation’s main community is located in Klemtu on B.C.’s Central Coast. Photo by Brodie Guy.
“Dzawada̱ʼenux̱w and Kitasoo/Xai’xais have sustainably cared for their unceded lands and waters for thousands of years,” said Huux̱ Percy Crosby, Chair of Coast Funds. “The renewable energy investments we’re proud to announce today are a testament to these sovereign Nations’ leadership in stewarding and safeguarding their territories, demonstrating a pathway to sustainability for all communities in British Columbia and around the world. We are grateful for our strong relationships with these Nations and our partnership with the Province of B.C. to empower these investments under CleanBC.”
Beginning in spring 2021, Dzawada̱ʼenux̱w First Nation will initiate the construction of a new hydropower facility for their village of U’kwanalis located on Gwa’yi (Kingcome River) in Kingcome Inlet, northeast of Broughton Island. 95 Dzawada̱ʼenux̱w people currently call U’kwanalis home, a community that has been dependent on diesel to generate its electricity for over 20 years. Dzawada̱ʼenux̱w First Nation’s new investment is expected to result in a 97% reduction in diesel consumption with a reduction of 30,200 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over the operating life of the hydropower facility. Dzawada̱ʼenux̱w will further invest in new employment and training opportunities throughout the construction of the new facility and its ongoing operations.
And beginning this summer, Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation will expand and modernize their existing hydropower facility in Klemtu, a community with 300 full-time residents located on Swindle Island. Kitasoo/Xai’xais have owned and operated the hydropower facility located at Baron Lake for the past 40 years. With this new investment, Kitasoo/Xai’xais will eliminate the community’s future dependency on costly fossil fuel-powered electricity and will increase electrical power generation, spurring new investments in housing and economic development opportunities that strengthen sustainability and human well-being in Klemtu. Kitasoo/Xai’xais will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Klemtu by an estimated 145,966 tonnes over the hydropower facility’s operating life. Kitasoo/Xai’xais will further invest in new employment and training opportunities in the community by hiring local people for its ongoing operations.
Coast Funds provides Indigenous-led, permanent conservation finance to strengthen the well-being of First Nations and the ecological integrity of the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii regions of British Columbia. Founded with $118 million in 2007, Coast Funds is a partnership of private foundations and government. As of June 2020, Coast Funds had approved $100.7 million towards 395 conservation and sustainable development projects.