The Sechelt, Squamish and Klahoose First Nations have lashed out at the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) for a ruling which they say creates roadblocks for a range of independent power projects (IPPs) on their traditional territory.
"It was really a shock to the Sechelt Indian Band (SIB) because we have so many projects that are going to take place, and with the decision that came down, that put them all on the back burner," said Band councillor Tom Paul.
BCUC released a ruling July 27 that refuses to endorse the B.C. Liberals energy plan, which targets energy self-sufficiency for the province by 2016. BCUC rejected the plan as "not in the public interest" and refused to endorse the government's clean energy call, which was meant to spur the creation of IPPs.
The commission argues the power won't be needed if more is done to promote conservation and that BC Hydro can increase its reliance on power from Burrard Thermal, the "brown field" natural-gas power generating station near Port Moody.
The SIB sent a strongly-worded letter to BCUC, expressing frustration and disappointment with the ruling, which they say will create regulatory roadblocks to the development of IPPs.
"By not specifically endorsing BC Hydro's current Clean Power Call, you have, with the stroke of your pen, undermined our opportunities and unilaterally and arbitrarily taken off the table those benefits and opportunities that we were negotiating, on behalf of our people, with green energy companies undertaking responsible developments in our territories," the SIB said in the letter.
Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons said what bothers him the most is that it's government policy that has created this conflict, and to him that's a sign of bad management and poor public policy.
"The First Nations need to be looking after their citizens," said Simons. "This decision has obviously put some of their tools to do that in question, at least temporarily. I think that the larger questions around IPPs are the ones that need to be debated and those include public participation and public ownership. I think that obviously government is going to be looking at ways of trying to get around this independent body's decision, and I just think the focus should remain on whether we need this power, how much we need it, is it going to serve our interests, or is it going to meet our needs when we need it the most."
In an interview with the Squamish Chief newspaper, Squamish Nation Chief Gibby Jacob expressed his frustration with the ruling, saying the Band's private partners have already invested approximately $300,000 on preliminary studies for 10 run-of-river power proposals.
"If [the projects] don't go, that's money down the tubes for us," Jacob said. "It's one thing that we've been able to accomplish to get some opportunities with them, plus enhance fisheries values. There's a lot of positives in it for us."
In an opinion piece for the Powell River Peak, Klahoose First Nation Chief Ken Brown has attacked the ruling for its rejection of the Liberals' call for green power.
"The Obama administration is moving forward on every green and sustainable energy front, and as other provinces move to build green economies, we are subjected to a ruling from BCUC that wants us to rely on fossil fuel-burning Burrard Thermal, in direct contrast to the B.C. government green energy plan," he writes in his column published in the Aug. 12 edition of The Peak. "I doubt if the children and grandchildren of the unelected officials and bureaucrats responsible for this decision live downwind of Burrard Thermal."
The three Bands are now waiting to see how the provincial government will react to the ruling.
"We're hoping maybe the provincial government will step in and resolve the issue with the BC Utilities Commission," Paul said. "We have about three or four IPPs that are already existing in our traditional territory and those IPPs produce a lot of revenue and a lot of opportunities for the Band. And also, once they're up and running, they'll also produce taxes for the local governments, so there are a lot of direct spinoffs that would have benefited the community, not just the Sechelt Indian Band."
Chief Jacob echoed the hope that the ruling won't put an end to the IPPs.
"If you have no hope, you have nothing," he said. "I'm pretty hopeful we'll get to the point where the decision that was undertaken could be mitigated somewhat."
- With files from Sylvie Paillard, Squamish Chief
