Our newsletter: 18 July 2024
New ‘greenwashing’ law hits First Nations
Our latest blog, with the headline above, drew strong interest on our social-media channels.
In it, Alliance CEO Karen Ogen noted that under the new federal law, companies (and individuals) must prove the truth of their public statements on climate benefits of their products or programs, or face potential millions in fines.
“It could be used as one more tool to discourage resource companies that might seek Indigenous partnerships, and to obstruct Indigenous investment in energy projects, and frustrate Indigenous benefits from resource projects.”
Also noted: “A small business or a First Nation could be fined up to $10 million for explaining on its website how its product or program or partnership would help Canada meet climate and net-zero goals. And a second conviction could cost $15 million.”
Social-media interest and interactions included this from Rebecca Shulz, Alberta’s environment minister: “A must read for all Canadians.”
- Read the blog here: https://ow.ly/HMNn50SB3og
Federal government backs Cedar LNG
Ottawa’s industry minister visited the Haisla Nation, and praised the Cedar LNG project, in which the Nation holds a majority interest.
“This is the kind of project we want to see,” François-Philippe Champagne, minister of innovation, science and industry, told The Terrace Standard. (He’s in the photo above with Crystal Smith, elected chief councillor of the Haisla and chair of our First Nations LNG Alliance.)
Champagne said his government is “in active conversations’ with the Haisla and partner Pembina Pipeline on government backing. “We are saying today that we will support the project, but discussions are still ongoing.”
There were earlier media reports that Export Development Canada, a federal Criown corporation, will lend the project $400-$500 million.
Meanwhile, the Haisla released a video celebrating the June 25 go-ahead decision on the project, and it has been drawing audiences online.
- Watch the video here: https://ow.ly/yNsK50SB3zU
Meanwhile, the Nisga’a Nation will hold on July 22 a virtual community session for Nisga’a citizens on training and working on the Ksi Lisims LNG project and the associated PRGT pipeline.
Premier blesses LNG Canada expansion
B.C. Premier David Eby told Bloomberg News that he’s optimistic that LNG Canada can be expanded without supercharging the province’s emissions.
‘Phase Two’ expansion is under active consideration by LNG Canada and its partners.
Industry reports say LNG Canada has been discussing with prime contractors their potential availability down the road. A key, though, is whether and how B.C. can provide enough electrical power.
Such expansion would double the Kitimat plant’s output to 14 million tonnes a year. A month ago, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said a decision was expected “soon.”
Meanwhile, Fluor Corporation has completed the final weld on the first production line (“train”) at the project: https://ow.ly/nmoy50SxSje
Pre-production testing is under way at the site, and LNG Canada promises the local community will get info well before any flaring of waste gas: https://ow.ly/NrMV50SzZk9
Malaysia’s Petronas (a 25% partner in LNG Canada) is adding three new LNG carriers to its fleet, to gear up for LNG Canada’s launch: https://ow.ly/5w5N50Sy5aC
The official target for production is mid-2025.
And Shell (a 40% partner in LNG Canada) is betting big on a world gas boom: https://ow.ly/Y8rk50SB2aX
- See also, from Resource Works: Green-leaning governments now back LNG projects? Sudden newfound support for LNG projects in Canada is truly remarkable: https://ow.ly/o76x50SCmFQ
Indigenous clean-energy news
- Fort Nelson First Nation in BC hopes geothermal project will power economic projects: https://ow.ly/4Hzy50SBBOW (Photo above)
- Fort Nelson Nation is also looking for a new logo for its Tu-Deh-Kah geothermal greenhouse project: https://ow.ly/trcq50SB37Z
- $9-billion wind farm in Quebec will have the Pekuakamiulnuatsh First Nation and the Atikamekw of Wemotaci as partners: https://ow.ly/9fqj50SB384
- Consortium of First Nations and Métis in Saskatchewan will have 30% interest in a wind project: https://ow.ly/A0sO50SB380
- Sawridge First Nation announces commissioning of four wind farms in Alberta, with Capstone Infrastructure Corporation: https://ow.ly/YWW250SB37Y
- Splatsin First Nations in BC reach benefit agreement with run-of-river power plant near Revelstoke: https://ow.ly/ZoB950SB37X
- Indigenous knowledge keepers from Canada take their clean-energy expertise abroad, to Australia and Colombia: https://ow.ly/7JFi50SB383
ALSO IN THE NEWS
- The Alliance has an opportunity available for a Reconciliation Outreach Contractor, to develop and implement a plan to increase engagement and outreach to First Nations in targeted areas. More info: https://ow.ly/l66k50SEisI
- Alliance CEO Karen Ogen championed the natural-resource sector to address Canada’s serious economic challenges, to help the move to cleaner energy, and to contribute to economic reconciliation: https://ow.ly/aZ9W50SyWcw
- Canada’s natural-gas sector is poised for significant growth, driven by ongoing LNG projects and rising demand for gas-fired electricity generation: https://ow.ly/sCxj50SxV03
- Enbridge commits to a goal of an additional $1 billion in Indigenous business spend by 2030: https://ow.ly/UzVB50SxPst (Enbridge is an affiliate member of our Alliance: https://ow.ly/nnlt50QHxhk)
- Nation2Nation’s 2024 theme for its Terrace Forum Oct. 8-10 is ‘Co-Designing Our Future.’ Register: http://nation2nation.ca/register
EVENTS
- Forward Summit East, Sept. 25-26, Orillia ON: https://ow.ly/i65h50QnWYR
- Carbon Capture Canada expo, Sept. 10-12, Edmonton: https://ow.ly/sOyJ50SBqxz
- Nation2Nation’s 8th annual forum, Oct. 8-10, Terrace BC: https://ow.ly/omzI50RAgBT
- Canadian Gas Association’s Energy Nexus and Technical Conference, Oct. 8-10, Toronto: https://ow.ly/HrKx50SbcZx
- Forward Summit West Coast, Oct. 22-23, Vancouver: https://ow.ly/4UQe50R3CY2
2025
- National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association, Indigenous Prosperity Forum, May 6-8, Gatineau PQ. Details TBA.
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