The provincial government is providing $30,000 to Wet'suwet'en First Nation (WFN) to support the community's examination of clean energy opportunities within its traditional territory.
The examination will help determine how clean energy projects can provide a source of revenue and create employment opportunities for WFN. In addition, the plan will study the community's energy use and total greenhouse gas emissions and provide options to reduce community energy use.
Chief Karen Ogen said clean energy initiatives align with WFN’s goal of preserving and maintaining the environment.
“Wet’suwet’en First Nation is committed to ensuring we balance our environmental concerns with any future energy projects we might pursue in our traditional territory,” she said. “This funding will help us explore some of the clean energy options that might be available."
The funding provided to WFN is part of B.C.’ First Nations clean energy business fund. Since 2011, more than 100 Aboriginal communities have benefited from $6.9 million through this funding.
John Rustad, MLA for Nechako Lakes, said this funding helps First Nations communities explore a variety of potential benefits, including reduced power consumption, job creation, and new revenue sources from clean energy development.
According to the provincial government, the clean energy technology industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in B.C., with more than 200 organizations, 68 per cent of which were formed in the past decade.