Energy strategy to be discussed

Nishnawbe Aski Nation chiefs will be meeting Jan. 31- Feb. 2 in Thunder Bay to discuss energy needs, share challenges and develop an energy strategy.
“We’re bringing in the key players from the Aboriginal-First Nations side to help us connect the dots on what does the blueprint look like for energy development for NAN territory,” said Grand Chief Stan Beardy. “We’re trying to bring in all the players in one room and come up with a plan.”
The conference will be held at the Valhalla Inn, with day one featuring government presentations on various legislation, policies and regulations and day two featuring industry dialogue.
NAN is looking for community representatives, including chiefs and technical people, to develop energy strategies on the third day of the conference.
“How do we connect the dots, how do we integrate all the planning that is already in place to make sure there is a clear path forward in terms of energy development,” Beardy said.
While different groups of First Nation corporations and communities have been developing energy plans and strategies over a number of years, Beardy said they have not developed an overall snapshot of the energy potential or plans within NAN territory.
“Whoever controls energy development to a large extent will control what happens in terms of resource extraction activities within the far north,” Beardy said. “If the NAN communities, the NAN leadership, the NAN First Nations are in a position to develop energy, with their needs and other economic interests, it would have a strategic advantage.”
Beardy noted the maintenance and fuel costs for diesel-powered electricity generation plants are becoming very expensive in NAN communities.
“The costs keep going up continuously and they are not necessarily environmentally friendly,” Beardy said.
Beardy said NAN has been researching energy concerns and opportunities over the past five to six years.
“We’ve looked at inter-provincial connection with Manitoba,” Beardy said.
“We’ve worked closely with the Ontario government in terms of their policy development in regards to energy, for example the Ontario Green Energy Act. A lot of First Nations are on the ground doing research and planning, but now I feel is the time to bring all the different players together to begin to connect those dots: what does it look like?”