More on wind energy and renewable diesel projects in Prince George
Plus - our crane needs a name, Shirley Bond is still repping PG and UNBC students' coffee habits help drive $1 million in revenue
More details on the wind farm announcement from yesterday’s newsletter via the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation:
The project, named Nilhts’I Ecoener Wind Farm Project, involves the construction of eighteen (18) wind turbines east of Hixon, BC. Lheidli T’enneh, along with Ecoener, worked swiftly and constructively to form a partnership that would secure the rights to the project in this region.
“As a Nation, we are consistently focused on the development of clean, green, energy opportunities that assist in moving the entire Province forward constructively and safely,” stated Chief Dolleen Logan, on behalf of Lheidli T’enneh First Nation. “Our objective is sourcing and securing strong partnerships that assist in lifting our Nation and its members, while securing a strong future for the environment and major projects. We are particularly interested in those projects that place green processes and economic reconciliation at the forefront of their work.”
Along with the Nations investment in Nilhts’I Ecoener Energy Corp., the company formed by Lheidli T’enneh and Ecoener for purposes of developing the Nilhts'I Ecoener Wind Farm Project, Lheidli T'enneh has financial interests in the Northwest Transmission Line (NTL) Project, securing further electrification opportunities throughout British Columbia.
And in the Citizen, more on the renewable diesel project Kiel Giddens was tweeting about:
Reached by phone in Victoria on Tuesday Dec. 10, Giddens said there are Louisiana-based renewable diesel producers who receive subsidies through the Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act who then receive further subsidies in BC, allowing them to undercut local producers.
His bill, he said, would account for that “double dipping” by reducing BC’s subsidies by the amount producers are receiving from other sources.
“It’s making sure that we are protecting BC jobs and supporting a fair trade market for this,” Giddens said of his bill.
“Really, we want these jobs here at home in BC and not to rely on importing renewable diesel. This is about energy security as well. There’s very limited refining capacity in total in British Columbia and if this strategic asset is at risk, it impacts our fuel prices.”
The $430 million refinery that opened in 2023 makes renewable diesel from canola oil, tallow, used cooking oil and tall oil. However, the diesel produced is not considered biodiesel because it is molecularly identical to conventional diesel.
When The Citizen reported on the refinery’s opening, former Tidewater CEO Rob Colcleugh was quoted as saying that the project was only made possibly because of the credits the company was receiving under the province’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, which is the umbrella term for both the Low Carbon Fuels Act and its associated regulations.
Related:
Shirley Bond stays public
Despite not being the MLA anymore, Shirley Bond has remained very active in the community, popping up at and supporting community events ever since the election. At her last press conference as the MLA I did ask her if she would be moving behind the scenes or planning to stay in the public eye and she very definitively said the public eye and sure enough, here she is as the director of public relations for the 2025 B.C. Special Olympics B.C Summer Games coming to town this summer. Also involved is former mayor Lyn Hall.
Little tip if you’re looking for some local gifts… Hometown Prints is (unfortunately) liquidating as they shut down their retail operations and has lots of fun PG apparel on sale. I grabbed this hoodie of an otter floating down the river drinking some Trench to go with a few of the other shirts I have from there. I’m hoping they keep some of these designs on tap for custom orders…
Our crane needs a name
I absolutely love this story from Dawson Creek about the city saying goodbye to two cranes, nicknamed “Dan” and “Hank” after the Sedin twins, that have been visible throughout town as they helped construct the new hospital. This weekend I got my haircut and at the barbershop there was a guy from Toronto who was asking what was up with the giant crane we have towering over the downtown, which is here to build the hospital parkade. But as far as I know, it doesn’t have a nickname. So…. what should it be? Leave a comment or email northerncapitalnews@gmail.com.
Prince George Wrapped
News roundup:
Mining company charged 10 years after spilling toxic waste into B.C. waters.
Arson attempt tips police off to illegal guns and pineapple-shaped drugs.
UNBC’s student government made $1.3 million in the last fiscal year, a jump attributed to a 35 per cent increase in purchases at the coffee shop they run (offsetting losses at the Thirsty Moose Pub).
CNC is enlisting four-legged therapists to help with school stress.
PG man taken to Kelowna hospital following brain bleed; Go Fund Me launched.
Prince George women's organizations receive federal funding.
PG Chamber, Local CUPW 812 share views on how to achieve new deal.
Celebrate Christmas the Olde-Fashioned way at Barkerville this weekend.
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Send feedback by emailing northerncapitalnews@gmail.com. Find me online at akurjata.ca.