BC Bioenergy Network, First Nations collaborate

Nov. 25, 2009, Vancouver – The BC Bioenergy Network (BCBN), the First Nations Energy and
Mining Council (FNEMC), and the First Nations Forestry Council (FNFC) are
entering into a strategic agreement to further the development and
commercialization of bioenergy technologies in British Columbia. Under the
terms of the agreement, the organizations have agreed to cooperate to increase the
understanding of BC First Nations’ capacity development opportunities relating
to energy and economic development, and in particular, bioenergy power
solutions for First Nations communities. The parties will endeavor to raise
additional capital to support these projects. Project examples could include
biomass-powered combined heat and power generation systems and are anticipated
to be collaborative development and demonstration centres that will showcase
bioenergy solutions in First Nations communities.

“We are
delighted to formalize our cooperation with the FNEMC and the FNFC and
anticipate they will be key organizations to accelerate the development of the
bioenergy sector in First Nations communities,” says Michael Weedon, executive director
of the BCBN. “We look forward to strengthening our relationship by establishing
bioenergy demonstration projects in First Nations communities to showcase these
solutions to other communities in BC.”

“Through
innovative bioenergy solutions, First Nations communities across British
Columbia could play a key role in developing local, clean, and renewable
energy,” says Blair Lekstrom, minister of energy, mines, and petroleum resources.

“This is
a timely announcement for us since it coincides with our recent First Nations
in the Forest Forum 2009, where in excess of 120 First Nations and other
interested parties met to review opportunities for building capacity in the
forest sector and the bioenergy industry for First Nations peoples,” comments
Keith Atkinson, CEO of the FNFC. “We have built a foundation in the last couple
of years and now we are building the relationships necessary to implement some
demonstration projects in our communities.”