WHITESAND FIRST NATION — A massive investment by the federal government means a long-planned biomass heat and power plant in Whitesand First Nation is finally set to become a reality.
“It’s a project that will be First Nations-led, will create economic and employment benefits, and is actually going to help us in our fight against climate change,” he said. The facility will also support the energy needs of a new wood pellet plant and a fully electric wood merchandising yard. “Whitesand's vision of energy independence and economic growth began in 1992 when we proposed a biomass cogeneration facility,” he said. “Although that proposal was not accepted, and despite the many barriers we have faced through the years, we did not give up and today our vision of a sustainable future through the use of our local forest is at hand."
In a release, the feds said the investment fits perfectly with its priorities to “cut pollution, create good jobs, and support Indigenous leadership.” “The Bio-Economy Centre is confirmation of how Canada's low-carbon programs … can lead to substantial economic growth, employment, GHG reduction and forestry expansion,” he said in a statement.