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VOL. 26 NO. 48
www.terracestandard.com
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Kitselas, Enbridge ink power deal By anna killen Kitselas First Nation, Enbridge, and a geothermal exploration company have signed a deal that could see a power-producing geothermal plant built in the Mount Layton hot springs area. A first step was to pay $100,000 to the province earlier this year for the exclusive subsurface rights to 2,865 hectares of land south of Lakelse Lake, on traditional Kitselas territory. LL Geothermal Inc., a consortium of Kitselas, En-
bridge and Borealis GeoPower can now apply for authorization to drill in the area, and if it discovers a geothermal resource and decides to proceed with a plant, it can apply to convert the permit to a lease. A geothermal energy plant uses steam and superheated water found deep inside the earth to spin turbines which then generate electricity. Champions of the resource charge it as one of the most clean and reliable renewable energy sources,
although the geothermal industry is still relatively small in Canada compared to other renewables like run-of-river, wind, and solar power. But the project, which, if approved, would be the first of its kind in Canada, is still in its infancy. “The project, and its site, must meet a number of conditions during its approval process,” reads an article in a recent issue of a Kitselas First Nation newsletter. “One important condition is whether other First Nations have an interest in the area.”
Lax Kw’alaams and Metlakatla, Tsimshian First Nations on the North Coast, also have claims to the area, and talks are ongoing. According to the application filed with the provincial government, the site also overlaps an area identified by the Haisla of Kitamaat Village as being traditional territory. The regional district of Kitimat-Stikine and the City of Terrace also want to be included in discussions surrounding exploration and development.
There had been interest in geothermal development in the Lakelse Lake area as far back as 1991 but the regional district called for a halt of any exploratory drilling plans after Mount Layton owner Bert Orleans said his water source could be threatened. But in 2009, the province put a number of potential geothermal sites on offer, including the area near Lakelse Lake, although it wasn’t until late 2012 that it received interest in the site. The government then
proceeded with a new pretenure referral in May 2013. Tim Thompson, CEO of Calgary-based Borealis, said the hot springs in the Mount Layton area are the hottest in Canada. “We’ve been interested in the area since we became incorporated as a company (in 2007),” he said. “Since before that probably.” This also isn’t the first time Enbridge has taken an interest in renewable energy here.
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Rec location under threat By Anna Killen
MARGARET SPEIRS PHOTO
■■ Happy 25 bill mcrae, left, one of the founding members of the Dr. R.E.M. Lee Hospital foundation chats with current foundation chair Todd Taylor at a March 5, 2014 event held to commemorate the foundation’s 25th anniversary. It raises money to purchase medical equipment by itself or in partnership with other groups.
A popular recreation site near Terrace is in danger of being closed to the public if CN can't find someone willing to take over the maintenance of its railroad crossing that provides access to the road leading to the site. “If a crossing agreement is not in place by April 1, CN will close the crossing with a locked gate,” said CN spokesperson Emily Hamer last week, of the railway crossing located along Highway 16 about half-an-hour west of Terrace. That railway crossing leads to a public road which then follows along the Exstew River into a provincial recreation site located on provincial crown land. The well-used area has one of the largest waterfalls in the province, an 11-slip camping and picnic site, and plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing, fishing, and rock climbing. But public access could be cut off early this spring, warns a recently erected closure notice posted at the railroad crossing. “The crossing at Exstew is actually a private crossing that intersects with a forest service road, which is under the jurisdiction of the province,” said Hamer, of the sign's intention. “Currently CN is clarifying who will take responsibility for the maintenance of the private railway crossing.” CN is mainly concerned with the maintenance of the approaches on either side of the crossing, she said, noting that could include things like snow removal. “A road authority needs to take responsibility for the maintenance of the railway crossing,” she said. To that end, CN has been in discussion with the provincial ministry of forests, lands, and natural resources for the last two to three months, confirmed the ministry.
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Goodbye
Yay or nay?
Go Caleb!
Friends and family pay their last respects to museum founder \COMMUNITY A11
The Terrace chamber wants to know where you stand on Enbridge \NEWS A10
Terrace sit-skier is in Sochi competing at the 2014 Paralympic Games \SPORTS A29