Guided by Nuxalk knowledge, tradition, and protocol, the Clean Energy Department is committed to energy sovereignty in Nuxalk territory through clean energy projects that enhance quality of life and protect the natural environment.
Biomass Initiative
The Nation is exploring the possibility of a biomass facility to strategically provide heat during the fall winter months and throughout the year as it can be ramped up and down in response to community needs. Biomass refers to non-fossil fuel organic materials such as wood, straw, vegetable oils and wastes from forestry, agriculture and industry. An example of local biomass could be wood waste from the forestry industry or other local businesses such as local mill operations.
Specifically, the Nation is hoping to target our biggest heat loads in the community to create an economically viable alternative for diesel displacement that currently relies on using systems for heating that are heavily dependent on electricity supplied from BC Hydro’s diesel station. If you have any questions about the project, please contact Vince Robinson or Elijah Mecham.
The Nookliklonnik run-of-river hydro power project is a big part of the mission to reduce the Nation’s dependency on diesel generated electricity. Together with our technical partners, Urban Systems, the Nation has been conducting numerous studies to determine if the project is feasible and to discover the potential impacts on fish and wildlife in the area.
While still in its infancy, the project looks promising. Sites have to meet certain criteria to even be considered for such a project, and the team looked at a total of 10 sites before narrowing it to three and eventually settling on Nooklikonnik as the best option.
There are still more studies to be completed and we will update the community as the work progresses. If you have any questions, please contact our office.
Nooklikonnik was identified as the location with the most potential for a variety of reasons. More work remains to be done, but the early results of our studies are promising.
Will this provide jobs for our community members?
If approved, the construction of the project will provide a generous amount of employment for our community members. Upon completion of the project, employment will be more minimal as the project will require a small workforce dedicated solely to operations and management.
Why another hydro project?
Given the abundance of watersheds and accompanying creek flows, hydro power is the most suitable choice for our Valley and the best chance at reducing our diesel consumption.
What is next to move the project along?
There are four main steps to complete before the project becomes a reality and these involve studying certain aspects of the project: hydrology (the collection of data reporting water flows throughout the year), biological (the identification of any potential negative impacts on fish and wildlife and how these might be mitigated), geo-hazards (identification and potential mitigation of any potential natural hazards associated with the area) and archaeological (to determine Nuxalk’s ancestral use of the area and ensure it is respected and conserved).
Hydro Generation / supply estimate
This Graph shows the yearly estimated usage starting in January all the way to December.
The power estimated to be produced by Klonic is in “orange”, which is stacked on the “blue”. The “Blue” is the production of Clayton falls hydro station.
The “Grey” directly above the orange is the diesel that we use here in our community during mainly the winter and moving into the spring until the snow begins to melt.
Nuxalk Energy Empowerment Program
This program looks into electricity usage and management techniques for our community to use at home and for local bushiness’s and community centers to deploy as well.
Additionally the program provides an in-depth look into how the billing process works and what the appropriate channels are to go to for help.
If you are experiencing problems and would like to know more please feel free to call, email, or just drop by the office any time.
If you would like our comprehensive guide for those future moments when you or someone you know is having difficulties please send us an email at “ elijah@nuxalknation.ca or clean.energy@nuxalknation.ca“ or drop by to get a paper copy.
Our homes are not energy efficient, and will only get better through hard work and dedication. Our team will be performing EnerGuide assessments (Pre, and Post), and followed up with energy saving retrofits that are tailored to the home as an “Energy System”, Additonally we have hired Braden Tallio to the team to take the “EnerGuide Assessor” training so we can create more employment locally.. We will be running community engagement sessions, and offering in home training to understand how your home operates. We now have funding for both Snxlhh and Q’umk’uts and are looking to start the project in Spring 2024.
The nation has completed a 127kw solar installation at three buildings. The longhouse at the Acwsalcta school received a 27kWp system, the school received a 80kWp system, and the band office received a 20kwp system. We are expecting to reduce the amount of power required from BC Hydro and reduce the amount they are paying. Allowing funding to go into other programs or to assist our nation with new projects.
We are considering as per our “Community Energy Plan” new solar installations. Potential future sites include but are not limited to the following:
1. Big House (NOT BUILT) 2. Elders Village (NOT BUILT) 3. 22-Apartments Snuqaax Mamnta (Feasible) 4. Community Hall (Structural Issues) 5. Youth Centre (Feasible) 6. Water Pump House (Feasible)
The clean energy department has spent the last 4 years updating the “CEP” for our nation. The CEP outlines how the clean energy department and what the department does with regards to homes, renewable energy, diesel power, BC Hydro and more. The plan highlights priority projects, and what needs to be done and when. The last CEP that was done was 2014, we are still awaiting councils’ endorsement of our most recent revision. For more detailed information please click on the blue link below to view the “Nuxalk Nations – Community Energy Plan
