A new report from Resource Works, Shaping the Peace, underscores the vital contributions of Northeast British Columbia’s communities, including Fort Nelson and Dawson Creek, to the province’s energy and environmental future. The Peace Region produces 93% of BC’s natural gas and nearly 40% of its hydroelectric power, making it a powerhouse in the province’s economy.
The report spotlights the Tu Deh-Kah Geothermal Project in Fort Nelson, operated by the Fort Nelson First Nation, as a model of Indigenous ownership and clean energy innovation. This project demonstrates how economic reconciliation can be achieved through community-led initiatives.
Farmers and business owners in Dawson Creek emphasize the importance of energy resources in their daily lives and the regional economy. The study calls on provincial and federal governments to support Indigenous partnerships, enhance energy security in remote communities, and invest in economic diversification and skills training across Northeast BC.
Resource Works will present these findings at the Union of BC Municipalities convention in Victoria this September, aiming to align policy with the realities of Northeast BC’s unique role in energy production, environmental stewardship, and reconciliation.
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