A group of B.C. First Nations recently travelled to Ontario to learn about nuclear power and small modular reactors and how they could help the province meet its growing electricity needs.
Ontario is moving ahead with plans to build up to four small modular reactors (SMRs).
The Respective Territories of the Haisla Nation, Metlakatla First Nation, Nisga’a Nation, Halfway River First Nation and Ts’il Kaz Koh First Nation are now asking if that technology could one day have a place in B.C.
“Is it the right thing?” Chief Wes Sam of the Ts’il Kaz Koh First Nation said.
“I don’t know, I’m trying to determine that. I’m not for or against, but I like to educate myself and so does my community, and maybe probably the province of B.C. should look into potential possibilities.”
B.C. is expecting a surge in electricity demand over the next two decades. While the province is betting on wind and solar, First Nations say they’re exploring every option to meet future energy needs.
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“While infrastructure co-ownership is already a well-established model for our Nations across LNG plants, port infrastructure and gas facilities, introducing advanced nuclear power like small modular reactors represents a completely new frontier for British Columbia,” Sam added.
“As we lead major industrial decarbonization efforts across northern B.C., we must proactively evaluate every potential low- and zero-emission power option to sustain our economies and secure our clean energy future.”
For now, nuclear isn’t part of the B.C. government’s plans.
The B.C. government says nuclear power isn’t in its plans for now, saying recent power calls attracted thousands of megawatts of wind and solar proposals, much of it Indigenous-led.
There are also questions about whether SMRs make economic sense in B.C.
Ontario’s first reactor is still years from completion, and experts say building an industry from scratch in Western Canada would take even longer and cost even more.
“I think the evidence on that is pretty clear that renewables are lower cost than anything else right now, and … that wasn’t the case, you know, 15 years ago,” Tim Weis, senior director of the Industrial Decarbonization group at the Pembina Institute, said.
“But wind, solar, and batteries are the lowest-cost electricity we’ve ever seen from any technology, and so they’re basically outcompeting almost everything.”
First Nations leaders insist the trip wasn’t about endorsing nuclear power.
They say it was about understanding a technology that could become an option decades from now, while renewable energy remains the immediate focus.
Ya must be from the dogshite tribe
Would the FN just pick a path and stick to it?. You only want the old ways when it suits you best and then they use the new ways when it suits them best again. How about you take some of your funding and build a hospital or two. Name it some unpronounceable name and fill it with the homeless and the zombies who are filling other hospitals at record setting amounts
Maga = Typical NAZl whiteboy on the internet. So f**king stupid he can’t even spell properly. Further proof that inbreeding amongst white people is still a serious issue in our society
Eatshite and dye, you f-ing liberal scumbags!
Bro what grade are you in? I mean… I know you’re a dumb NAZl with no education but seriously. Your insults are just pathetic
I like to suck donkeys off
Who paid for the trip?
Eat carnholes azz out jay
Looks like the NAZl copycat troll glitched out 🤣🤣 The free wifi at the local truckstop must’ve went down
The typical inbred MAGA NAZlS voicing their opinions. Then they wonder
Exactly who runs BC???
Expecting that Wind, solar, and Batteries will be the future primary supplier is a eco- weanies wet dream. It is simply not reliable, period. Alberta can always sell power to BC during peak times, but would have to put a carbon tariff on it. Lol.
I wonder if BC’s feathered friends expect to store spent nuclear rods in Vancouver and Victoria?
Still burning their siding to heat their homes tho
The typical inbred MAGA NAZlS voicing their opinions. Then they wonder why they never get laid
Eat out a libturds azz FN
Funny how a few hundred years ago they were living in the Stone Age.
Get a fugging job ya bums!
Show them money and they’ll bend over and spread
good idea!
Bob B – Hahahaha looks like you’ve completely lost your mind buddy. It’s not like there’s a whole lot between your ears anyways. I love that you think anyone that you don’t agree with on here is me. It just proves I’m in your head 24/7 😂😂😂😂😂 It must be the fact that little racist cowards like you are currently losing in BC and First Nations people in BC are currently winning. DRIPA doesn’t mean shlt there’s still so many other battles being won. I guess that’s why you’re constantly crying about the next election. Actually you weak little whiteboys in Canada won’t stop going on and on about how you desperately want a vote or talking about how everything is going to change after the next election bla bla bla. Just in case you didn’t know… if you need to win a vote to get what you want. It means you’re losing 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Didn’t they already try this is Ontario?
BTW the Canadian government is currently in the process of making residential school denialism illegal in Canada. We’ll see how funny it is when one of cowardIy little rants gets you charged by the RCMP and FYI most Canadians don’t like racist idiots like you so good luck getting any sympathy. Especially from the judge
Yep and billions of dollars spent on healthcare for people just like you. Your pathetic racist obsession with first nations people is just proof that you have some sort of mental illness
F/ K FIRST NATIONS ! WERE ALL GED UP AND DISGUSTED
BC’s ban on nuclear is criminally stupid.
Bad Idea!
At Vancouverite ( Hi JV) : 😂 “ have residents that make more money than they do”
Bahaha, they don’t make it they take it from dumb progressives.
And your bragging about?
@Vancouverite
Billions were given out of our tax money to FN
They still plead poverty
I guess you’re one of the people who gave Eby his mandate to kill BC businesses
FYI the FN don’t MAKE money they take it
From taxpayers
But I guess not being Canadian and not paying taxes helps you post ignorant comments
Great balls of fire
They can’t get decent housing conditions for the tribe and proper drinking water and they want to go nuclear?
You gotta be kidding
All of the racist idiots are jealous that some first nations communities have residents that make more money than they do
Good on them. I wouldn’t expect a FN group to consider nuclear power. I appreciate their willingness to learn about the technology before affirming or opposing.
Good on them. I wouldn’t expect a FN group to consider nuclear power. I appreciate their willingness to learn about the technology before affirming or opposing.
Can someone please explain what input the fns have when its indig6led. Is is consultory,monetary or actual construction, and what and where does the funding come from
Would we allow the Mennonites or the Hutterites, or the Chinese community of Richmond build nuclear power plants? Why would anyone contemplate allowing natives build power plants?
Carbon doesn’t cause climate change. Big burning ball fire in the sky causes climate to change, Earth rotation
And BTW, that small nuclear reactor didn’t just blow a seal–It just ate a sandwich with mayonnaise.
What happened to walrus blubber and buffalo skins? Let’s stay traditional eh.
Been putting SMR in subs for decades, how bloody hard can it be!?
FN checking into eating beans, farting, turn turbine to power the rez
Maybe just allow dams to built without taking a overwhelming sum
of the revenue.
Seems cheaper and easier.
Haisla, Metlakatla, Nisga’a Nation, Halfway River First Nation and Ts’il Kaz Koh? Bidib, Bidib, Bidib( porkey pig sound )
And so for the average taxpayer and which BTW given my kids response to the question, Who and Where the F are this lot from?
Wes Sam?? Is that both your suspected dads names I guess.