Evaluating Renewable Energy Opportunities for First Nations in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick Diana Campbell
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Western University Scholarship@Western Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi) 4-2011 More than Wind: Evaluating Renewable Energy Opportunities for First Nations in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick Diana Campbell Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/aprci Part of the Environmental Policy Commons Citation of this paper: Campbell, Diana, "More than Wind: Evaluating Renewable Energy Opportunities for First Nations in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick" (2011). Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi). 206. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/aprci/206 The Atlantic Aboriginal Economic Development Integrated Research Program, AAEDIRP More than Wind: Evaluating Renewable Energy Opportunities for First Nations in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick April 2011 Prepared by Diana Campbell, MREM The Atlantic Aboriginal Economic Development Integrated Research Program, AAEDIRP ATLANTIC POLICY CONGRESS OF FIRST NATIONS CHIEFS SECRETARIAT More than Wind: Evaluating Renewable Energy Opportunities for First Nations in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick is one of nine new research reports on Aboriginal economic development released by Atlantic Aboriginal Economic Development Integrated Program, (AAEDIRP) in 2010/2011. The AAEDIRP is a unique research program formed through partnerships between the 38 member communities of the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs (APCFNC), plus the Inuit, 12 Atlantic universities and 4 government funders, both federal and provincial. AAEDIRP funders include Indian and North Affairs Canada, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Aboriginal Affairs, Nova Scotia. The AAEDIRP conducts research on Aboriginal economic development that is relevant to communities, builds Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal research capacity, conducts workshops on Aboriginal economic development and is developing a database on this topic. The main purpose of the AAEDIRP is to improve the knowledge base concerning Atlantic Aboriginal economic development in order to improve the lives of the Aboriginal people in the region. The APCFNC is a policy research organization that analyzes and develops culturally relevant alternatives to federal policies that impact on the Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy and Innu Aboriginal communities and peoples. Maliseet Artist Arlene Christmas (Dozay) created the AAEDIRP logo AAEDIRP UNIVERSITY PARTNERS Dalhousie University St. Thomas University Acadia University University of New Brunswick Saint Mary’s University St. Francis Xavier University Memorial University Université de Moncton Mount Allison University Cape Breton University University of PEI Mount Saint Vincent University Copyright © 2011, Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat Disclaimer The author of this publication has worked independently and opinions expressed by them do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Chiefs, Communities, staff or funders of the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs. For More Information, Please Contact: APCFNC 153 Willowdale Drive, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada B2V 0A5 (902) 435-8021 Toll Free 1-877-667-4007 www.apcfnc.ca 2 More than Wind: Evaluating Renewable Energy Opportunities for First Nations in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick RESEARCHER Diana Campbell, MREM, Indian Brook First Nation AAEDIRP RESEARCH SUBCOMMITTEE Dr. Fred Wien, AAEDIRP Research Subcommittee Chair, AAEDIRP University Co-Chair, Former Professor, School of Social Work, Dalhousie University Robert Atwin, Executive Director, First Nations Education Initiatives Inc. Dr. Sharon Taylor, Associate Professor, School of Social Work, Memorial University of Newfoundland Dr. Susan Blair, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of New Brunswick John Paul, AAEDIRP Aboriginal Co-Chair, Executive Director of the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The researcher would like to thank and acknowledge First Nation Chiefs, Band staff, government, and industry individuals for their time and the feedback provided for this project. Acknowledgement is also extended to Research Coordinator Gillian Austin and the staff of the AAEDIRP at the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs for their assistance and guidance. A large thank you is extended to Dr. Michelle Adams for providing her expertise in the emerging field of renewable energy. DISCLAIMER This report should serve as general reference only. It is not a legal interpretation of any policies or regulations. The report is not intended to provide every detail or regulatory requirement. Caution should be used in ensuring that amendments to legislation, policies or programs that may have occurred since the publication of this research paper are taken into account. It is suggested that the appropriate organization should be contacted to obtain the most recent information. Information included in this paper was current as of the date of publication. The information is intended to help in the understanding of the potential benefits of renewable energy development and should only be referenced as a supplementary guide when making a determination to devote time and resources toward developing a project. The First Nation will need to assess the benefits of the project in the context of the economic development goals of their respective community. 3 Table of Contents List of Figures................................................................................................................................. 7 List of Tables.................................................................................................................................. 9 Executive Summary....................................................................................................................... 10 Chapter 1 Introduction............................................................................................................. 13 1.1 Research Questions................................................................................................. 14 Chapter 2 Methodology........................................................................................................... 15 2.1 Aboriginal Research Capacity Building.................................................................... 15 2.2 Research Ethics........................................................................................................ 16 2.3 Challenges............................................................................................................... 16 2.4 Band Protocol.......................................................................................................... 17 2.5 Survey and Interview Results.................................................................................. 17 Chapter 3 Legislative/Jurisdictional......................................................................................... 20 3.1 Province of Nova Scotia........................................................................................... 21 3.2 Province of New Brunswick..................................................................................... 26 3.3 First Nation Governments....................................................................................... 30 3.4 Case for Regional Approach and Cooperation........................................................ 33 3.5 Regulatory Approvals for Project Development...................................................... 34 Chapter 4 Funding.................................................................................................................... 35 4.1 Provincial................................................................................................................. 35 4.2 Federal..................................................................................................................... 36 4.3 First Nation.............................................................................................................. 39 4.4 Other Jurisdictions................................................................................................... 40 4.5 Other Tools.............................................................................................................. 41 4 4.6 Procurement Strategies/Policies............................................................................. 42 Chapter 5 Technology.............................................................................................................. 43 5.1 Wind........................................................................................................................ 43 5.2 Small-Scale Hydro................................................................................................... 49 5.3 Solar......................................................................................................................... 53 5.4 Tidal/Wave.............................................................................................................. 59 5.5 Biofuel..................................................................................................................... 61 5.6 Biomass................................................................................................................... 62 5.7 Biogas...................................................................................................................... 65 5.8. Geothermal/Geo-Exchange Systems......................................................................