Concerns are rising among some First Nations and environmental advocates in northern British Columbia regarding a plan to link the Yukon to the provincial power grid. They fear that this project could trigger extensive development in untouched boreal forests and wetlands.
The Yukon government has projected that the Yukon-B.C. grid connection initiative could generate annual economic growth of up to $7.6 billion, produce around 36,000 jobs, and facilitate the transition to electricity in six diesel-reliant communities. The proposed scheme entails the installation of an 800-kilometer high-voltage transmission line between the Yukon and northern British Columbia.
With the Yukon’s standalone grid facing mounting pressure to meet local power demands, officials have identified the grid connection as a viable remedy. However, Nikki Skuce, director of the B.C. environmental group Northern Confluence, expressed reservations about the potential impact of the project on the biodiverse northern B.C. region. She highlighted concerns about the construction of new transmission infrastructure and roads, which could accelerate the push for critical minerals extraction.
The Yukon Development Corporation has pinpointed 19 mining ventures that could benefit from the grid connection, such as the Red Chris expansion and Eskay Creek revitalization in B.C., and the Kudz Ze Kayah, Casino, and Mactung projects in the Yukon. Currently in the pre-feasibility phase, the grid connect project is receiving financial support from the Yukon Development Corporation and the Government of Canada’s Critical Mineral Infrastructure Fund.
Terry Teegee, the regional chief of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations, foresees the project opening up isolated areas to economic activities, potentially leading to new mining projects. He expressed concerns about the potential impact of increased development on local water sources and quality.
In northern B.C., Lower Post relies on diesel power from Watson Lake, Yukon, making it one of the largest diesel-dependent communities in Canada. Harlan Schilling, deputy chief of the Daylu Dena Council, believes the project could enhance the community’s grid stability, mitigate power outages, create job opportunities, and foster partnerships. He sees the project as a chance for First Nations to collaborate and spearhead a nationally significant initiative.
Schilling emphasized the importance of Indigenous involvement from the project’s inception and stressed the need for community consultation before moving forward. Teegee acknowledged the project’s potential benefits for Indigenous communities in transitioning away from diesel energy but cautioned about the associated environmental costs. He urged careful consideration of the project’s implications and emphasized the need to make informed decisions for the well-being of the communities involved.