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Kitselas First Nation signs impact benefit agreement in support of BC Hydro's Northwest Transmission Line

TERRACE, B.C.  – The Kitselas First Nation and BC Hydro announced today the signing of an impact benefit agreement that will provide the First Nation with economic development funds and training related to the construction of the Northwest Transmission Line project.

The Kitselas First Nation is also expected to gain work from the project through the negotiation of a contract for clearing and road building on the Northwest Transmission Line's right-of-way in their traditional territory. The work is expected to be undertaken by Kitselas Forest Products Ltd., owned and operated by the Kitselas First Nation.

The Northwest Transmission Line will be a 344-kilometre, 287-kilovolt transmission line from Skeena Substation, near Terrace, to Bob Quinn Lake. The $404-million project will provide a secure interconnection point for clean energy generation projects, supply clean electricity to support industrial developments in the area, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by enabling communities now relying on diesel generation to connect to the BC Hydro grid.

"The Kitselas First Nation is supportive of development that makes responsible use of our lands and resources and delivers benefits to the region that are in balance with the impacts of the project," said Kitselas Chief Glenn Bennett.

"We are continuing to participate actively in the environmental project review of the Northwest Transmission Line, and subject to the issuance of an environmental assessment certificate for the project, Kitselas, pursuant to our stewardship policy, will fully support BC Hydro's Northwest Transmission Line," he stated.

The Skeena Substation is located on Kitselas traditional territory. The impact benefit agreement with BC Hydro will provide the Kitselas First Nation with economic development funds and training and networking resources to develop business partnerships and initiatives related to the project's development, such as construction, transportation and other services, and for industrial and commercial opportunities once the transmission line is complete.

"The signing of this impact benefit agreement marks an important milestone and reflects BC Hydro's commitment to building a trusted relationship with the Kitselas First Nation," said Dave Cobb, BC Hydro CEO and president.

"Our goal is to foster economic development opportunities throughout B.C. so we are very pleased to be working with the Kitselas First Nation and we look forward to partnering with other First Nations as we move forward in developing the Northwest Transmission Line, which will open up an entire region of the province to job-creating resource projects."

BC Hydro recently sponsored a utility training camp for 22 Kitselas First Nation members in preparation for the project's construction, expected to begin in spring of 2011.

Contact:

Chief Glenn Bennett
Kitselas First Nation
Phone: 250 635 8882 local 233

Greg Alexis
BC Hydro Media Relations
Phone: 604 623 4022