"Over $400,000 in green energy benefits for Six Nations"

Six Nations is poised to receive another $400,000 if it signs on the dotted line in another green energy deal.

Six Nations Economic Development is in the midst of gauging community support for two solar projects located within the 1701 Nanfan Treaty area. If the community agrees to the deal, it will be the ninth green energy deal for Six Nations Economic Development.

The two projects are expected to bring in a one time royalty payment of $432,392.73.

The community engagement period ends Nov. 21. One community meeting was held on Oct. 23 with no plans for more meetings before Nov. 21.

These two projects will generate 10 megawatts each in renewable energy which will be sold to the Ontario Power Authority under the Feed in Tariff (FIT) program. The projects will be owned and operated by SunEdison.

The Norfolk Bloomsburg project commenced operation in May 2014 and the Welland Ridge project is currently under construction.

The Welland Ridge project is located outside the City of Welland. The Norfolk Bloomsburg project is located about three kilometers outside the city of Simcoe in the village of Bloomsburg.

The Six Nations Consultation and Accommodation Process (CAP) team began meeting with SunEdison in September 2010.

Amy Lickers, Six Nations Community Planner, said both companies thought that by notifying Six Nations of the projects, they had fulfilled their duty to consult and that's why community engagement is coming so late in the process.

"SunEdison believed that they had fulfilled their duty to consult and accommodate by notifying Six Nations of the projects," said Lickers. "When the CAP team found out that Norfolk Bloomsburg was being sold, they notified the potential owner (Firelight Infrastructure) that SunEdison had not fulfilled their duty to consult with Six Nations. SunEdison returned to discussions with the CAP team."

Lickers said she will be hosting a community information session later this month to talk about an economic development trust that is being formed to manage revenues from economic development projects, including green energy projects.

"The Trust isn't just for green energy projects, but could also disburse revenues from other economic development projects as well," said Lickers. "The Trust will be overseen by a board of community members which will be guided by an advisory board to ensure that the funds are being spent with community values and principles in mind."

The trust board will be independent of Six Nations band council and Economic Development, said Lickers. It is anticipated that the public call for board members will take place in February 2015, she said.

"I will be hosting a community information session on the trust in late November and am hoping to hold one each month until the trust board is formed, to continue to update the community on the formation of this entity," she said.

The remainder of the engagement period is open to field comments and questions from the community by contacting Six Nations Economic Development.