Some groups in northern British Columbia, including First Nations and conservationists, are expressing worries about the potential impacts of a project aiming to link the Yukon to British Columbia’s power grid. The Yukon government has projected significant economic growth of up to $7.6 billion annually, the creation of 36,000 jobs, and the electrification of six diesel-dependent communities through the Yukon-B.C. grid connect initiative. This plan involves the installation of an 800-kilometre high-voltage transmission line between the Yukon and northern British Columbia.
The current strain on Yukon’s grid, which is not interconnected with the broader North American grid, has led territorial officials to view the grid connect project as a potential solution for meeting local power demands. Nikki Skuce, who serves as the director of the B.C. environmental organization Northern Confluence, expressed conditional support for the project, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the Yukon residents and decentralized energy systems. Skuce highlighted the rich biodiversity of northern British Columbia and raised concerns about the environmental impact of introducing new transmission infrastructure and access roads, potentially fueling a rush for critical minerals extraction.
The Yukon Development Corporation has identified 19 mining projects that could benefit from the grid connection, including expansions and revitalization efforts such as the Red Chris mine expansion and Eskay Creek project in British Columbia, as well as the Kudz Ze Kayah, Casino, and Mactung projects in the Yukon. The project is currently in the pre-feasibility stage, with funding 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, sees the project as a means to open up isolated areas to economic opportunities and potential mining ventures. However, Teegee expressed concerns about the implications of increased development on local water quality and ecosystems, noting the significance of these areas to Indigenous communities. In northern British Columbia’s Lower Post community, which heavily relies on diesel-generated power from nearby Watson Lake, Yukon, Deputy Chief Harlan Schilling sees the grid connect project as a chance to improve grid stability, address power outages, create jobs, and establish partnerships.
Schilling envisions numerous economic possibilities arising from the project, emphasizing the importance of self-reliance for Indigenous communities in leading nationally significant projects. He highlighted the early involvement of Indigenous leaders in project discussions, emphasizing the need for community input in decision-making processes. Teegee echoed the sentiment, recognizing the potential benefits for First Nations communities in transitioning away from diesel energy but also acknowledging the need for careful consideration of the project’s potential environmental impacts and associated costs.