Burns Lake bioenergy plant deal inked; project still needs to secure wood fibre

The Lakes District Native Economic Development Corporation, the Burns Lake Band and Pristine Power have signed an agreement meant to pave the way for the development of a bioenergy plant near Burns Lake.
The proposed $110-million plant is in the very early development stages and needs, firstly, to win a bid as part of B.C. Hydro's second call for bioenergy projects.
The proposed Ditni Yoh project 30-megawatt bioenergy plant also needs to secure about 200,000 tonnes of wood fibre each year. As a result, the Lakes District Native Economic Development Corp. will be applying for an area-based wood fibre licence from the province to provide a source of fibre for the plant.
"Our agreement sets a clear path for the Ditni Yoh bioenergy project and we are proud to be involved with the First Nations of the Lakes District Native Development Corp.," said Harvie Campbell, a senior executive with Pristine Power.
It's expected B.C. Hydro's second call for bioenergy projects will be issued before the end of the year or early 2010.
Pristine Power announced in 2007 it was seeking to build 15 bioenergy plants through northern and Interior B.C. It is also a partner in the proposed $225-million bioenergy plant in Mackenzie.
None of these projects have been built.
In B.C. Hydro's first bioenergy call, a bioenergy project in Prince George received the green light. However, PG Interior Waste to Energy Ltd.'s proposed $50-million project has also not gotten off the ground.
ghoekstra@pgcitizen.ca