THUNDER BAY – BUSINESS – The Red Rock Indian Band and TransCanada have signed a Letter of Intent to establish a formal working group that will discuss the electricity requirements to power the Energy East Pipeline project on the traditional territory of the Red Rock First Nation in Northwestern Ontario. The agreement allows for discussions on the feasibility of providing electricity transmission for the Energy East Project and for the first time in the community.
“Red Rock has had a long-standing and respectful relationship with TransCanada dating back to when the gas pipeline was built on our reserve lands,” said Chief Pierre Pelletier, of the Red Rock Indian Band. “With today’s agreement, Energy East has once again demonstrated this mutual respect by engaging in a respectful dialogue, allowing us to share information and work toward a meaningful, long-term economic benefit to my community.”
In March 2015, the Red Rock Indian Band met with TransCanada to discuss electricity requirements and expressed interest in the potential to collaborate with Energy East to explore potential electrical infrastructure opportunities in the region. In August of 2015 the working group, known as the Energy Partnership Working Group (EPWG), was formed through the new agreement and consists of representatives from Red Rock and the Energy East project to review two new transmission line projects with the potential to provide electricity for the Eagle Head pump station and to the community itself.
“Today’s agreement with Red Rock is a critical step forward in allowing us to explore electricity transmission solutions in support of Energy East, and the Red Rock community itself. I want to express our continued commitment to work collaboratively on issues of common interest with First Nation communities along our route and thank Chief Pelletier for his leadership in achieving today’s agreement,” said Francois Poirier, President, Energy East Pipeline.
This agreement provides the first steps to a long-term economic opportunity for transmission projects in the region. TransCanada is committed to working collaboratively in discussions with the community, the Ontario government and other stakeholders to help advance this opportunity.
