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Western Biomass, Tsilhqot’in spearhead joint venture

VANCOUVER, B.C. — Run of River Power Inc. (ROR Power) announced earlier this month its First Nation partners, the Tsilhqot'in National Government (TNG), has been awarded approximately $340,000 in federal funding to develop a bioenergy joint venture proposed for Hanceville, BC.

"Supporting this project is a no-brainer," said Dick Harris, Member of Parliament for Cariboo-Prince George. "Not only will it help to dispose of dead pine trees, but it's also a great economic development project to provide funding for (Tsilhqot'in) communities."

Harris made the announcement at a ceremony in Williams Lake, BC, where he said the award aims to assist in the development of the Tsilhqot'in Power Project. The Project is being advanced by Tsilhqot'in Power Corporation, a joint venture equally held by TNG and Western Biomass Power Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of ROR Power.

The Project's design calls for electricity production via steam-powered turbines, with fuel consisting of timber damaged by the mountain pine beetle. The plant is to have a rated capacity of 60 megawatts, generating 420 gigawatt hours of electricity per year.

"The production and sale of electricity is a key component of the First Nations' objective of becoming self sufficient," said Joe Alphonse, a TNG Chief. The funding will improve the viability and competitiveness of the joint venture's bioenergy proposal to BC Hydro in the upcoming second phase of the utility's Bioenergy Call, he added.

"The Tsilhqot'in Power Project will play an important role in improving the economic prospects of communities that are reliant on the forest industry," said Jako Krushnisky, President and CEO of ROR Power. "Bioenergy development is also a key component of ROR Power's business development plan and we're very excited about TNG receiving the funding to advance the Project."

The funding is provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada under the Community Economic Diversification Initiative, a component of the federal Mountain Pine Beetle Program.

ROR Power develops renewable, sustainable energy through its portfolio of run-of-river and biomass projects in BC. The Company operates an Eco Logo certified hydroelectric power generation station at Brandywine Creek, near Whistler, BC. Tsilhqot'in Power Corporation is equally owned and managed by TNG and Western Biomass Power Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of ROR Power.

August 31, 2009  By Newswire



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