BIOMASS Volume 22 No. 4 CANADIAN Local buy-in Biomass is often by the community, for the community “ he community and company suc-ceed or fail together.” This is a quote from Roger Keery, owner of Skeena Bioenergy and Skeena Sawmills – a pellet plant and sawmill in Terrace, B.C. He was speaking about the importance of communities at the 2022 Wood Pellet Association of Canada con-ference, held in Vancouver in September. (Read our coverage on page 12.) Keery noted candidly that sometimes business decisions are made for the EHQHÀW RI WKH FRPPXQLW\ and not the bottom line. And every business deci-sion requires a balance. That rings true across much of the Canadian bio-economy. Smaller biomass projects are often driven by concerned community members looking for a more environmentally friendly solu-tion. Larger projects and companies are staffed by invested community members and, as in Skeena’s case, owned by com-munity members too. Without buy-in from community, these projects would never get off the ground. And when they do get off the ground, they’re helping lower energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions, or developing new, bio-based alternatives to plastics. And they’re all contributing, in their own way, to a healthier climate. But the bottom line can’t be ignored. :LWKRXWSURÀW�f;WKHVHFRPSDQLHVZRXOGQ·W exist and wouldn’t be contributing in their small way. The balance is essential. Keery spoke on a panel dedicated to talk of strong communities and local economic develop. He was joined by Di-ane Collins, general manager of Kitsum-kalum Economic Development Group, Biomass, Bioenergy and Bioproducts Reader Service Print and digital subscription inquiries or changes, please contact Serina Dingeldein, Audience Development Manager Tel: 416-510-5124 Fax: 416-510-6875 email: [email protected] Mail: 1 1 1 Gordon Baker Rd., Suite 400 Toronto, ON M2H 3R1 Managing Editor -Maria Church (226) 931-1396 [email protected] T which includes companies that partner with Skeena and other forest industry players. Collins made it clear that Indigenous values like those of the Kitsumkalum that focus on full use of the resource, should be embraced by the wider forest industry. The Nation has developed a logistic park that Collins said merges WKHLUYDOXHVZLWKHIÀFLHQF\�f; the best example of which is in their partnership with Skeena. “That’s the space where reconciliation really begins,” she said. This form of reconcilia-ISLAND tion seems to go unnoticed ENERGY by urban dwellers (and vot-ers) in our provinces. ALSO The term social license was brought up more than a few times at the pellet conference. Large, well-funded envi-ronmental groups have long taken issue with what they see as the purposeful har-vesting of old-growth forests in B.C. for bioenergy. Despite the inherent economic contradiction in that, the industry strug-gles to have their message heard in a way that would set the record straight. But, as communications consultant Karen Brandt advised the WPAC audi-ence, “don’t get stuck on the hamster wheel” of correcting misinformation for a larger audience – one that is rarely pre-pared to listen. Instead, she said, focus on doing the right things for your communi-ty and business.• Fall 2022 canadianbiomassmagazine.ca Contributors -Gordon Murray, J.P. Antonacci, Joel E. Dulin and Ian Thomson Group Publisher -Anne Beswick [email protected] Ph: (416) 410-5248 Mobile: 416-277-8428 Account Coordinator -Shannon Drumm Ph: (416) 510-6762 [email protected] National Sales Manager -Rebecca Lewis Ph: (519) 429-5196 [email protected] Quebec Sales -Josée Crevier Ph: (514) 425-0025 Fax: (514) 425-0068 [email protected] Western Sales Manager -Tim Shaddick [email protected] Ph: (604) 264-1 158 Fax: (604) 264-1367 Media Designer -Emily Sun COO -Scott Jamieson Canadian Biomass is published four times a year: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Published and printed by Annex Business Media. Publication Mail Agreement # 40065710 Printed in Canada ISSN 2290-3097 Subscription Rates: Canada -1 Yr $57.00; 2 Yr $102.00 Single Copy -$9.00 (Canadian prices do not include applicable taxes) USA – 1 Yr $121.50 CDN; Foreign – 1 Yr $138.00 CDN Annex Privacy Officer [email protected] Tel: 800-668-2374 Occasionally, Canadian Biomass magazine will mail information on behalf of industry-related groups whose products and services we believe may be of interest to you. If you prefer not to receive this information, please contact our circulation department in any of the four ways listed above. No part of the editorial content of this publication may be reprinted without the publisher’s written permission ©2022 Annex Business Media, All rights reserved. Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. No liability is assumed for errors or omissions. All advertising is subject to the publisher’s approval. Such approval does not imply any endorsement of the products or services advertised. Publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising that does not meet the standards of the publication. BioFlame Briquettes expands Vancouver Island operation Anaergia offers turn-key solutions Practical advice on conveyor explosion venting www.canadianbiomassmagazine.ca 4 Canadian BIOMASS FALL 2022
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