Kingsvale Electricity Transmission Line Successfully Energized

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On August 31, 2020, the Kingsvale Electricity Transmission line, located south of Merritt in the Nicola Valley, British Columbia, was successfully energized. With this milestone, Valard Construction LP (Valard) and the Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corp. (LNIBDC) will begin operating and maintaining the Kingsvale Electricity Transmission Line, as partners.

The 138-kV transmission line connects to BC Hydro’s distribution line to provide additional power to Trans Mountain’s existing Kingsvale pump station, as well as to a new Kingsvale pump station, as part of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project.

“We are excited about the energization of this transmission line – it marks an important step towards this project being the first electricity transmission line to be majority-owned, operated, maintained and financed by an Indigenous group in Canada. We look forward to the economic benefits this project provides as well as continuing to build a relationship with Trans Mountain and our partner Valard that is based upon on trust, respect and teamwork” says Stuart Jackson, Chair of LNIBDC.

“We are very proud of this milestone for LNIBDC, Valard, and Trans Mountain. This has been a very unique partnership, and LNIBDC will benefit tremendously through the operation and maintenance of the Kingsvale Electricity Transmission Line. As we move forward with the Expansion Project, we are proud to be creating partnerships for Indigenous communities and are committed to making a positive impact in the communities where we build and operate” says Ian Anderson, President, and CEO of Trans Mountain.

“I would like to congratulate and thank each and every employee, contractor, and partner that contributed to the safe and successful completion of this project! We cherish the relationships we form on all of our projects, but we’re especially pleased with the one we have with LNIBDC and we plan to cultivate and grow it well into the future” says Barkley Adams, President & CEO, Valard Group of Companies.

Valard Construction, a Quanta Services company, is Canada’s premier utility contractor, as well as head of the Valard Group of Companies. Valard has full-service capabilities for transmission, distribution, substations, foundations, telecommunications, and renewable energy.

Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corp. Will Own and Operate the New Kingsvale Electricity Transmission Line

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Partnership with Trans Mountain and Valard Construction will Create New Economic Opportunities

The Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corporation (LNIBDC) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a partnership with Trans Mountain and Valard Construction LP (Valard) to build, own, operate and maintain the new 24-kilometre Kingsvale Electricity Transmission Line that will run through the Lower Nicola Indian Band’s traditional territory.

The 138-kV transmission line will connect from BC Hydro’s distribution line and provide additional power to Trans Mountain’s existing Kingsvale pump station, as well as a new Kingsvale pump station, as part of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project.

“This will be the first electricity transmission line to be constructed, majority-owned, operated, maintained and financed by an Indigenous group in Canada. This project will provide valuable economic benefits to the Lower Nicola Indian Band,” says Kevin Ainsworth, General Manager of LNIBDC.

LNIBDC holds a majority interest in partnership with Valard and has negotiated a 20-year contract with Trans Mountain Canada Inc. to construct the transmission line and interconnection to BC Hydro, as well as own, operate and maintain the line, with the potential of renewing the contract for an additional 20 years.

“We are proud to partner with LNIB and Valard on this unique project, which will provide direct and lasting economic opportunities. We are committed to ensuring that Indigenous communities share in the benefits of the Expansion Project and the partnerships we are creating are based on trust, respect and collaboration,” says Ian Anderson, President and CEO of Trans Mountain Corporation.

“We are extremely pleased to be the selected partner in this exciting project. Valard looks forward to working directly with LNIB, Trans Mountain and local Community partners through all phases of this project in support of local economic opportunities and development,” says Barkley Adams, CEO of Valard.

Construction of the transmission line will commence in a series of phased activities along the utility right-of-way through Kingsvale beginning no sooner than February 2020 and is expected to be completed by August 2020.

LNIBDC and its partner Valard will start operating and maintaining the Kingsvale Electricity Transmission Line when construction is completed on behalf of Trans Mountain for a minimum of a year. The transfer of ownership will occur after a separate regulatory process has been completed.

Valard Construction, a Quanta Services company, is Canada’s premier utility contractor, as well as head of the Valard Group of Companies. Valard has full-service capabilities for transmission, distribution, substations, foundations, telecommunications and renewable energy. www.valard.com

 

Contacts:
Kevin Ainsworth, General Manager
LNIB Development Corporation
604-763-1844

Steve Sousa,
Chief Commercial Officer
Valard Construction
403-279-1003

2020-02-27 For Immediate Release – LNIB Development Corp New Kingsvale Electricity Transmission Line

The Lower Nicola Indian Band makes history today as it establishes itself as a leading business entity in British Columbia’s energy sector.

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August 1, 2018, Vancouver B.C. ­— Lower Nicola Site Services (LNSS), a limited partnership between the Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corp. and Vancouver-based construction company, Infracon, announced today the purchase of Ogilvie Mountain Holdings.

Ogilvie Mountain Holdings is an established pipeline integrity and right-of-way management services company based in Hope, B.C. successfully servicing clients such as Kinder Morgan and Spectra/Enbridge for nearly 25 years.

“This is a real first for us. It’s going to create a lot of opportunity – to build capacity, create jobs and provide training, as well as to forge strong relationships with government, industry and other stakeholders, including neighbouring First Nations groups,” says Lower Nicola Indian Band Chief, Aaron Sumexheltza.

Recognized as an emerging leader in pipeline maintenance and right-of-way services, Ogilvie Mountain Holdings offers a full suite of services centered around pipeline integrity, maintenance and capital projects with a broad service territory that incorporates traditional Nlaka’pamux First Nation lands, including those of the Lower Nicola Indian Band.

As chair of the Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corp., Chief Sumexheltza, who is a lawyer, will be taking an active leadership role in Ogilvie Mountain Holdings.

“Our mandate is to take a proactive, hands-on approach to ensure that our environment is cared for both now and for future generations. Our ownership of Ogilvie gives us an opportunity to take action, rather than just talk about it.  We are keen on a leadership role in the energy sector and maintaining the integrity of the Enbridge and Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipelines for generations to come” says Chief Sumexheltza.

Chief Sumexheltza brings to the table a multi-faceted skill set.  He holds degrees in both Law and Environmental Studies and sits on several environmentally focused boards.

Established in 2016 as a limited partnership between Infracon and LNIB Development Corp., Lower Nicola Site Services currently has various mining and construction projects ongoing in the Thompson/Nicola Valley. Ogilvie Mountain Holdings will be the partnership’s latest and largest business collaboration and acquisition.

“This is a historic acquisition in B.C.,” says Dennis Wilson, president and CEO of Infracon, adding that the LNSS partnership brings together diverse and powerful skill sets. “We believe that collaboration with First Nations, and their communities is crucial towards establishing economic, social and environmental wellness in Canada.”

Wilson says that the future vision for Ogilvie Mountain Holdings includes expanding its suite of clients and scope of services to include new pipeline construction and capital projects, as well as broadening the service territory.

“We are already in negotiations with new clients and are starting to move further north into the province,” says Wilson. “We look forward to growing the business and providing opportunities in the Nlaka’pamux region for current and future generations.”

For more information, please contact:

Dennis Wilson                                                               Chief Aaron Sumexheltza

President & CEO                                                           Chair

Infracon                                                                        LNIB Development Corp.

dwilson@infracon.com                                                  aaron.sumexheltza@lnib.net

604.999.9142                                                                 250.315.7563

ABOUT LNSS: Established in 2016 as a limited partnership between Infracon and LNIB Development Corp., LNSS takes a unique approach, which includes three key facets – training, employment and mentorship, procurement and social investment. Current and past projects include contracts with Teck Highland Valley Copper, vegetation management services for Kinder Morgan, emergency flood mitigation for the province in Lower Nicola and Merritt, along with various construction projects with B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Ogilvie Mountain Holdings is the partnership’s latest of many future business collaborations.  www.lnss.ca

ABOUT INFRACON: Infracon is a progressive, fully integrated construction service provider with offices in Vancouver, Merritt, Kamloops, Dawson Creek, Calgary and Saskatoon. It is committed to establishing and maintaining meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships with First Nations groups through partnerships, joint ventures, and working agreements. www.infracon.com

ABOUT THE LOWER NICOLA INDIAN BAND (LNIB): Part of the Nlaka’pamux Nation, the 1,250 member-strong LNIB is located in Lower Nicola, adjacent to Merritt, B.C. Its business arm – the LNIB Development Corp. has spearheaded several economic development ventures including Shulus Farms, Shulus Forest Enterprises and Lower Nicola Site Services. www.lnib.net

ABOUT OGILVIE MOUNTAIN HOLDINGS (OMH): Base in Hope, British Columbia, OMH services clients such as Kinder Morgan and Spectra/Enbridge with a variety of services such as pipeline integrity digs, cut-outs, booster station site preparation, facility upgrades, NACE certified coatings, abrasive blasting, contaminated soil reclamations, steep slope excavations and creek crossing programs with no safety or environmental incidents.  Going forward, OMH’s strategic plan includes expansion through its new ownership model, while continuing to achieve the highest standards of service.  www.ogilviemountain.com