The ground breaking for a Renewable Natural Gas facility in Fruitvale was originally planned to take place two years ago, but a shovel has yet to hit the dirt.
REN Energy announced the plant to covert wood waste in Nov of 2022, shortly after the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary fast-tracked approval for the project.
The company’s news release at that time called the plan ground breaking.
“This innovative project features a unique combination of existing technology being used for the first time in North America and will reduce emissions from British Columbia’s expansive forestry sector,” it stated.
“Once operational, significant new volumes of RNG will be purchased by FortisBC and injected into its gas system for use by its customers,” it added.
RDKB Area-A Director Ali Grieve says she has been making inquires to REN as to why the project is delayed.
“I did reach out to them just a couple of days ago, asking for an update and hopefully I hear something soon, but I’ve done that once in the past and didn’t get any update over a year ago,” she explained.
Grieve also wonders why a community meeting about the project never took place.
“We did talk to REN Energy about coming into Fruitvale for a town hall meeting to tell us more details about the project, to tell us about job opportunities and to tell us about timelines, they certainly did agree to that but unfortunately we haven’t had an update from them for quite some time,” Grieve stated.
Although local officials are still waiting to hear from REN about the Beaver Valley facility, FortisBC indicates the project is still a go.
“As a future supplier of RNG (Renewable Natural Gas), REN Energy and FortisBC are in communication about the project,” stated Diana Sorace, Senior Advisor, Corporate Communications.
“As of now, REN has indicated the project is still going ahead, however, the completion date is unclear,” she added.
Grieve and other local officials have only one request, please keep us in the loop.
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