Scrap wood fibre in the Rainy River district could get a new life, thanks to a partnership working towards a green fuel production facility.
Ten First Nations in the Rainy River District near Fort Frances have joined forces to create ground-breaking Wanagekong-Biiwega’iganan Clean Energy Corporation (WBCEC). In partnership with Highbury Energy Inc., a Vancouver-based clean energy innovator, the initiative aims to transform wood waste—including bark, sawdust, and logging debris—into low-carbon transportation fuels.
The founding Ten First Nations, whose traditional territories span the Boundary Waters Forest include: Anishinaabeg of Naongashiing (Big Island FN); Big Grassy; Couchiching; Gakijiwanong Anishinaabe Nation (formerly Lac La Croix); Mitaanjigamiing; Naicatchewenin; Nigigoonsiminikaaning; Onigaming; Rainy River First Nations; Seine River.
The corporation is currently engaging with industry stakeholders such as Boundary Waters Forest Management Corporation, West Fraser OSB, Manitou Forest Products, Nickel Lake Lumber, and Resolute Forest Products (Sapawe Sawmill) to secure local wood waste as feedstock for a proposed biorefinery in Fort Frances.
Howard Hampton is part of the legal firm representing the group. He says the facility is more than just an idea – it is now 19 months in the making, with a goal of securing capital funding in the spring, to break ground late next year.
The facility will be situated near the CN line, he said.
Chief Janice Henderson of Mitaanjigamiing First Nation, who also serves as President of WBCEC and Boundary Waters Forest First Nations Clean Energy Corporation, emphasized the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions. “Transportation companies, railways, airlines, and heavy truck operators are increasingly seeking low-carbon fuel sources to meet stricter emissions regulations. Our proposed biorefinery could sustainably produce 20 million liters of low-carbon fuels annually using regional wood waste, offering both environmental benefits and competitive pricing for these sectors.”
“This is a great announcement for a whole bunch of reasons. It is also another example of how the people of Northwestern Ontario will continue to benefit from the green transition.”-Marcus Powlowski, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Rainy River.
Highbury Energy Inc. will bring its cutting-edge, patented technology to the project—an innovation developed over nearly two decades of research and development at the University of British Columbia’s Clean Energy Research Centre. Founded in 2006, the centre emerged in response to critical findings from NASA and the World Meteorological Organization linking fossil fuel emissions to global warming. Highbury’s technology has been rigorously designed to convert wood waste and other materials into high-quality, low-carbon fuels, positioning it as a leader in Canada’s clean energy transition.
This initiative aligns with similar projects Highbury Energy is involved in, including one in British Columbia that can replace natural gas with a clean renewable fuel gas in a pulp mill lime-kiln, further underscoring its commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
