City council delays decision on contentious river valley solar farm

A proposed solar farm in the river valley is in limbo following a hearing at city hall Wednesday.

Cultural and environmental concerns about the site had city council demanding more information before it will make a decision on the contentious Epcor project.

The $26-million, 23-hectare solar farm would be an expansion of the existing E.L. Smith Water Treatment Plant in southwest Edmonton. It would produce 20,000 MWh of local renewable energy annually using 45,000 solar panels.

“This land is an oasis. Knowledge keepers tell us it’s ecologically and culturally precious, so let’s encourage strong partnerships for the win,” Raquel Feroe, co-founder of the Solar Power Investment Co-operative of Edmonton, said at the public hearing.

The project no longer has the support of Enoch Cree Nation, which had initially backed the proposal, speakers told council. Archaeological work has uncovered what the First Nation believes is significant evidence that ceremonies were conducted at the proposed site.

“I think it is probably very unique, and the fact that they did find what could point to ceremonial items there shows that it was a very unique space and place,” said Rob Houle, a member of the Swan River First Nation, who also provided historical context. The project should be put on hold to explore how significant the site is to Indigenous people, he said.

“Here we have a proven and real Indigenous ceremonial site in the river valley that we are proposing to drill pilings into and eradicate for a solar panel installation. I think it requires further investigation,” said Houle.

Councillors also weighed the benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions with the project’s potential to disrupt parkland that’s home to birds, wildlife and nature trails.

But Feroe said the city doesn’t need to prioritize concern over climate change in favour of concern for wildlife.

“We also face an urgent biodiversity crisis. If I felt there was no alternative, I would be in support of this project,” she said.

The project needs to be relocated and redesigned, said Kristine Kowalchuck, chair of the Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition.

“We would love to see this project developed — for Epcor to work with local experts to come up with something that we can be proud of as a city.”

“It’s a great project — put it somewhere else,” said Charlie Richmond, urban issues co-ordinator in Edmonton for the Sierra Club Canada Foundation.

Council sent the proposal back to city administration to work with Epcor and Enoch Cree Nation to continue engagement activities and come back to another public hearing.

Council also asked administration and Epcor for a report on whether the location within the River Valley should be deemed essential.

“We support the motion and it’s our intent to continue with meaningful discussions with Enoch Cree Nation and other stakeholders in the project to find a solution,” Craig Bonneville, director of the E.L. Smith solar farm project, said after the hearing.