Indigenous leaders want more info on power plans – Petrolia Lambton Independent

January 22, 2025

The Chiefs of Aamjiwnaang and Walpole Island First Nations are waiting to hear more information before showing their support for a potential new power facility in nearby St. Clair Township.

“I need to be sure that all environmental protection is in place, best available technology is there — even before it gets to the community to be able to have a say in that,” Aamjiwnaang Chief Janelle Nahmabin said of the recent announcement that the province is exploring sites for energy generation, including the former Lambton Generating Station (LGS) in Courtright. “Ultimately, from my perspective from Aamjiwnaang, it comes down to the community’s position on that.”

Minister of Energy and Electrification Stephen Lecce was in Sarnia-Lambton earlier this month to gauge opinion on the prospective project, and stopped by Nahmabin’s office for a brief visit to discuss it, along with Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey, she said.

While nuclear energy has been at the forefront of the conversation, Lecce did not confirm that, or rule out other possibilities, including natural gas, hydrogen or battery storage.