Overview of the Socioeconomic Impacts of Renewable Ocean Energy Development on the BC Coast

Socio-economics: Joseph, C. and T. Gunton (2008)

School of Resource and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University.

Download: 177.pdf

In British Columbia and throughout Canada there is growing interest in the development of renewable ocean energy projects (ROE) that rely on tidal, wave, and wind energy. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has commissioned this report to:

• review the socio-economic impacts of ROE development and the mitigation measures that can be used to address these impacts;

• identify key knowledge gaps;

• describe the scale of ROE resources of the BC coast;

• describe the extent of planned ROE development on the BC coast;

• scope potential socio-economic impacts of ROE development on the coastal communities and First Nations of the BC coast;

• identify ROE industry best practices; and

• describe the institutional structure and approvals process for ROE on the BC coast.

This report covers these topics and is based upon a literature review and telephone interviews with key stakeholders and experts. Socio-economic impacts are defined as those impacts that affect cultural, economic, and social well-being. Environmental impacts are discussed only to the extent that they are relevant to analyzing socioeconomic impacts.