First Nation Takes Majority Stake in BC Sustainable Aviation Fuel Plant

PRINCE GEORGE, BC – March 16, 2026 – A landmark agreement is charting a new course for Canada’s clean energy future, placing Indigenous economic sovereignty at its core. Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. has entered into a strategic partnership framework with Tano T’enneh Enterprises (TTE), the economic arm of the Lheidli T’enneh Nation, to develop a major sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facility in British Columbia.

The proposed facility, dubbed Project Nexus, is not just another green infrastructure project. It is designed from the ground up with a foundational principle of majority Indigenous ownership, a model that could redefine large-scale project development across the country. Under the non-binding agreement, TTE, representing the Lheidli T’enneh, could hold up to a 51% stake in the facility, which would be built on land acquired by the Nation within its ancestral territory.

“We are pleased to be working with TTE toward a sustainable aviation fuel facility in British Columbia. Majority Indigenous ownership is a foundational principle of this partnership, and we look forward to advancing the Project through the next stages of development,” said Ryan C. Jackson, CEO of Cielo, in a statement.

This partnership represents a potential convergence of two national priorities: decarbonizing the hard-to-abate aviation sector and advancing economic reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

A New Blueprint for Economic Sovereignty

For the Lheidli T’enneh Nation, whose name means “The People Where the Two Rivers Flow Together,” this project represents a significant step in a long journey of resilience and self-determination. Historically displaced and impacted by industrial development at the confluence of the Fraser and Nechako rivers, the Nation has been proactively reclaiming its role as stewards and economic drivers in its territory.

Through its development arm, Tano T’enneh Enterprises, the Nation has pursued ventures that align economic prosperity with cultural values and environmental stewardship. The partnership on Project Nexus is a testament to this modern approach.

“From our very first conversation with Cielo, it was clear this was a different kind of partnership. One built on genuine respect, shared values, and a commitment to long-term benefit for our Nation,” stated Evan Salter, CEO of Tano T’enneh Enterprises. “This project has the potential to create real jobs, real revenue, and a lasting legacy for Lheidli T’enneh. We are excited to get to work.”

The proposed structure moves beyond traditional consultation or revenue-sharing models. With majority ownership, the Lheidli T’enneh would have a decisive voice in the project's governance, direction, and long-term benefits. TTE is expected to lead land access, government relations, Indigenous financing pathways, and workforce development, ensuring the project is deeply integrated into the community’s future.

Fueling Canada’s Green Skies

Project Nexus enters the scene at a critical moment for Canada’s climate ambitions. The federal government’s Aviation Climate Action Plan has set an ambitious target for 10% of all jet fuel to be sustainable by 2030. With domestic aviation projected to consume over 10 billion litres of fuel by then, this translates to a need for over 1 billion litres of SAF annually. Currently, Canada produces virtually no SAF, relying on expensive imports for what little it uses.

This vast gap between ambition and reality creates a significant market opportunity, but it is fraught with challenges. SAF production is technologically complex and costs three to ten times more than conventional jet fuel. Cielo Waste Solutions, a company that has been working on waste-to-fuel technologies for over a decade, is approaching Project Nexus with a revised strategy.

After facing previous challenges in commercializing its own proprietary technology, the company is now pursuing a “technology agnostic” approach. This involves integrating “best-in-class, commercially proven solutions” tailored to specific feedstocks, which for Project Nexus will include difficult waste streams like woody biomass and creosote-treated railway ties. This strategic pivot from technology development to project integration aims to de-risk the execution and accelerate the path to commercial operation.

A Complex Financial Flight Plan

The vision for Project Nexus is ambitious, and its financial structure is necessarily complex, designed to leverage a suite of public and private funding mechanisms. The partnership is a case study in modern project finance for the green transition, aiming to stack various incentives to make the high cost of SAF production economically viable.

The framework agreement outlines a plan to explore a mosaic of funding sources. This includes tapping into British Columbia’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (BC LCFS) incentives, which from 2026 will require reductions in the carbon intensity of jet fuel. Federal support is also crucial, with the partners looking toward the Canada Infrastructure Bank, the government’s $1.5 billion Clean Fuels Fund, and various investment tax credits.

Critically, the project’s Indigenous-led structure unlocks access to specialized financing streams. Indigenous loan guarantee programs and institutions like the First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA) could play a pivotal role. These programs are designed to lower the cost of capital for First Nations and enable participation in major infrastructure projects that might otherwise be out of reach.

While the agreement announced today is a non-binding framework, it lays the groundwork for the intensive work ahead. The next steps involve detailed feasibility studies, front-end engineering and design (FEED), and the negotiation of definitive agreements covering land tenure, financing, and governance. The project’s ultimate success hinges on navigating these complex commercial negotiations, securing regulatory approvals, and making a final investment decision in a market that is still in its infancy. infancy. The journey toward fueling jets with recycled waste is long, but for the Lheidli T’enneh Nation and Cielo, the flight plan is now officially filed.