Six First Nations communities are receiving $1.15 million for clean energy projects as part of a funding partnership between the Government of British Columbia, the Government of Canada and the New Relationship Trust.
“Through CleanBC, we are collaborating with New Relationship Trust and Western Economic Diversification Canada on the British Columbia Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative (BCICEI) to support First Nations-led clean energy and energy efficiency projects,” said Bruce Ralston, B.C.’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. “Together, we are providing important funding to Indigenous communities throughout B.C. to develop projects that will help them achieve energy independence, support economic development and reduce reliance on diesel.”
The six projects include the following:
- Tlingit Homeland Energy Ltd. Partnership in Atlin is receiving $250,000 for work on a hydro energy generation upgrade project;
- Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government in Nemiah Valley, Williams Lake is receiving $250,000 for a solar micro-grid connection project;
- Lhoosk’uz Déné in Kluskus Lake is receiving $300,000 for a combined heat and power biomass project;
- Dease River First Nation in Good Hope Lake is receiving $50,000 for a biomass feasibility study;
- Tobacco Plains Indian Band in Grasmere is receiving $150,000 for a solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage installation; and
- Lower Nicola Indian Band in Merritt is receiving $150,000 for a solar PV installation.
Funding from the BCICEI supports the planning of clean energy generation projects, such as hydro, wind, biomass, solar, marine and geothermal projects. The BCICEI also targets energy efficiency projects and energy storage, specifically seeking to assist remote communities wherever possible in reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
For further information about these projects, click here.
Feature image: Located just over 170 kilometres west of Quesnel, the Lhoosk’uz Dene Nation is receiving funds for a combined heat and biomass project.
(Credit: Lhoosk’uz Dene Nation Facebook)
