Job training, joint ventures with industry and exploration of clean energy developments are some of the opportunities being pursued by 14 Aboriginal communities across B.C. through a total of $510,000 from the second round of the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund.

Five communities will receive $30,000 each for community energy planning. This funding will help these communities to study how they currently use energy and look at possible alternative energy options for the future. Nine communities will receive $40,000 each for feasibility studies and development work on a range of projects, including run-of-river, biomass and geothermal projects.

Quick Facts:

* The First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund was created to support First Nations and new power projects, with an initial contribution of $5 million from B.C.

* Over time, the fund is expected to receive additional revenue from new power projects based on a percentage of land and water rentals.

* The first intake of the fund was announced in July 2011, with 16 Aboriginal communities benefiting from a total of $850,000 in funding.

* The First Nations Clean Energy Business fund promotes increased First Nation participation in the clean energy sector through:

• Revenue-sharing from eligible clean energy projects based on revenues derived from water rentals and land rents.
• Equity funding of up to $500,000 for First Nations to invest in clean energy projects.
• Capacity development funding of up to $50,000 to support First Nations with community energy planning, feasibility studies or engagement with private sector proponents of clean energy projects.

Learn More:

For more information about the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund and how to apply, please call toll-free 1 800 880-1022 or visit: http://www.gov.bc.ca/arr/economic/fncebf.html

A backgrounder follows, detailing the 14 projects receiving funding.

Contact:

Maria Wilkie
Communications Director
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 953-3211

BACKGROUNDER

Nov. 18, 2011 Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation

First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund - second round of funding

Chawathil First Nation (near Hope)

Funding: $30,000 for Community Energy Planning capacity funding

Purpose: Develop capacity, assess the potential for developing alternative energy projects, and develop a strategic energy plan for pursuing their vision for a green energy future.

In-SHUCK-ch Nation (Lillooet River Valley)

Funding: $30,000 for Community Energy Planning capacity funding

Purpose: Complete community vision and energy planning, define the internal business plan and update the community's power planning.

Lower Kootenay Indian Band (near Creston)

Funding: $30,000 for Community Energy Planning capacity funding

Purpose: First stage of the community's involvement within the clean energy sector. This funding will be used to help them identify clean energy projects within the band's reserve and stewardship lands and to perform a preliminary feasibility assessment on the most promising project opportunities.

Tit'q'et First Nation (near Lillooet)

Funding: $30,000 for Community Energy Planning capacity funding

Purpose: Assist in the development of a community energy business plan that will allow the First Nation to develop alternative energy projects within their traditional territory and create new economic and employment opportunities for their people.

Xeni Gwet'in First Nation Government (Nemiah Valley)

Funding: $30,000 for Community Energy Planning capacity funding

Purpose: Examine energy efficiency opportunities, clean energy opportunities and collaborative opportunities for energy reliance. The funding will be used to complete Community Energy Planning for the Xeni Gwet'in and Yunesit'in communities.

Gitwinkishlkw - Nisga'a Village (Nass Valley)

Funding: $40,000 for Feasibility/Project Development capacity building

Purpose: Complete a geothermal assessment and develop the options for the business development/business plan.

Kelly Lake Métis (southwest of Dawson Creek)

Funding: $40,000 for Feasibility/Project Development capacity building

Purpose: Use the data from a completed feasibility study to finalize a business and deployment plan for a biomass and waste-to-energy facility.

Lil'wat Nation/Mt. Currie (near Lillooet)

Funding: $40,000 for Feasibility/Project Development capacity building

Purpose: Complete a feasibility study and provide all of the necessary information for the development of a community owned run-of-river micro-hydro power project producing approximately 5.8MW of electricity.

Simpcw First Nation (near Barriere)

Funding: $40,000 for Feasibility/Project Development capacity building

Purpose: Complete the feasibility study of a run-of-river micro-hydro project and potential partnership with an industry proponent and secure an equity position within the project.

Shuswap Indian Band (near Invermere)

Funding: $40,000 for Feasibility/Project Development capacity building

Purpose: Perform technical and financial reviews and summaries to assess the Beaver River Hydro Complex project and assess the opportunity of developing a joint venture leading to the design, construction and operation of a project in partnership with the current project proponent.

Sts'ailes First Nation (near Agassiz)

Funding: $40,000 for Feasibility/Project Development capacity building

Purpose: Train First Nation members on the systems and protocols needed to monitor the construction activities for six power projects that will be built over the next few years and maximize economic benefits for the community, including pursuing joint ventures with local businesses.

T'Sou-ke First Nation (Sooke)

Funding: $40,000 for Feasibility/Project Development capacity building

Purpose: Complete a report that analyzes the environmental and economic feasibility impacts of installing an anaerobic digester as part of the band-operated wastewater treatment facility located on the T'Sou-ke First Nation land.

Tseshaht First Nation (near Port Alberni)

Funding: $40,000 for Feasibility/Project Development capacity building

Purpose: Complete a feasibility study and provide all of the necessary information for the development of the 4MW run-of-river micro-hydro power project.

Wei Wai Kai First Nation (Quadra Island)

Funding: $40,000 for Feasibility/Project Development capacity building

Purpose: Complete feasibility studies in the development of the Amor de Cosmos and Little Bear (Pye) Creek proposed run-of-river micro-hydro projects.

Contact:

Maria Wilkie
Communications Director
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 953-3211