B.C.'s First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund (FNCEBF) is supporting another 12 projects, including a new biomass thermal heating system that will help a Kootenays-based First Nation reduce its energy payments and generate revenue, Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister Mary Polak announced today.

A total of $529,858 will support these 12 new projects, located in First Nations communities throughout the province. Since the first round of funding in 2011, the FNCEBF has provided nearly $2.5 million to 53 First Nations, for activities ranging from residential power consumption assessments to using wind energy to power the construction of an eco-tourism project.

For the St. Mary's Indian Band near Cranbrook, equity funding of $200,000 will support the construction and operation of a biomass thermal heating system using waste wood chips. It is expected the system eventually will power the entire community, replacing the current natural gas system and reducing thermal energy consumption.

Eleven other First Nations will receive funding ranging from $5,400 to $40,000 to help them carry out community energy planning, feasibility studies and engagement with energy proponents.

Funding for equity and capacity-building and feasibility/development projects helps to build economic independence for First Nations. FNCEBF funding also helps to generate jobs and provides opportunities that benefit First Nations and non-First Nations communities throughout B.C.

Quotes:

Mary Polak, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation -

"The First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund continues to bring social and economic benefits to First Nations families and the wider community. We have experienced significant interest in the fund since its inception, and I encourage other First Nations who are considering their own clean energy opportunities to come forward in future calls for applications."

Chief Cheryl Casimer, St. Mary's Indian Band -

"We are pleased to be the recipient of the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund. The fund fully supports our goals and objective within our community strategic plan specific to energy, infrastructure, and economic development. Just knowing that we are working toward minimizing our carbon footprint within our territory falls in line with our stewardship principles as First Nations people."

"District energy is a good fit in meeting our energy needs as it has multiple benefits, such as reducing biofuels within the territory, as well as opening up opportunities for economic development in the near future."

"We applaud the provincial government for supporting clean energy projects such as ours and look forward to their continued support over the lifespan of the project as the returns of this initiative benefit all British Columbians."

Quick Facts:

• Including the most recent May 2012 intake, the fund has provided almost $2.5 million to 53 Aboriginal communities throughout B.C. to support First Nations participation in the clean energy sector.

• This funding is from the fourth call for applications. The next intake of applications closes at the end of September 2012.

• 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 and to help communities attract further investment.

• 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.

• A Community Energy Plan is the initial step for a community to establish energy objectives, develop an overview of the community's current and projected energy demand, and to identify the pursuit of viable energy efficiency and clean energy development opportunities.

• The First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund was announced as part of the Clean Energy Act in 2010 and was created to support First Nations and new power projects with an initial contribution of $5 million from B.C.

• A percentage of land and water rentals generated by eligible projects will be returned to the fund with the goal of becoming self-revenue-generating in the future.

Learn More:

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

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contact:

Robin Platts
Communications Manager
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 387-1204
250 213-6451 (cell)

BACKGROUNDER

First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund - fourth round of funding

St. Mary's Indian Band (Cranbrook)

Funding: $200,000 equity funding

Purpose: To support the construction and operation of a biomass thermal heating system. Initially, the system will hook up two buildings with future plans to hook up the entire village. The project will remove the use of natural gas and decrease thermal energy payments to users. The band has more than 5,000 hectares of dense conifer forest. It proposes to supply the heating system with waste-wood chips. This also will provide the band with an opportunity to receive revenue through wood-chip delivery.

Heiltsuk First Nation (Bella Bella)

Funding: $30,000 for community energy planning capacity funding

Purpose: To determine potential clean energy opportunities and their economic, social and environment benefits to the community. Activities will include community workshops on local energy planning initiatives and needs, and the creation of a staged, five-year plan to help move forward their clean energy priorities.

Ahousaht First Nation (Ahousaht)

Funding: $30,000 for community energy planning capacity funding

Purpose: To determine potential clean energy projects to serve the needs of the expanding community.

Yunesit'in First Nation (Hanceville)

Funding: $15,000 for community energy planning capacity funding

Purpose: To allow the First Nation to determine whether residential power costs are too high and to find ways to reduce power costs for the Yunesit'in school. As part of its energy efficiency and clean energy feasibility study, the First Nation intends to conduct assessments of both residences and the school, and to assess the net benefits of installing a solar thermal or geo-exchange system for the school and health centre.

Tseshaht First Nation (Port Alberni)

Funding: $5,400 for a feasibility study

Purpose: To assess the potential for a small wind energy project to supply power to the first phase of construction of an eco-cultural tourism project on Keith Island.

Adams Lake Indian Band (Chase)

Funding: $9,758 for a feasibility study

Purpose: To assess the potential environmental and technical factors related to a potential pumped storage hydropower project between Star Lake and Little Shuswap.

Whispering Pines (Kamloops)

Funding: $39,700 for a feasibility study

Purpose: To develop a community-based, district energy system (DES) to be supplied by wood pellets and/or biomass wastes that will provide a long-term, secure supply of energy for the growing community. The First Nation also will complete a review of the potential for wind, solar and hydropower within its territory and will use both projects to educate youth on clean energy planning within the community.

Yale First Nation (Hope)

Funding: $40,000 for a feasibility study

Purpose: To assess the hydroelectric potential of Emory Creek with the aim of applying for a Crown tenure and water licence if the project is economically viable. Additionally, to install a hydrometric station to record one hydrologic year of average daily flows in the creek.

Council of the Haida Nation (Haida Gwaii)

Funding: $40,000 for a feasibility study

Purpose: To determine the potential for renewable energy and storage options for the Haida Gwaii southern grid, with a focus on wind and biomass energy conversion technologies and the possibility of using existing hydro reservoirs.

Shishalh First Nation (Sechelt)

Funding: $40,000 for a feasibility study

Purpose: To maximize employment and contracting opportunities on a project for the creation of five run-of-river power stations by listing the training and economic development opportunities available at each stage of the project. The First Nation plans to create an inventory of members and member-owned businesses that will be involved, review the financing options and create the documentation needed to support its equity participation in the project.

Gitanyow First Nation (Kitwanga)

Funding: $40,000 for a feasibility study

Purpose: To help the community identify potential green energy projects that can provide benefits in the short and long term by creating additional power for manufacturing opportunities.

Splatsin First Nation (Enderby) and Neskonlith Indian Band (Chase)

Funding: $40,000 to engage with project proponents

Purpose: Through Sexqeltkemc Enterprises, the bands will engage with a proponent on the proposal to build the Beaver River project, including drafting an Impact and Benefit/Development Agreement and completing Limited Partnership and Shareholder Agreements.