The latest investment from B.C.'s First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund will help eight First Nations communities across the province to pursue their clean-energy goals.

Since 2011, the provincial government has invested approximately $3.8 million to support clean-energy opportunities in 70 Aboriginal communities throughout B.C., including wind energy, biomass, run-of-river hydroelectric power and clean-energy planning.

Among the projects supported by the latest rounding of funding are:

• A feasibility study toward a hybrid electricity solution for the Nemaiah Valley-based Xeni Gwet'in First Nations.

• Uchucklesaht Tribe Government's continued assessment, design and permitting of a hydropower project located in Barkley Sound on Vancouver Island.

• Evaluating potential run-of-river hydro power projects in the Ts'elxweyeqw's traditional territory in the Chilliwack River Valley.

The First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund provides money for capacity-building in communities and investment in clean-energy infrastructure. The fund also is also for revenue-sharing agreements with First Nations on whose traditional territory a clean-energy project is built.

B.C. has just reached the second revenue-sharing agreement under the fund, enabling the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation to share revenue from the Haa-ak-suuk Creek Power Project. In 2012, the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund provided a $500,000 in equity funding required to finance construction of the Haa-ak-suuk Creek project.

The first revenue-sharing agreement under the fund, signed in March 2013, provides the Tahltan Nation with a portion of water rentals and land rents charged for the Forrest Kerr hydroelectric project. Once that project is fully operational, the revenue to Tahltan is forecast to be approximately $2.5 million per year over the life of the project.

Further revenue-sharing agreements are expected to be announced in the near future.

Quotes:

John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation -

"When the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund was launched in 2011, First Nations had already established themselves at the forefront of B.C.'s clean-energy sector. Through the fund, we have helped build on that existing success and also helped create new opportunities for First Nations communities across B.C., which in turn benefits all British Columbians."

Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review -

"Clean-energy projects help power British Columbia's economy and through programs and investments like this, First Nations play an important role. Clean-energy producers have developed innovative projects and supplied clean, affordable electricity to B.C. families, business and industry for more than 25 years."

Learn More:

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

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contact:

Nina Chiarelli
Communications Director
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 953-3211

BACKGROUNDER

First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund projects

Esk'etemc
Funding Amount: $29,310
Project Name: Community Energy Plan and Clean Energy Opportunities Assessment Project.
Funding will assist in completing a high-level pre-feasibility assessment of solar, wind, biomass, hydro power and clean-energy options for a proposed future school building within its Reserve Lands. Community energy use and emissions as well as demand side management are also to be conducted.

Leq'á:mel First Nation
Funding Amount: $28,560
Project Name: Clean Energy Development Options Assessment and Development Strategy Project.
Funding will assist in completing a community energy profile and identify key demand-side management opportunities. The project also will complete pre-feasibility work related to the development of economic opportunities of four potential renewable energy projects - including small run-of-river hydro power, wind, solar and bioenergy.

Little Shuswap Lake Indian Band (LSLIB)
Funding Amount: $28,560
Project Name: Clean Energy Options Feasibility Study
Funding is intended to establish an opportunity for the Little Shuswap Lake Indian Band to establish direction and a strategy in pursuit of developing a community-based clean energy project. Four potential renewable energy projects will be assessed: run-of-river hydro power, biomass district energy system, wind and solar thermal.

Matsqui First Nation
Funding Amount: $29,180
Funding is intended for conducting a preliminary feasibility assessment of the clean-energy opportunities for the community (small hydro power, wind, solar, geothermal and bioenergy) and to become a more energy efficient community by pursuing energy management activities to reduce the community energy costs.

N'Quatqua Band
Funding Amount: $12,000
Funding will assist in exploring opportunities for residential energy efficiencies by developing on the LiveSmart audit previously conducted in the community. Funding will explore opportunities with non-residential buildings by utilising energy baseline work currently underway. The funding also is intended to determine the feasibility of potential renewable energy projects (wind, solar, run-of-river hydro power) within the community.

Ts'elxweyeqw Tribe Limited Partnership
Funding Amount: $30,000
Funding will facilitate the completion of a renewable energy plan intended to be a basis for discussion of run-of-river hydro power development for the community. This pre-feasibility study will take place within the Ts'elxweyeqw's Traditional Territory in the Chilliwack River Valley.

Uchucklesaht Tribe Government
Funding Amount: $40,000
Funding will assist in continued assessment, design and permitting of a hydropower project located in Barkley Sound on Vancouver Island. Activities will include Identifying project stakeholders, completing a land and water licence application, complete a second year of hydrometric data collection and conduct a terrain stability assessment.

Xeni Gwet'in First Nations Government
Funding Amount: $33,615
Funding would assist in a feasibility study for three integrated project plans for distributed energy systems for the five communities of Xeni Gwet'in. This system would result in a comprehensive hybrid electricity solution for the remote community of Xeni Gwet'in.

Media Contact:

Nina Chiarelli
Communications Director
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 953-3211