VICTORIA - The Lake Babine Nation will benefit from the most recent round of funding under the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund (FNCEBF).

Lake Babine Biomass Heating and Job Creation Program will receive $40,000. The funds will be used to conduct a feasibility study consisting of an engineering feasibility assessment for a proposed district biomass heating system using wood chips, as well as a job-targeted skill training program within the community.

Since 2011, the provincial government has invested more than $5.1 million to support clean-energy opportunities in over 80 Aboriginal communities throughout B.C., including wind energy, biomass and run-of-river hydroelectric power. The clean-energy technology industry is one of the fastest growing industries in B.C., with more than 200 organizations, 68 per cent of which were formed in the past decade.

Twelve new FNCEBF projects are being announced today. Two will be receiving equity funding and 10 will be funded to assist in capacity building.

Quote:

Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation John Rustad -

"Investing in First Nations clean-energy projects and capacity building supports First Nations to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Projects like those announced today, will help power British Columbia's economy in the future and will help to support sustainable economies at the community level."

Learn More:

For more information about FNCEBF, visit: http://www.gov.bc.ca/arr/economic/fncebf.html

Contact:

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