Twelve more First Nations across British Columbia are one step closer to achieving clean-energy developments in their communities, thanks to investments through the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund (FNCEBF).

Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation John Rustad today announced the FNCEBF will support 10 capacity-building projects and two equity ventures in pursuit of clean-energy goals. He made the announcement in a speech today at the 11th annual Clean Energy BC conference in Vancouver.

The two equity projects, which each received an investment of $500,000, are shishálh Nation (formerly Sechelt Indian Band) and Sts'ailes First Nation (formerly Chehalis First Nation).

Highlighting the conference theme of innovative partnerships, Rustad told the crowd about the success of revenue-sharing initiatives that continue to see First Nations becoming partners in B.C.'s economy.

He said the FNCEBF has proven very successful as a new tool to engage First Nations. Over the last three years, B.C. has invested in 95 First Nations clean-energy projects.

FNCEBF funding will enable the 12 First Nations announced today to achieve a wide range of clean-energy related projects, among them:

• A feasibility study by Lake Babine Nation will look at bringing a district biomass heating system using wood chips online.
• Okanagan Indian Band will use their funds to develop a community energy plan assessing solar, wind, biomass and hydropower potential in their traditional territory, as well as energy-saving opportunities.
• shishálh Nation will invest in building the 33-megawatt Narrows Inlet Hydro Project, in partnership with private investors and another First Nation.

Since 2011, the provincial government has invested more than $5.1 million to support clean-energy opportunities in over 80 Aboriginal communities across 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. Clean-energy technology is one of eight key sectors mentioned in the BC Jobs Plan.

The FNCEBF provides money for capacity-building in communities and investment in clean-energy infrastructure. The fund is also used for revenue-sharing agreements with First Nations on whose traditional territory a clean-energy project is built. B.C. has so far achieved three revenue-sharing agreements under the FNCEBF, with the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations, Squamish Nation and the Tahltan Nation.

Revenue-sharing from FNCEBF projects is based on sharing tax revenues with local First Nations. By re-investing in First Nations' economic activities, B.C. is working to close the social and economic gaps between First Nations and other British Columbians, and build strong, sustainable economies at the community level. In neither case is sharing revenue a new cost to industry.

Quotes:

Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation John Rustad -

"Renewable, clean-energy projects are the key to a sustainable energy future for all British Columbians. The FNCEBF invests in efforts by First Nations to build capacity and realize infrastructure projects aimed at creating jobs and strengthening Aboriginal families and economies. Now, 125 B.C. First Nations are engaged in finding clean-energy solutions to help build a better tomorrow."

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

"Clean energy projects across British Columbia are creating opportunities for innovative partnerships with First Nations. These projects are an excellent example of how working together we can provide economic benefits to communities."

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.

Contact:

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

BACKGROUNDER

Equity Funding

shishálh Nation - Sechelt Indian Band (near Sechelt)
Approved Funding Amount: $500,000
Project Name: shishálh Nation Equity Investment in Narrows Inlet Hydro Project

Funding will assist towards an investment from Sechelt into the construction of the Narrows Inlet Hydro Project. The project comprises of three smaller projects - Chickwat, Upper Romona and Lower Romona. The Narrows Inlet Hydro Holding Corp. will be developing the 33-megawatt project located in the interior of the Sunshine Coast within the Sechelt Traditional Territory. Partnerships for the project consist of the Narrows Inlet Hydro Holding Corp., Connor Clark & Lunn and the Sechelt Indian Band. shishálh Nation will be a minority owner of the project.

Sts'ailes First Nation - Chehalis First Nation (near Agassiz)
Approved Funding Amount: $500,000
Project Name: Sts'ailes Equity Investment in Bremner Trio Hydro Corp

Funding will assist towards an investment from Sts'ailes to Bremner Trio Hydro Corporation for the construction of two 25MW hydro projects located in the Upper Harrison area within Sts'ailes' Traditional Territory. Bremner Trio Hydro Corporation (BTHC) will be the developer of the project. Partnerships of the project consist of BTHC, Kingston Construction, Corpfinance International and Sts'ailes First Nation. Sts'ailes First Nation will be a minority owner of the project.

Capacity Funding

Blueberry River First Nations (north of Fort St. John)
Approved Funding Amount: $
Project Name: Blueberry River First Nations - Community Energy Plan and Clean Energy Opportunities Assessment Project

Funding will be utilised to conduct a community energy plan within the Blueberry River First Nation's Traditional Territory. The plan is intended to establish direction and strategy in the pursuit of developing a community-based clean-energy project.

In-SHUCK-ch Development Corporation (West of Lytton between Squamish and Whistler)
Approved Funding Amount: $20,000
Project Name: Rogers Independent Power Project (IPP) - Cultural Resource Protection

Funding will be used to conduct a feasibility study to undertake archeological preliminary field reconnaissance of the entire footprint of the proposed IPP at Rogers Creek and identify any archeological site assessment or other further work that may be found to be necessary.

Lake Babine Nation (near Burns Lake)
Approved Funding Amount: $40,000
Project Name: Lake Babine Biomass Heating and Job Creation Program

Funding 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.

Lhtako Dene First Nation - formerly Red Bluff First Nations (near Quesnel)
Approved Funding Amount: $30,000
Project Name: Lhtako Dene First Nation - Clean Energy Options Assessment

Funding will be used to conduct a community energy plan within the Lhtako Dene's Traditional Territory. The plan will provide an opportunity for the Lhtako Nation to establish direction and strategy in pursuit of developing an economically-based clean-energy project.

Lytton First Nation (near Lytton)
Approved Funding Amount: $30,000
Project Name: Lytton First Nation - Community Energy Plan and Clean Energy Opportunities Assessment

Funding will be used to conduct a community energy plan within the Lytton First Nation's Traditional Territory. The plan intends to identify potential clean-energy projects and investigate projects within the Lytton territory that have potential for further review. Also, to pursue-energy management activities to reduce costs and support positive environmental outcomes.

Nak'azdli Indian Band (near Fort St. James)
Approved Funding Amount: $30,000
Project Name: Nak'azdli Band Energy Vision and Planning Initiative

Funding will be used to conduct a community energy plan within the Nak'azdli Indian Band's Traditional Territory. The plan will provide the Nak'azdli territory with the vision, guidelines, data analysis and action plans necessary for participation in the clean-energy sector.

Nisga'a Lisims Government (near Terrace)
Approved Funding Amount: $40,000
Project Name: Anudol Creek - Feasibility Assessment

Funding will be used to conduct a feasibility study to assess and quantify hydrological resources for a potential hydro project on Anudol Creek.

Okanagan Indian Band (near Vernon)
Approved Funding Amount: $30,000
Project Name: Community Energy Plan and Clean Energy Opportunities Assessment Project

Funding will be used to conduct a community energy plan within the Okanagan Indian Band's Traditional Territory. The plan will assess solar, wind, biomass and hydropower within the reserve and traditional territory as well as energy-saving opportunities.

Seabird Island First Nation (near Harrison Hot Springs)
Approved Funding Amount: $30,000
Project Name: Seabird Island First Nation Energy Vision and Planning Initiative

Funding will be used to conduct a community energy plan within the Seabird Island First Nation's Traditional Territory. The plan will consist of a full assessment of clean-energy resource development and preparation for eventual alternative-energy development within the traditional territory.

Tl'esquox - formerly Toosey Indian Band (near Alexis Creek)
Approved Funding Amount: $30,000
Project Name: Tlesq'ox Indian Band - Community Energy Plan

Funding will be used to conduct a community energy plan within the Tl'esquox's Traditional Territory. It will provide the Tl'esquox territory with the vision, guidelines, data analysis and action plans necessary for participation in the clean-energy sector.

Contact:

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