Managing energy consumption and developing strategies for future clean energy projects - that’s the focus of four new community energy plans to be developed by the Naut'sa mawt Tribal Council.

The Tribal Council, providing services to eleven First Nations in the areas of the Strait of Georgia and Strait of Juan de Fuca, will receive $80,000 through the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund to develop the community energy plans. The plans will be developed on behalf of the Halalt First Nation, Homalco First Nation, Tsawwassen First Nation, and Stz'uminus First Nation.

The plans will raise awareness about current energy consumption patterns, energy resources and infrastructure, as well as future energy needs. Community meetings will increase awareness of how energy is used in the community, energy expenditures, and the benefits of reducing energy consumption.

A range of energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities will be identified. This includes opportunities at the residential, commercial, and community level. An assessment of community renewable energy resources will also seek to identify potential new clean energy projects.

Funding for this project and other agreements is part of the Province’s commitment to reconciliation with First Nations. This includes ensuring more nations are involved in economic opportunities that make their communities and the rest of the Province stronger.

Quotes:

John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation -

"These community energy plans will help the four First Nations determine the best ways to manage energy consumption and develop new clean energy resources for the near-term and long-term benefit of their communities.”

Gary Reith, chief administrative officer, Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council -

“Our member Nations are keenly interested in exploring opportunities to conserve resources and produce clean energy. On behalf of our board, I thank British Columbia for making this project possible.”

Scott Hamilton, MLA, Delta North -

“The energy planning being undertaken by the Naut'sa mawt Tribal Council has the potential to greatly benefit the First Nations communities. These forward-looking plans will increase energy awareness, and develop strategies to better meet the First Nations communities’ energy needs.”

Quick Facts:

• The Naut'sa mawt Tribal Council is a non-profit society that provides advisory services to its eleven members. These members include the following First Nations:
  • Halalt
  • Homalco
  • Klahoose
  • Malahat
  • Sliammon
  • Snaw-naw-as
  • Snuneymuxw
  • Stz'uminus
  • Tsawwassen
  • Tseil-wau-tuth
  • T'sou-ke
• The First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund provides equity funding of up to $500,000 and capacity development funding of up to $50,000 to support First Nations with feasibility studies or engagement with private sector proponents of clean energy projects.
• Since 2011, more than 100 Aboriginal communities have benefited from more than $6.9 million in capacity and equity funding through the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund. To date, $3.9 million has been approved for First Nations equity investments for nine clean energy projects.
• B.C. has 36 clean energy revenue-sharing agreements with 29 First Nations, including 10 new revenue-sharing agreements this spring.
• The fund supports First Nations participation in ocean and wind energy, biomass, solar, run-of river hydroelectric power, clean energy planning and related projects.
• The fund also allows First Nations with revenue-sharing agreements to receive a portion of water and land rents charged by the Province for new clean energy projects.
• The clean energy technology industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in B.C., with more than 200 organizations, 68% of which were formed in the past decade.

Learn More:

Naut'sa mawt Tribal Council: http://www.nautsamawt.org/

For more information on the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund, visit: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=1178ADF080E24FDD931DA6FB88D67607

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 213-7724