The provincial government is providing $250,000 to support energy efficiency and clean energy projects in seven communities including solar power, biomass heating, and energy retrofits to local facilities.

The funding is part of $1.3 million that will be provided under the new Community Energy Leadership Program (CELP) over the next three years.

The program supports local governments’ and First Nations’ investments in energy efficiency and clean energy projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency, stimulate economic activity, and promote community partnerships with industry that advance British Columbia’s growing clean energy sector.

The projects selected for the first round of funding under CELP are as follows:

• Saulteau First Nation – $80,000 for a biomass heating project that will displace propane use in their greenhouses, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and saving the community approximately $77,000 in fuel costs annually.
• Squamish-Lillooet Regional District – $24,743 for a solar photovoltaic project in the rural community of Gold Bridge that will generate approximately 17-20 megawatt-hours of electricity annually and provide opportunities for training in solar photovoltaics.
• City of Kelowna – $45,000 for an arena energy efficiency retrofit project that will reduce energy demand, saving $26,600 per year in operational costs and reducing the city’s carbon footprint.
• City of Kamloops – $30,855 for a solar photovoltaic project at their newest park and community centre development that will generate approximately 25 megawatt-hours of electricity annually.
• Capital Regional District – $21,780 for an energy efficient boiler retrofit project at a non-profit housing location that will result in an estimated 20% efficiency gain and reduce the regional district’s carbon footprint.
• Nanaimo Regional District – $20,000 for an arena energy efficiency retrofit project that will reduce energy demand, saving $8,700 per year in operational costs and reducing the city’s carbon footprint.
• City of Coquitlam – $20,000 for an energy efficient boiler retrofit at the city’s cultural centre, and an exterior LED lighting retrofit at their sports and leisure centre that will result in energy savings.

The projects for 2015-16 were selected based on an application and evaluation process that began with a request for expressions of interest that went out to all local governments and First Nations in the province in May 2015. To receive funding from CELP, communities and First Nations were required to self-fund and secure alternative sources of funding for 67% of the cost of their projects.

Funding for CELP comes from the province’s Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund. The ICE fund is a legislated special account designed to support government’s energy and environmental priorities and to advance British Columbia’s clean energy sector.

Quote:

Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines –

“Congratulations to the projects selected for our first round of funding under the Community Energy Leadership Program. With this funding we’re helping local governments and First Nations move forward with some great projects that will reduce energy consumption, save money, lower greenhouse gas emissions and build partnerships in the clean energy sector.”

Quick Facts:

• Separate calls for applications for CELP will be made for 2016-17 and 2017-18.
• A call for applications was issued in October 2015 for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2016.

Learn More:

For further information on CELP: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/electricity-alternative-energy/community-energy-systems/community-energy-leadership-program

The Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund: www.gov.bc.ca/innovativecleanenergyfund