Leq’a:mel, Matsqui First Nations Receive Funding For Clean Energy Projects

Submitted. The Leq’a:mel and Matsqui First Nations are receiving a total of $57,740 from the B.C. Government to fund clean energy projects. This funding is part of the latest investment being made through the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund, which is helping eight First Nations communities across the province to pursue their clean energy goals.

Project Details:

Leq’a:mel First Nation
Clean Energy Development Options Assessment and Development Strategy Project

Funding Amount: $28,560

The funds will assist the creation of a community energy profile that will identify potential clean energy projects, including run-of-river hydro power, wind, solar, and bioenergy power.

Matsqui First Nation
Community Energy Plan and Clean energy Opportunities Assessment

Funding Amount: $29,180

Funds will go towards conducting a preliminary assessment of clean energy opportunities, including hydro, wind solar, geothermal, and bioenergy power. It will also be used to help the community become more energy efficient.

“The Clean Energy Business Fund is a great program. It helps communities pursue sustainable energy opportunities and ensures that First Nations benefit from clean energy resource development through revenue sharing agreements. I wish the best-of-luck to the Leq’a:mel and Matsqui First Nations as they pursue their projects.”
Simon Gibson, MLA for Abbotsford-Mission

Why this is important:

· The First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund 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.

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

Additional information:

· 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.

· 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.

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

Find out 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

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