The Province is committed to support local government and First Nation communities to develop and share innovative energy solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency and encourage the use of community-based clean energy sources.
Communities can access numerous provincial programs and services which include:
- Community Action on Energy and Emissions Initiative
- Remote Community Clean Energy Program
- LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program
- Support for Community Energy Planning
- Energy education sessions
- Assistance with policy development
- Technical project advice
- Assistance in finding and coordinating project funding
- Access to a network of communities to share information and experience
WHAT CAN YOU DO AS A COMMUNITY?
1) Community Energy Planning
Create a community energy plan to guide your community’s sustainable energy future! A community energy plan will help establish energy objectives, provide an overview of your community’s energy demand and identify energy efficiency and clean energy opportunities.
2) Energy Efficient Homes and Buildings
Promote energy efficiency audits and upgrades in your community's homes and buildings. Plus, help ensure that all new homes and buildings include energy efficiency components by organizing sustainable design workshops.
3) Clean Energy Projects
Design and build community-owned clean energy projects, or support clean energy projects in your region that meet your community’s sustainability objectives.
4) Policy Development, Education and Training
Create clean energy and energy efficiency policies, improve energy education and increase access to clean energy and energy efficiency jobs in your community. Be a mentor for other communities interested in community energy solutions.
Community Energy Solutions Factsheet
Funding & Support Guide
BC First Nation Clean Energy Business Fund: The FNCEBF aims to promote increased First Nation participation in the clean energy sector within their asserted traditional territories and treaty areas through agreements between the BC Government and the eligible First Nations to:
- Provide capacity development funding to support First Nations to undertake activities such as feasibility studies or to engage with proponents of clean energy projects (Capacity Funding);
- Provide grants to qualifying First Nations to help acquire equity positions in clean energy projects or assist in the undertaking of their own community clean energy project (Equity Grant); and
- Share in the revenues from clean energy projects based on new, net, incremental revenues to government derived from water rentals, land rents and eventually wind participation rents (Revenue Sharing).
Further information on the FNCEBF can be found at the following link: http://www.gov.bc.ca/arr/economic/fncebf.html
BC Climate Action Toolkit: A climate action resource for local governments that includes an abundance of information on community climate action and clean energy best practices, funding, training, planning and policy development.
http://www.toolkit.bc.ca/
Community Energy Association: The publication section of this website has a number of useful guides on topics such as community energy and emissions planning, policy development, and developing a green economy in your community.
http://www.communityenergy.bc.ca/
BC Rural Secretariat (Ministry of Community and Rural Development): This site provides easy access to information and resources related to community planning and economic development.
http://www.ruralbc.gov.bc.ca/
LiveSmart BC: This site includes information on the LiveSmart energy efficiency incentive program.
http://www.livesmartbc.ca
Handbook for Developing Micro Hydro in British Columbia (BC Hydro)
An Information Guide on Pursuing Biomass Energy Opportunities and Technologies in British Columbia (BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources)
http://www.energyplan.gov.bc.ca/bioenergy/PDF/BioenergyInfoGuide.pdf
Call the Community Energy Solutions team at 250-387-2665 or 250-953-3391.
