The ʔaq̓am community is included among 35 Indigenous Nations across the province that will receive provincial funding for clean energy initiatives.
B.C. officials said the projects are meant to help communities meet their energy needs and create local jobs.
“First Nations are key partners as we work together to build cleaner, more resilient communities and power B.C.’s growing economy with renewable electricity,” said Josie Osborne, B.C.’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation.
“From roof-top solar to residential heat pumps and large-scale wind generation, the projects receiving funding today will advance Indigenous clean energy and create new opportunities across the province.”
B.C. officials said $9.8 million in federal and provincial funding will get split between the projects.
The ʔaq̓am Community Enterprises will get $162,000 for design and engineering for a solar panel installation project.
The funding comes from the the BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative (BCICEI), which is a partnership between the federal government, the B.C. government and New Relationship Trust (NRT).
“New Relationship Trust is dedicated to bolstering First Nations’ leadership in clean energy throughout B.C. These endeavours reduce greenhouse gas emissions, propel economic growth and foster well-being in urban and rural Indigenous communities provincewide,” said Walter Schneider, NRT CEO.
“The BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative stands out as a distinctive funding program that is guided by Indigenous leadership and fosters collaboration across various sectors, from government to industry to First Nations organizations.”
The B.C. government, NRT and PacifiCan will soon begin on a new funding stream for the BCICEI, aimed at supporting small-scale renewable energy projects that are not eligible for BC Hydro’s calls for power due to their size.
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