$134 million available for B.C. clean-energy projects

VICTORIA—New funding aims to power up clean energy and efficiency projects in B.C.

The province and the federal government are making $134 million available for projects that reduce pollution, increase health and expand opportunities in response to a changing climate.

The governments of Canada and British Columbia have committed a combined investment of as much as $134 million for the third intake of the CleanBC Communities Fund.

“Investments in clean, efficient energy help support climate action and a healthy environment, while making life more affordable for families. They also contribute to the building of stronger, more resilient communities,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, federal minister of natural resources, in a statement. “The Government of Canada is pleased to contribute $73 million toward the CleanBC Communities Fund and partner with B.C. to promote energy-efficient infrastructure, create high-quality jobs and ensure a cleaner, more resilient future for communities across the province.”

The third intake will specifically target projects that manage renewable energy, improve access to clean-energy transportation, improve energy efficiency of buildings or generate clean energy to reduce community reliance on fossil fuels.

“With communities across the province stepping up as leaders in the fight against climate change, our government is increasing supports to build a more resilient future for everyone,” said George Heyman, B.C.’s minister of environment and climate change strategy. “With more funding than ever before, we’re backing clean community infrastructure that will benefit people, provide good jobs and address the climate crisis head on.”

Applications for funding open on Jan. 26 to local governments, Indigenous communities and not-for-profit and for-profit organizations.

“As we continue to face the impacts of climate change together, increasing the amount of funding for communities to continue innovating with clean infrastructure projects is absolutely the right thing to do,” said Josie Osborne, minister of municipal affairs. “Many local governments, Indigenous communities and organizations are leading the way on climate action with breakthrough initiatives that are reducing greenhouse gases and creating healthier, more sustainable communities.”

The program’s first round supported 16 community projects including:

– waste heat recovery systems for Vancouver’s False Creek neighbourhood and Richmond’s Oval Village community;

– clean hydropower to reduce Nuxalk Nation’s reliance on diesel;

– electric vehicle charging network expansions across the province; and

– energy-efficient building upgrades for aquatic centres in Kamloops and Prince George.