British Columbia Energy-Efficient Upgrades in First Nations Homes and Community Buildings
Addressing inequity in housing and community infrastructure for First Nations (on- and off-reserve) is an essential step towards addressing broader inequities in health and well-being. As part of this effort, First Nations must have affordable access to clean energy and investments in infrastructure upgrades, including access to more energy-efficient technologies. Investing in more affordable, low-carbon heating systems and energy efficient retrofits also delivers benefits beyond the household and community by supporting the reduction in GHG emissions and the potential development of employment and economic development opportunities.
Implementing energy-efficient projects involves high capital investments, so that public and private support become essential to the transition to more energy efficient communities. In this regard, and as part of the BCAFN’s mandate to support Indigenous climate leadership in BC, we want to invite you to a webinar to learn about existing provincial and private opportunities for Energy-Efficient Upgrades in First Nations Homes and Community Buildings. The webinar will provide information on the programs and rebates available to First Nations and eligibility requirements, including programs that support energy-efficiency upgrades for homes and community buildings and installation training to complete the upgrades.
The webinar will also provide a forum to discuss the barriers to First Nations who seek to improve energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions.
Speakers
Patricia Rojas, BCAFN Regional Climate Change Coordinator
Sean LeRoy, Director, Community Clean Energy, BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low-carbon Innovation
Sean will provide an overview of the Province’s CleanBC plan and the energy efficiency rebates and incentives available to Indigenous communities to support energy efficiency upgrades in homes and buildings, including the Indigenous Community Energy Coach Program and the associated Indigenous Community Heat Pump Incentive.
Overview of programs and funding to support energy efficiency projects in Indigenous Communities pdf
Seth Oldham, BC Hydro & Carol Suhan, Fortis BC
This presentation will focus on BC Hydro’s and Fortis BC’s programs and incentives to support energy conservation improvements and retrofits in existing homes. The presenters will also briefly speak to new programs and offers available for new buildings.
Leona Humchitt, Councillor and Climate Action Coordinator, Heiltsuk Tribal Council
Leona will share the Heiltsuk experience from the amazing work that the Nation has done to install heat pumps and retrofits in community homes since 2017. This presentation will provide valuable information on what was required and lessons learned, and is meant to encourage other First Nations to start their own projects.
For more information, please visit the Indigenous Support webpage that lists available programs.
The event will be recorded. If you are unable to attend and would like to watch the webinar, please visit https://www.bcafn.ca/climate-emergency/bcafn-climate-action-webinars
Additional programs/services available:
- Federal Government/Call for applications for the new Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program (GICB)
- Canada is currently accepting applications for retrofits, repairs, upgrades or new builds projects for community buildings.
- Applicants, including First Nations communities/governments/bands, proposing retrofits under $3 million can submit their application at any time. These applications will be funded on a first-come first-served basis.
- For larger retrofits and new builds ($3 million or greater), the government will assess the project eligibility and merit criteria on a competitive basis with the first round of submissions closing on July 6, 2021.
- All information – including application instructions, timelines, eligibility and evaluation criteria – can be found in the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Applicant Guide. The government also offers support to communities on the application process. Email address for questions/inquiries: infc.gicbp-pbcvi.infc@canada.ca
- Fraser Basing Council – First Nations Home EnergySave
- The Fraser Basin Council (FBC), through the program First Nations Home EnergySave seeks to support First Nations communities to reduce energy use, share success stories, and build local capacity and economic development. The First Nations Home EnergySave program offers:
- Information sharing – Community cases studies: Remote communities share information on their energy-saving projects related to: Energy-Efficient Policy, Home and Building Renovations and New Construction.
- Home EnergySave Events & Presentations: a series of webinars and workshop recordings, as well as presentationson topics related to energy-efficiency and housing, including key elements of building a business case for energy-efficient housing. The link to the YouTube channel is here.
- First Nations Home EnergySave Podcast series: The podcast is focused on supporting BC First Nations in their work to provide people healthy, affordable and energy efficient housing.
- Ask an Energy Specialist: offers support to communities that are in the early stages of planning or implementing energy efficiency housing projects. More information about this project is here
If you have any questions about this Webinar, please contact Patricia Rojas, BCAFN Regional Climate Change Coordinator