Latest News

Province releases more CleanBC funding

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 12:31 PST, Tue January 18, 2022

Applications for the third intake of the CleanBC Communities Fund will open on Jan. 26, with the province aiming to invest in projects that reduce pollution, increase health and expand opportunities in response to a changing climate.

The governments of Canada and B.C. have committed a combined investment of as much as $134 million for the fund’s third intake, bringing the total investment to date to more than $240 million for local projects that increase clean energy and energy efficiency in buildings, transportation and other community-owned infrastructure.

"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, on behalf of Dominic LeBlanc, federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. "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 be open to 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 are open to local governments, Indigenous communities and not-for-profit and for-profit organizations. The third intake of the fund is supported by $60.6 million from the province and $73.1 million from the federal government through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program Green Infrastructure stream. The province administers the program and will accept funding applications for the third intake from Jan. 26 to May 25 with approvals expected in 2023.

The first round of program funding 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.

Successful projects from the second intake of the CleanBC Communities Fund are expected to be announced later this year.

To learn more about the CleanBC Communities Fund, including program and eligibility criteria and how to apply, visit cleanbc.ca/communitiesfund.

See more canada news

See All

See more international news

  See All
© 2024 Richmond Sentinel News Inc. All rights reserved. Designed by Intelli Management Group Inc.