ATLIN – New Democrat MLA Nathan Cullen says local First Nations will be better able to meet their energy needs with funding for clean energy projects.

“These initiatives are a great example of the future of clean energy across B.C.,” says Nathan Cullen, MLA for Stikine. “A total of $1.1 million in funding coming to the Stikine region will not only support energy independence, but also drive job creation in our communities, fostering economic growth and self-sufficiency.”

In the Stikine Region, three projects are receiving funding:

• Taku River Tlingit First Nation
  • $500,000 towards a storage battery for the existing hydro facility.
• Daylu Dena Council
  • $300,000 towards a feasibility study for a proposed geothermal energy project with the goal of displacing the region’s diesel dependency.
• Sik-E-Dakh Band (Glen Vowell)
  • $300,000 towards air source heat pump installations in 70 homes in the community, meaning that all 75 homes in the community will have a heat pump.

Throughout B.C., 35 First Nations are receiving funding through the BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative (BCICEI), a partnership between the provincial and federal governments and the New Relationship Trust (NRT). Since 2016, the Initiative has supported over 135 projects with approximately $30 million.

Projects funded through this program include clean energy generation, energy efficiency and energy storage, helping First Nations to meet their energy needs and prepare for future needs while creating more jobs for people in their communities.