OPA supports 29 Aboriginal community energy plans

Toronto: The Ontario Power Authority announced May 2 that it is supporting 29 Aboriginal communities in developing their community energy plans through the Aboriginal Community Energy Plan (ACEP) program.

          The OPA said that 22 proposals have been approved, for a total of $2.5 million in funding through ACEP. The proposals involve 29 participating Aboriginal communities across Ontario, including remote, northern and southern First Nations.

          Applications for the first round of the program were accepted from August 21 to November 29, 2013, and the review process was overseen by an independent fairness monitor.

          The ACEP program assists First Nations and Métis communities to develop or update a community energy plan, with the goal of improving energy efficiency, reducing electricity consumption and assessing opportunities for clean energy generation. The program will provide up to $90,000 in funding to First Nation or Métis communities for local energy planning activities, with remote communities being eligible for an additional $5,000. Through this program, the province is encouraging the development of energy plans that identify the unique needs and interests of each First Nation and Métis community.

          “The Aboriginal Community Energy Plan program will support First Nation and Métis communities in developing plans that will help conserve electricity and find opportunities for clean small-scale generation, said Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli. “As outlined in Ontario’s updated Long-Term Energy Plan, community energy plans will complement and support regional energy plans by allowing communities to identify their unique community needs and interests.”

          “We’re very excited that our tribal council will be able to work with its five member communities to develop energy plans that will complement the existing work of future connection to the provincial grid, determining local distribution and addressing conservation. Our end goal is to create opportunities, and by planning now we can help ensure a good future for our communities.” Margaret Kenequanash, Executive Director, Shibogama First Nations Council

          For more information on the Aboriginal Community Energy Plan (ACEP) program visit www.aboriginalenergy.ca/aboriginal-community-energy-plans.

          The approved communities are:

Algonquins of Pikwakanagan

Seine River First Nation

Delaware Nation (Moravian of the Thames)

Chippewas of Georgina Island

Five Nations Energy Inc., representing: Fort Albany First Nation, Attawapiskat First Nation, Kashechewan First Nation

Mocrebec Council of the Cree Nation

Shibogama First Nations Council Technical Services, representing Kasabonika Lake, Kingfisher Lake, Wapekeka, Wawakapewin and Wunnimun First Nations

Aronlan First Nation

M’chigeeng First Nation

Ojibways of Garden River

Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation

Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation

Batchewana First Nation

Long Lake #58 First Nation

Lac Seul First Nation

Ojibways of Pic River

Couchiching First Nation

Eagle Lake First Nation

Wahgoshig First Nation

Windigo First Nations Council, representing Sachigo Lake and North Caribou First Nations

Shawanaga First Nation

Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve.