Notice of Funding: Remote Community Implementation (RCI) Program

April 27th, 2010

Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and the Fraser Basin Council

The Remote Community Implementation (RCI) Program aims to develop, and distribute funding grants that support remote communities to implement clean energy and energy efficiency projects. The program is intended to support the implementation of projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce dependence on fossil fuel resources, reduce energy costs and help meet a remote community’s economic, social and physical sustainability goals.

Eligibility

Remote communities in British Columbia are eligible to apply for funding through this initiative. Remote Communities are defined as both civic and First Nation communities that are not connected to the major natural gas or electric grid. There are approximately 70 remote communities identified in British Columbia; roughly half are First Nations. The majority of these communities use diesel generators to support their electricity demand.  

Remote communities are invited to submit project proposals related to (but not limited to) the following focus areas:

  • Community-scale or building-scale alternative power projects that use in-stream hydro, micro hydro, bioenergy, wind, solar or ocean energy technologies;
  • Demand side management projects that upgrade existing community buildings or community infrastructure or improve the design of new buildings over the BC Building Code;
  • Community-scale or building-scale alternative heating projects that use solar, biomass, geo-exchange or air source heating;
  • Integrated smart grid, clean energy and demand side management projects; and
  • District energy systems that use combined heat and power systems supported by clean energy resources.    

Projects are divided into two main streams based on project types over three years.  

  • Minor Projects: Funding of between $25,000 and $45,000 (8 to 13 projects to be funded).
    Projects designed to eliminate or significantly displace diesel generation.
  • Major Projects: Funding of between $100,000 and $300,000 (4 to 6 projects to be funded).
    Projects designed to eliminate diesel generation (except for back-up purposes).

*All projects should target a $40 / tonne greenhouse gas emission displaced.

The RCI project website http://fraserbasin.bc.ca/programs/caee_rci.html contains further information on project selection criteria and background information.

How to apply

The RCI Program is accepting project proposals for review in June 2010. To submit a project
proposal, please complete an application form and send it to Tanya Hebron by email or by mail to
the address provided below.

The deadline for the June application review is May 21, 2010. For additional information, and/or to have an application form mailed or emailed to you, please contact:
Tanya Hebron
1st Floor, 470 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC  V6C 1V5
Email: thebron[at]fraserbasin.bc.ca
Tel: (604) 488-5354; Fax: (604) 488-5351

This program is funded by the B.C.  Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources