The Tsay Keh Dene First Nation received over $1 million in funding for a pair of green energy projects.
On Saturday, B.C. Energy and Mines Minister Rich Coleman announced $8 million in funding for 12 projects under the Innovative Clean Energy fund.
"These twelve new ICE Fund projects bring 475 jobs and almost $79 million in investment to B.C.
communities, creating a strong green economy for all British Columbians," Coleman said in a press release. "For example, the Tsay Keh Dene First Nation is producing heat from wood
waste, a clean energy solution for this diesel-based community..."
The Tsay Ken Dene First Nation received $1 million to develop a wood-fired heating and power generation system for rural First Nations communities on the shore of Williston Lake. Currently many of these communties rely on diesel generators for heat and electricity.
It's estimated the allowable wood harvest could offset up to 30 million litres of diesel fuel per year.
An additional $81,000 was granted to the First Nation to develop the first solar-powered, LED airfield lighting system in the province.
Across the province, the 12 projects are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 87,782 tonnes per year - the equivilent of taking 17,212 cars off the road.
The ICE Fund was created in 2008 and 56 projects have been approved to date. Of those, 12 have been completed - creating 103 permanent jobs.
Projects have included bioenergy, tidal power, solar, geothermal, micro-hydro, wind, waste utilization and energy conservation projects.
Other regional projects recieving funding through the ICE Fund this year include a fast-pryolysis plant in Kitimat to convert biomass into bio-oil, charcoal and gas; a tidal power system in Prince Rupert; and a biodiesel project in Anahim Lake.
A spokesperson for the Tsay Keh Dene First Nation could not be reached over the weekend for comment.
