November 18, 2016 – The Skeetchestn Indian Band in Savona, B.C. is taking another step towards renewable energy generation as it develops a community energy plan with $30,000 from British Columbia’s First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund.

According to the province, the plan will explore using solar and wind for energy generation, improving the energy efficiency of homes and buildings, improving waste facilities to reduce greenhouse gases—while creating a composting business, and working with industry and post-secondary institutions to increase home energy audit skills and capacity.

“Our community energy plan reflects the importance the Skeetchestn people place on reducing our carbon footprint, living sustainably and using the renewable natural resources within our territory,” says Chief Ronald Ignace of the Skeetchestn Indian Band. “Our people set the priorities of this plan and ensured it aligns with our traditions, laws and culture, and will continue to guide what comes next to achieve energy independence.”

The First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund was established in 2010 and has helped more than 110 First Nations communities since then, the province states, with almost $8.2 million in capacity and equity funding for participation in ocean and wind energy, biomass, run-of-river hydroelectric power, energy planning and more.