Press release

The OPA and Aboriginal Communities Work Together To Deliver Community Energy Planning

29 Aboriginal communities to develop energy plans

TORONTO, May 2, 2014 /CNW/ - The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) is supporting 29 Aboriginal communities in developing their community energy plans through the Aboriginal Community Energy Plan (ACEP) program.

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

The list of communities is available here.  A map showing the location of these communities is available here.

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.

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 will support Aboriginal participation in Ontario's energy sector by providing 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.

Quotes:

"The Ontario Power Authority is pleased to support Aboriginal communities in developing their energy plans through the ACEP program. This is one of several ways in which the OPA encourages Aboriginal participation in Ontario's energy sector and helps ensure a sustainable energy supply to communities across the province." 
Colin Andersen, OPA Chief Executive Officer 

"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. 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."
Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Energy

"Thanks to the Aboriginal Community Energy Plan program, 29 Aboriginal communities can start planning for their energy future. Aboriginal participation in energy sector development will help Ontario to both encourage renewable energy and provide sustainable economic development opportunities for First Nations and Métis communities across the province."
David Zimmer, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs

"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: http://www.aboriginalenergy.ca/aboriginal-community-energy-plans

The Ontario Power Authority is responsible for ensuring a reliable, sustainable supply of electricity for Ontario. Its key areas of focus are planning the power system for the long term, leading and coordinating conservation initiatives across the province, and ensuring development of needed generation resources.

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