SUPPORT FOR CARBON-NEUTRAL COMMUNITIES

The Province has invested in a range of programs and initiatives that support local governments and school districts in building greener communities and reducing their carbon footprint:

Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund

The Province is investing $25 million for 15 projects in 11 communities across five regions for innovative and clean energy solutions while accelerating the commercialization of new technologies. These projects will leverage nearly $80 million for projects like bioenergy, geothermal, solar and other alternative energy.

Energy Efficient Building Strategy

Under the Energy Efficient Building Strategy, $20 million is available for clean energy projects in remote communities to reduce environmental impacts and energy costs. There is also $930,000 under the Community Action on Energy and Emissions program to provide local governments and First Nations grants to take action to support government's greenhouse gas and energy efficiency targets.

SolarBC

The Province is investing $5 million in the SolarBC program to encourage the installation of solar hot water heaters in homes, municipal buildings, schools, social housing and First Nations communities.

Bike BC

The Province is investing $31 million to build and improve cycling infrastructure in communities across B.C.

Towns for Tomorrow

The Province is investing $21 million over three years to help small municipalities build community infrastructure. The Province provides 80 per cent of the funding for approved projects to a maximum of $400,000.

LocalMotion

The Province is investing $40 million over four years to help municipalities build bike paths, walkways, greenways, support community playgrounds and improved accessibility for people with disabilities. The funding supports capital projects, and is based on a 50/50 cost share with the municipality.

B.C. Spirit Squares

This $20 million program helps create or improve outdoor public meeting/celebration spaces based on 50/50 cost-sharing with local governments, to a maximum provincial contribution of $500,000.

Green City Awards

The Province is providing $500,000 in cash awards to profile leading-edge communities and providing them with the funds to invest in initiatives that make their communities greener and healthier for citizens.

Green Infrastructure

Under the Building Canada Fund, the Province and the federal government are jointly providing $272 million ($136 million provincial funding) for infrastructure projects in B.C. communities, including green energy and waste and water systems.

Regional Investments

The Province invested $285 million to establish three regional economic trusts – the Northern Development Initiative Trust ($185 million), the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust ($50 million), and the North Island-Coast Development Initiative Trust ($50 million). These trusts are managed by boards of local elected representatives and make investments in locally-developed projects.

Enhanced Transit Options

$20.5 million in additional funding is being invested this year in BC Transit to improve transit service and buy 48 new buses for 26 transit systems.

Clean Energy School Buses

The Province is investing $10 million to purchase 80 new clean energy buses and most existing diesel school buses are being retrofitted with new clean diesel technology.

Green Public Buildings

The Provincial Government is investing $75 million in capital funding to retrofit existing provincial public sector buildings under the Energy Efficient Buildings Strategy. This program provides energy efficient retrofit funding for projects in public sector facilities such as schools, colleges, and hospitals.

Green Schools

All new schools in B.C. are now built to LEED Gold standards which can save school districts on heating and electricity costs. To-date, the Province has approved four new schools that meet LEED Gold standards, at a total value of over $116 million.

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Media contact:	Bridgitte Anderson Press Secretary Office of the Premier 604 307-7177

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.