NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 2009STED0010-000480 October 14, 2009

Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development

 

FUNDING FUELS CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE

 

VICTORIA – The Province is making $25 million available in a new call for applications to the on-going Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund, Small Business, Technology and Economic Development Minister Iain Black announced today.

 

“The ICE Fund is helping to commercialize clean energy technologies that can fight climate change,” Black said. “Renewed support from the provincial government will create jobs in B.C. communities.”

 

Clean energy entrepreneurs can apply now for the 2010 Showcase Call for Applications and expect the first project approvals early in the new year. The initial deadline to submit applications is November 20, 2009. The provincial government is considering additional application deadlines to take effect in 2010.

 

The ICE Fund is open to applications from municipalities, regional districts, school boards, hospitals, First Nations, not-for-profit societies, post secondary institutions, Crown corporations, public utilities and companies.

 

            For further information on how to apply, visit the ICE Fund website at: http://www.sted.gov.bc.ca/icefund/.

 

Since 2008, the ICE Fund has approved over $47 million in investments to support 34 clean energy projects in communities across B.C., representing a total value of over $174 million including leveraged investments. ICE Fund projects are helping make clean, renewable energy technologies ready for commercial application in areas such as solar, geothermal, wind, ocean tidal and wave, and bioenergy.

 

Supporting the BC Energy Plan and the government’s goal of electricity self-sufficiency by 2016 and cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent by 2020, the ICE Fund will showcase B.C. technologies to the world.

-30-

Contact:	Carolyn Heiman Communications Manager Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development 250 952-0152

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.