July 25, 2011
CLEAN ENERGY PROJECT TO POWER UP COMMUNITIES

VANCOUVER – A new Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund project will receive $1 million to support the development of clean energy technologies and benefit four local communities.

Why this matters:
• The project will help Vancouver, Mission, Golden and the Nisga'a community of New Aiyansh install next generation Clean Tech Smart MicroGrid technology to support clean energy resources and electricity conservation.
• Since 2008, 56 projects have received funding to develop new energy solutions to real, everyday energy and environmental challenges.

Quotes:
"Smart microgrids will allow us to maximize service quality and energy efficiency. The reduction in emissions will be equal to taking thousands of cars off our roads."
-Vancouver-Langara MLA Moira Stilwell

"This is an important step in making sure we can meet the growing energy demands of our community, while continuing to provide reliable, efficient power."
-Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton

"This funding will go a long way in helping us conserve energy and create a greener, more sustainable community."
-Abbotsford-Mission MLA Randy Hawes

Quick Facts:
• The ICE Fund helps B.C. entrepreneurs, communities and First Nations demonstrate the viability of their pre-commercial clean technologies to investors and customers worldwide. This includes solutions like biomass gasification to produce biogas, which is a clean heating alternative to fossil fuels.
• Twelve new ICE projects will bring $79 million in investment and 475 jobs to about ten B.C. communities.
• The projects will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 87,782 tonnes per year — the equivalent of taking 17,212 passenger vehicles off of the road.
• Since 2008, the Province has approved more than $72 million for 56 clean energy projects across B.C., representing a value over $390 million in total project costs through the ICE Fund.
• So far, 12 ICE Fund projects are complete and have created 271 construction jobs and 103 ongoing jobs.
• The Province through the ICE Fund supports a broad range of technological applications, including: ocean tidal and wave, solar, geoexchange, micro-hydro, wind, bioenergy, waste utilization, and energy conservation and management.  
• The 12 B.C. entrepreneurs, communities and First Nations receiving ICE funding will invest about $71 million in their projects, and with government’s support of $8 million, this brings the total investment in green innovation to $79 million.

Learn More:
• To learn more about the ICE Fund, visit www.icefund.gov.bc.ca.

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