Background
The Remote Community Implementation (RCI) Program is designed as an independent initiative under the Community Action on Energy and Emissions (CAEE) program. It is designed to provide funding assistance to remote communities to implement clean energy and energy efficiency projects.  The program is intended to support the implementation of projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce dependence on fossil fuel resources, reduce energy costs and help meet a remote community’s economic, social and physical sustainability goals.

This program funds the capital costs of implementing community clean energy and energy efficiency projects and is designed to complement other funding programs that are available to assist communities in clean energy planning and research.

The RCI Program is managed by the Fraser Basin Council, with guidance from an external Advisory Committee, including representatives from First Nations organizations, provincial and federal departments and utilities.

A community-to-community mentorship stream is also under development as part of the RCI program.  Communities that have already completed community energy plans and energy efficiency and / or clean energy projects, and that are interested in being mentors for future funding recipients are invited to contact Tanya Hebron at (604) 488-5354.

↑ Top ↑

Eligibility
Remote communities in British Columbia are the only communities eligible to apply for funding through this initiative. Remote Communities are defined as both civic and First Nation communities that are not connected to the major natural gas or electric grid. Communities served by local generating stations and distribution networks in BC Hydro's Non-Integrated Areas are also included as eligible remote communities under this program.

There are approximately 70 remote communities identified in British Columbia; roughly half are First Nations. The majority of these communities use diesel generators to support their electricity demand and fossil fuels for heating.

Preference will be given to projects that have committed funding from additional sources. Projects must also be in the final stages of project development, either construction-ready or near the stage of implementation. Feasibility or research studies are ineligible for RCI funding.

Focus Areas for Funding
Proposals are invited for projects related to (but not limited to) the following focus areas:

• Community-scale or building-scale alternative power projects that use in-stream hydro, micro hydro, bioenergy, wind, solar or ocean energy technologies;
• Community-scale or building-scale alternative heating projects that use solar, biomass, geo-exchange or air source heating;
• District energy systems that use combined heat and power systems supported by clean energy resources;
• Demand side management projects that upgrade existing community buildings or community infrastructure or improve the design of new buildings over the BC Building Code (over EnergGuide 77);
• Integrated smart grid, clean energy and demand side management projects.

Projects are divided into two main streams based on project type:

• Minor Projects designed to eliminate or significantly displace diesel generation. Funding of between $25,000 and $45,000 is available for capital construction costs (8 to 13 projects to be funded over three years) 
• Major Projects designed to eliminate diesel generation (except for back-up purposes). Funding of between $100,000 and $300,000 is available for capital construction costs (4 to 6 projects to be funded over three years).

Note: All projects should target a cost of $40 per tonne of greenhouse gas emission displaced.

↑ Top ↑

Selection Criteria
Applicants should address the criteria below in their project proposals.  Proposals will be reviewed and decisions made based on the following criteria:

Eligibility Criteria

Project proposals must meet the following Mandatory Criteria in order to be eligible for the RCI funding:

• The applicant submits a completed application form providing all requested information
• The applicant is a Remote Community (either a civic or First Nation community that is served by local generating stations and distribution networks in BC Hydro’s Non-Integrated Areas or not connected to the major natural gas or electric grid)
• The project implements clean energy or energy efficiency infrastructure (see above section Focus Areas for Funding) to reduce or eliminate the use of fossil fuels in heating and / or power generation:
  • A Minor Project requesting $25,000 to $45,000 funding from FBC must be designed to eliminate or significantly displace fossil fuel use for heating or power generation.
  • A Major Project requesting $100,000 to $300,000 funding from FBC must be designed to eliminate all fossil fuel power generation in the community (except for back-up purposes)
•  The Project aligns with a Community Energy Plan, and / or other community energy policies
• The applicant’s funding request is for Eligible Costs (defined below in the Eligible Costs section)
• The Project leverages additional funding from other sources.

  Additional Evaluation Criteria

  Project proposals that meet the above Mandatory Criteria will then be evaluated according to the following Evaluation Criteria:

  • The Project's alignment with the community's Community Energy Plan, energy policies and broader community objectives
  • The technical and operational feasibility of the project
  • The Project work-plan, budget and allocated resources (people and funding)
  • The Project's ability to leverage partner funding or human resources
  • The presence of a community champion for the Project and strong partnerships
  • The strength of the project team and the planned project management
  • The Project's life-cycle environmental benefits, including GHG emissions reductions. (Major projects should target a community-wide 80% GHG emissions reduction or greater, while minor projects should target a community-wide 33% GHG emissions reduction. Projects should target an RCI Program funding cost of no more than $40 per tonne of CO2e reduced on a 10-year basis. This is one of many evaluation criteria for CAEE – RCI funding.  As such, projects that do not meet a target of $40 per tonne of CO2e reduced on a 10-year basis, but are evaluated as strong projects on the other evaluation criteria, may or may not receive the full funding requested in their application.)  To assist applicants with GHG emissions reduction and cost-effectiveness calculations, a GHG Cost Effectiveness spreadsheet (Excel format) is available for download.
  • The Project's ability to contribute to the community’s economic sustainability (e.g., supporting local businesses, local employment, revenue generation that remains in the community), and to support a low carbon economy in B.C.
  • The Project's stage in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) process
  • The potential for experience or knowledge from the Project to be shared with other communities
  • The Project's key risks in meeting the objectives of the Project and the community, and the Project's risk management strategies.

  ↑ Top ↑

Eligible Costs

Capital costs related to the implementation of clean energy and energy efficiency projects (as noted in the above Focus Areas for Funding section) are eligible for funding under RCI. Examples of eligible costs include (but are not limited to):

• Equipment and material purchases required for clean energy technology installation
• Equipment and construction costs for energy efficiency projects where there is a clear funding requirement above and beyond existing Live Smart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program and utility incentives
• Capital and construction costs for alternative energy systems and
• Detailed engineering design for clean energy or energy efficiency projects.

Examples of ineligible costs include:

• Community energy planning
• Policy development
• Feasibility or research studies
• Provincial or federal sales taxes
• Property taxes
• Purchase of land and
• Hospitality.

↑ Top ↑

How to apply

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the year, and will be reviewed twice annually, in December and June. If you have questions, or require support in completing the application form, please contact the Fraser Basin Council:

By electronic application

Download the Application Form (Word version for electronic completion and submission), convert the completed form to PDF format, and email it to:

1. Tanya Hebron
2. Email: thebron[at] fraserbasin.bc.ca

By mail

Print out and complete the Application Form and send it by mail to the Fraser Basin Council (Attn.: Tanya Hebron):

1st Floor, 470 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 1V5 

Note: For reference in calculating GHG emissions (described in "Additional Evaluation Criteria" above) please consult the GHG Cost Effectiveness spreadsheet (Excel format).

↑ Top ↑

Contact Us

For additional information on the Remote Communities Implementation Program, please contact: 

Tanya Hebron
1st Floor, 470 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC  V6C 1V5
Email: thebron[at]fraserbasin.bc.ca
Tel: (604) 488-5354
Fax: (604) 488-5351

For general information on community energy planning, efficiency and clean energy projects, please visit the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources’ Community Energy Solutions website at: www.empr.gov.bc.ca/RET/CommunityEnergySolutions.