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Community Owned Renewable Energy Projects

September 17, 2007

There has been no shortage of “green” discussion going on around town as of late so I figure we should be doing our part to keep up. It shouldn’t be to difficult as green and sustainability have been on our radar for quite some time. The following is press releases was issued today by the Community Power Fund.

The gist, there is money available to our community for clean power projects

The question…who are the local community, or incorporated, groups that might pursue such funding?

I can think of a few possible groups, however I am not sure how many of them might actively pursue such funding. If you are out there and this sort of thing is up your alley, drop us a line. I would love to get a little more discussion on this topic going around here so I might as well start with those in the know.

Does an “incorporated group” include companies in the for profit sector? This might be worth looking into because if it does then I think we should be drafting up letter to Canadian Commercial suggesting they pursue the goal of renewable energy (and why not green building while we are at it!) for the soon to be developed mega-Shoppers Drug Mart that appears to be coming to the corner of 10th and 1st ave West.

More to come on this topic… if you have a thought, add a comment or call it in (I double dog dare you!) to theOwen.com feedback line, (519) 416-6936

$3 million for community groups pursuing renewable energy in Ontario

The Community Power Fund has launched today a new $3 million fund to support community-owned renewable energy projects in Ontario. This fund is the first of its kind in Canada.

Eligible renewable energy projects include those involving wind, solar photovoltaic and solar thermal, small-scale hydro, geothermal and biogas technologies. Incorporated groups, including farmers, First Nations and community groups, can apply.

The fund is operating two grant programs. The first is a Small Grant Program for feasibility studies and strategic opportunity exploration. Eligible applicants may receive up to $25,000 toward their projects. The second is a Large Grant Program to support project development, with the possibility of up to $300,000 in funding.

“I am delighted that there is now a financial mechanism to support the start up and development of community-based renewable energy projects,” says Deborah Doncaster, Executive Director of the Community Power Fund. “We look forward to receiving some robust proposals.”

Ms Doncaster, formerly the Executive Director of the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association, is the driving force behind the creation of this fund.

The Community Power Fund’s original endowment was advanced in March 2007 from the Ontario Government in the amount of $3 million.

“We appreciate the vision of the provincial government in endowing the start up dollars for community power development,” says Joyce McLean, Chair of the Community Power Fund.

The intention of the fund is to attract additional capital in order to transition the fund into a long-term, sustainable financial organization that provides a combination of grants, loans and investment opportunities.

“Communities are great incubators of sustainable concepts. The Community Power Fund can now help turn those concepts into reality,” says Dr. David Suzuki, Chair of the David Suzuki Foundation. “This groundbreaking Community Power Fund is a small step to a more sustainable future. Let’s hope it inspires similar funds to reward ecological ingenuity and renewable energy projects.”

Details about the Community Power Fund’s programs can be found at www.cpfund.ca.

Written by Ryan · Filed Under Community, Conservation, The Area, The City, The Environment 

Comments

One Response to “Community Owned Renewable Energy Projects”

  1. Brian Mello Says:
    September 19th, 2007 at 7:34 pm

    Hello. here’s some answers for you. Go to http://www.encoreenergyinc.com when there, click on the Demarco Energy Miser video. Community power projects can cut 70% off current utility expenses. Geothermal technology, no drilling no trenching. You can easily cut out the other 30% with PV panels and you are self supportive. Any questions, please feel free to contact me.

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