Integrating Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy (EE/RE) Technologies Into Community Infrastructure Projects

Project Funding Criteria

Preference will be given to projects that are formally included in the First Nations Infrastructure Investment Plan (FNIIP), which is managed by INAC's Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program. If the project is not part of the FNIIP, the project submission must include band planning documents, provincial or territorial documents, or any other documents that demonstrate funding approval, a timeline for the project and other formal support for the project from the community.

This stream of fundingwill provide funds for projects where an EE/RE component is added to a new or existing (through a retrofit) community building in a community, such as community and/or health centers, schools, water treatment plants, band offices, arenas, or other community facilities such as these which are used by the community.

Note: No funds will be provided for housing projects.

Approval

For funding in fiscal year 2010-2011, project submissions must be received by the program on or before October 1, 2010, and will go through a technical review for project viability and benefits. Projects are approved on a case-by-case basis based on the quality of the proposal. For a project to be approved, it must demonstrate high energy cost savings (O&M savings per year for the community) and advantageous payback periods.

The project funds from ecoENERGY for Aboriginal and Northern Communities must be utilized in the government fiscal year in which they are approved and transferred with a maximum total funding of up to $100,000 per qualifying project. A community may apply for more than one project (different infrastructure in the same community) in the same fiscal year.

For 2010-2011, the maximum contribution per project is set at $100,000. Funds may be used for the design, purchase and/or installation of the said technology.

Supporting Documents

A Band Council Resolution must accompany all proposals at the time of submission. If no Band Council Resolution is feasible due to the nature of the eligible organization, other written resolutions or a letter from the Chief or Head of Community, which clearly demonstrates support for the said project, will be accepted and must accompany all proposals at time of submission.

A RETScreen analysis is mandatory and must be included with the proposal. The RETScreen is used for due diligence to demonstrate the financial and technical viability of projects for the communities. RETScreen is an electronic assessment tool developed by Natural Resources Canada to evaluate various EE/RE technologies. The RETScreen should clearly include:

• the energy savings attributable to the incorporation of the EE/RE technology (or projected energy savings);
• the GHG savings (or projected GHG savings);
• the displaced fuel amount (or projected displaced fuel amount);
• the actual or projected O&M savings.

RETScreen is free software available through Natural Resources Canada  .

Proven Technologies

The EE/RE technology must be a proven technology; no funding is available for research and development. Examples of these are ground source heat pumps, solar walls, solar hot water heating, solar photovoltaic installations, district heating/waste heat recovery and other commercially proven EE/RE technologies.

Other Funding Criteria

Preference will be given to projects where it is demonstrated that the saved O&M is re-invested into the community into other energy-related initiatives, to those who have already incorporated EE/RE into their designs and require funding for those technologies, and for projects that are at the design phase. (Note: it is estimated that incorporating EE/RE into infrastructure at the design stage is the most cost-effective option).

It is also important to demonstrate if projects have a high likelihood of proceeding to implementation, since this will be considered in the approval process.

The recipient agrees to recognize the contribution made by the ecoENERGY for Aboriginal and Northern Communities Program in any communications and promotional literature produced by the community associated with the project and its activities in general.

Who Can Apply

The eligible organizations are:

• Aboriginal and Northern Communities;
• Band Councils;
• Tribal Councils;
• National Aboriginal Organizations and other Aboriginal Organizations, including Professional Organizations;
• Aboriginal Community Groups (volunteer groups, community associations and institutions);
• Territorial Governments and northern organizations; and
• Aboriginal businesses and Aboriginal industries.

Funding will not be provided for projects where the benefit does not accrue to the community and/or band.

To define ‘Aboriginal Business', the ecoENERGY for Aboriginal and Northern Communities Program uses the definition provided by Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business (PSAB) where an Aboriginal Business can be incorporated or not and includes a sole proprietorship, limited company, co-operative, partnership, or not-for-profit organization. To be considered an Aboriginal Business, a firm must meet the following criteria:

1) At least 51 percent of the firm is owned and controlled by Aboriginal people;

2) At least one third of the firm's employees, if it has six or more full-time staff, are Aboriginal. If a firm is starting a joint venture or consortium, at least 51 percent of the joint venture or consortium must be controlled and owned by an Aboriginal business or businesses, as defined above.

How To Apply

To send your application, please download the Word or .pdf document and send electronically to the Program's generic email address:
ecoENERGIE-ecoENERGY@ainc-inac.gc.ca

If necessary, faxed proposals will also be accepted. Please fax to (819) 953-2590. Please advise the Program by email, using the above email address, that a faxed proposal has been sent.

You will receive an acknowledgement by email that your proposal has been received.

Assistance from the technical person in charge of the project, and/or from the project manager may be necessary to write the project proposal; however, only community-driven proposals will be accepted. Completed (final version) templates will become part of the ecoENERGY for Aboriginal and Northern Communities Program project file.

The proposal template can also be found in this document as Appendix A.

INAC will utilize a system to promote, receive, review and assess projects submitted from INAC regions, communities and other proponents.

A sample template is available. This example should serve only as a guide and has been created in order to help demonstrate what the Program looks for in a properly completed proposal.

Transfer of funds

Where applicable, the funds for approved projects will be transferred through a financial transfer from the INAC Headquarters office to the INAC Regional Office. The Regional Office will the n make an amendment to an existing contribution funding arrangement to transfer the funds to the recipient. A new contribution funding arrangement will be created when none is in place.

The funds transferred are a contribution to the local community involved in the project, and will be made as a grant and will be non-repayable.

Reporting Requirements

A final report on the activities pertaining to the project and the detailed financial report are normally due on May 31st or June 30th following the year the funds were received. A discussion between the INAC Headquarters Office and the INAC Regional Office will determine the date that the reports are due, and the Recipient will be informed of the due date. Reports are to be sent to the appropriate person as listed in the contribution agreement.

The Recipient agrees to report on the project's progress twice in the year following approval at 6 month intervals. These reports shall consist of email correspondence to the Program's representative stating progress and benefits of the project.

Other contact information will be indicated if and when necessary.

Please ensure that you've included

• the completed proposal, including the budget breakdown and project timeline
• RETScreen analysis
• Band Council Resolution, or other accepted document

Contact Information

If you have any questions, please contact us at:
ecoENERGIE-ecoENERGY@ainc-inac.gc.ca