The provincial government is contributing nearly $800,000 to support clean energy projects in three southern Vancouver Island First Nations.
The funding is going to the T’Sou-ke Nation near Sooke, the Pacheedaht First Nation near Port Renfrew and the Malahat Nation near Mill Bay.
The lion’s share of the funding, some $492,910, is going to the T’Sou-ke Nation to help build and install a solar power system that will be used at the nation’s Community Complex and Health Centre.
Meanwhile, the Pacheedaht First Nation will receive $149,961 to help install surge protectors and improve insulation in homes, and to host information events on clean energy options.
The Malahat Nation will also receive $149,646 to install heat pumps in homes, and to add rooftop solar panels to the community.
The total $792,000 in funding is coming from the province’s First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund.
“People in the T’Sou-ke, Pacheedaht and Malahat Nations will see real results from this investment in clean energy in their communities,” said Ravi Parmar, MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca in a release Friday.
“These projects will help people to utilize more clean energy and new cleaner technologies like heat pumps and solar roofing, and support community-led education and resources to make homes and neighbourhoods more energy efficient,” he said.
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