October 26th, 2022
Title: Community Energy Diesel Reduction (CEDR): Working Together for a Greener Tomorrow
Description: Join us to learn more about the new clean energy funding program, and the partnerships that developed through the program creation process.
The CEDR Program was funded and developed in partnership with Coast Funds and the B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation as part of the Ministry’s remote community energy strategy to achieve the CleanBC goal of reducing diesel electricity generation and heating in remote communities by 80% by 2030. The CEDR Program will also be co-delivered by Coast Funds who will focus on supporting the eligible remote communities in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii.
The CEDR Program provides non-repayable funding contributions for clean energy initiatives to eligible remote communities that are off-grid residential regions that rely on diesel fuel for electricity generation. British Columbia has approximately forty-four (44) remote communities, most of which are governed by First Nations. In 2019, BC remote communities consumed at least 19.1 million litres of diesel, emitting 51,784 tonnes CO2e.
Remote communities will have access to three funding streams to support them as they progress through various stages of their planning and implementation of their decarbonization projects. This will ensure remote communities have financial supports throughout the lifecycle of their energy projects that meets them at the stage where they are at, whether it be at the beginning, early, mid, or late stages of planning or implementation of their decarbonization projects.
Presenters: Selina Beltran and Sarah Powell
Presenters:
Selina Beltran
Selina Beltran is from Tsleil-Waututh Nation and graduated from the University of Victoria in 2019 with a major in Gender Studies. Selina works on the BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative (BCICEI) and the Community Energy Diesel Reduction (CEDR) programs with Sarah Powell. Selina is passionate about helping Indigenous and remote communities meet their energy goals.
Selina is also on the board of directors for two small organizations, the Coastal Research, Education, and Advocacy Network (CREAN) and the Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women Of Colour (SNIWWOC). CREAN is a non-profit organization dedicated to community-based research, education, and advocacy. SNIWWOC is a non-profit organization that focuses on reproductive justice and the empowerment of women in Victoria and Vancouver.
Sarah Powell
Sarah Powell is a member of the Taku River Tlingit First Nation and currently resides in Prince George, BC. She graduated from the University of Victoria and has a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Geography and a minor in Indigenous Studies. Sarah joined the New Relationship Trust in 2020 through the Indigenous Youth Internship Program (IYIP) after her Ministry of Transportation placement. She now works at the Senior Associate level as a Program Specialist administering the BC Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative (BCICEI), and the Community Energy Diesel Reduction (CEDR) Program. Sarah’s goal through her work is to assist Nations on their journey to energy self-sovereignty and reduce community reliance on diesel. Previously, Sarah worked with NRT’s education initiatives and corporate services, and for the BC Wildfire Service as a dispatcher at the Cariboo Fire Centre.
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