Sustainable Communities Program

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Now is the time to embrace energy conservation, instil a conservation culture and create a sustainable future for generations to come. The Power Smart Sustainable Communities Program offers a range of services to help local governments make smart choices about energy management and efficiency community-wide.

Partnering with BC Hydro to better manage energy consumption provides local governments with access to BC Hydro's energy efficiency technical guidance and workshops, along with financial support for specific initiatives.

"Local governments have the opportunity to influence how communities are developed and energy efficiency is a part of that development," said Michael Travers, Manager, Power Smart Community Marketing at BC Hydro. "Governments can have a profound impact on the energy use in the communities that they lead."

Available resources

Funds and resources are available for Community Energy and Emissions Plans (CEEP), which are comprehensive, long-term plans designed to limit energy consumption and the creation of greenhouse gases, and to improve energy efficiency; Community Energy Managers, a designated resource in the local administration responsible for implementation of the CEEP, or other energy solutions and policy options; and District Energy Systems (available soon), for which BC Hydro will provide funding to assess whether a district energy system is a viable choice for energy efficiency and community benefits, and capital incentives to aid in implementation of the system.

Program benefits

These resources support communities to achieve the following significant long-term benefits, including reducing energy and electricity consumption, as well as greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs); improved budgeting and reduced costs; creating jobs and stimulating the local economy; improved energy security and local control over energy decision-making; demonstrating sound local governance; attracting potential residents and businesses; and creating compact, complete communities. In addition, District Energy Systems can be a community asset that will generate community income for decades to come, providing long-term, stable income and cash flow stability.

Eligibility

The Community Energy and Emissions Planning (CEEP) and Community Energy Manager (CEM) portions of the Power Smart Sustainable Communities Program is open to local governments (including regional districts) within the BC Hydro service territory.

Preference is given to municipalities that are ready to move into action. Some portions of the program are more suited to larger communities (population more than 20,000), although specific situations may warrant exception.

The District Energy Offer will be available soon and will be open to project sites that are situated in the BC Hydro service territory. Local governments (including Regional Districts), developers, and institutions are eligible to apply for funding.

For more information, or to discuss your community's needs and its suitability for the Power Smart Sustainable Communities Program, please contact your Key Account Manager or call 604 522 4713 in the Lower Mainland, 1 866 522 4713 elsewhere in B.C.