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Reducing reliance on diesel in rural and remote communities will decrease Canada’s carbon footprint, support climate change adaptation, contribute to healthier communities and provide new opportunities for jobs and economic growth.
Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Jim Carr, announced a call for proposals for the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program. The program will provide approximately $220 million in funding for initiatives to reduce reliance on diesel fuel in rural and remote communities, the majority of which are Indigenous. This funding builds on more than $53 million provided through Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada and is complemented by Infrastructure Canada’s $400 million Arctic Energy Fund, which is specific to the territories to help improve energy security in the North by replacing or upgrading aging fossil fuel energy infrastructure. The announcement is part of the government’s larger vision for Canada’s clean energy future, which will provide $21.9 billion over 11 years to support green infrastructure, drive clean growth and combat climate change. Funding of more than $600 million has been announced in the past few weeks for projects that include renewable power, smart electricity grids, alternative fuel charging stations and more energy efficient homes. Full Anouncement Utilizing geothermal energy from oil and gas wells has become a hot topic and is seeing increasing interest both from a development perspective, but also from a technical and government perspective. Earlier this week, the federal government in Canada announced funding for some research work on the topic. But to provide some details on what is talked about in this context, there is a good presentation shared yesterday. In it, Alison Thompson, Chair of the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA) provides background and details on geothermal energy could be utilised from oil and gas wells. Full ThinkGeoEnergy article Supporting technologies that advance environmental objectives, create jobs and stimulate growth in the clean technology sector is a priority for the Government of Canada.
On February 6, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), announced $400,000 for an engineering and design initiative to determine the viability of a Geothermal District Energy System in the Town of Hinton. The Government of Alberta and Alberta Innovates will provide a total of $800,000, bringing the investment amount for the Town of Hinton’s project to $1.2 million. The proposed system would produce renewable geothermal heat from marginally producing oil and gas wells to heat the town’s public buildings. Canada's Innovation Agenda promotes clean growth, good jobs and higher living standards for the middle class. The investment announced today is an example of this vision in action. Last week, the federal government announced a 5-year $700 million investment in clean technology through the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). The BDC will make investments in clean tech producers showing strong potential.
Canadian clean technology companies produce innovative and competitive technologies that use less energy or reduce negative impacts on the environment. Through this investment, BDC will take on more risk to help high-potential clean tech firms expand by providing them with the capital they need to hire new staff, develop products, support sales, and scale up and compete globally. Minister Bains, along with the Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of Natural Resources, also announced the launch of the Clean Growth Hub, the government’s focal point for clean technology. The Hub will focus on supporting companies and projects that produce clean technology, as well as coordinate existing programs and track results. Budget 2017 took steps to boost the growth of Canada’s clean technology producers. It set aside more than $2.3 billion for clean tech. That’s the largest public investment ever committed to this field in Canada. Investments in clean technology are part of the Government’s Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to create well-paying jobs for the middle class and those working hard to join it. Investments in clean technology also support the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. Full BDC announcement The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) and the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) are excited to announce their unification. Combining the GRC and GEA strengthens the voice of our industry with a single organization devoted to advancing the science, education, and development of renewable geothermal energy resources.
Members of both organizations voted on the decision to unify and the results were overwhelmingly in favor. They will benefit from an increased value for their dues and improved networking relationships as the geothermal community moves forward together. The activities of the GEA will be transitioned into the GRC in early 2018. One of the key activities is already underway through the establishment of a special committee, the GRC Policy Committee. This committee will focus on educating and lobbying leaders at state and federal levels to expand their knowledge about the geothermal industry. The committee will also assist the geothermal community in its awareness of opportunities to expand renewable energy projects, building a stronger platform for the entire U.S. energy grid. All members are encouraged to join in this new effort. Full News Release |
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December 2020
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