ON supports local renewable energy investment

Sep. 25, 2009, Toronto – The Ontario
government has introduced four new programs to provide assistance to community groups and
municipalities that are looking to build new renewable energy facilities. Two
of these programs target First Nations and Métis communities.

Under the Community Energy
Partnerships Program, community groups such as co-ops, nonprofit groups, and
local partnerships are eligible for one-time financial assistance of up to
$200,000 for project planning costs, including environmental and engineering
studies. Community-based projects are eligible to receive a graduated
incentive, based on the percentage of local ownership, of up to 1 cent/kWh in
addition to standard feed-in tariff rates.

The Municipal Renewable
Energy Program will provide support to municipalities for extra infrastructure
costs associated with renewable energy projects, for example, repairs to road
and drainage infrastructure and traffic management. This funding is intended to
cover costs over and above those that the project developers should bear.

Under the $250 million
Aboriginal Loan Guarantee Program, Aboriginal communities will be eligible for
loan guarantees that will allow them to take on equity participation in
renewable generation and transmission projects. The program will facilitate
Aboriginal ownership in energy projects by providing loan guarantees for up to
75% of an Aboriginal corporation's equity in an eligible project.

The Aboriginal Energy
Partnerships Program will build capacity and participation by providing funds
for community energy plans, feasibility studies, technical research, and
business plan development, and creating an Aboriginal Renewable Energy
Network.

Aboriginal communities
will also be eligible, under certain conditions, for price incentives as part
of the feed-in tariff program.