[getsmart-l] ONTARIO: $3 million for community groups pursuing renewable energy

[Media Release]

Emacs!



Media Release - For Immediate Release


The Community Power Fund

$3 million for community groups pursuing renewable energy in Ontario

(Toronto, ON, September 17, 2007)  The Community Power Fund has 
launched today a new $3 million fund to support community-owned 
renewable energy projects in Ontario. This fund is the first of its 
kind in Canada.

Eligible renewable energy projects include those involving wind, 
solar photovoltaic and solar thermal, small-scale hydro, geothermal 
and biogas technologies. Incorporated groups, including farmers, 
First Nations and community groups, can apply.

The fund is operating two grant programs. The first is a Small Grant 
Program for feasibility studies and strategic opportunity 
exploration. Eligible applicants may receive up to $25,000 toward 
their projects. The second is a Large Grant Program to support 
project development, with the possibility of up to $300,000 in funding.

"I am delighted that there is now a financial mechanism to support 
the start up and development of community-based renewable energy 
projects," says Deborah Doncaster, Executive Director of the 
Community Power Fund. "We look forward to receiving some robust proposals."

Ms Doncaster, formerly the Executive Director of the Ontario 
Sustainable Energy Association, is the driving force behind the 
creation of this fund.

The Community Power Fund's original endowment was advanced in March 
2007 from the Ontario Government in the amount of $3 million.

"We appreciate the vision of the provincial government in endowing 
the start up dollars for community power development," says Joyce 
McLean, Chair of the Community Power Fund.

The intention of the fund is to attract additional capital in order 
to transition the fund into a long-term, sustainable financial 
organization that provides a combination of grants, loans and 
investment opportunities.

"Communities are great incubators of sustainable concepts. The 
Community Power Fund can now help turn those concepts into reality," 
says Dr. David Suzuki, Chair of the David Suzuki Foundation. "This 
groundbreaking Community Power Fund is a small step to a more 
sustainable future. Let's hope it inspires similar funds to reward 
ecological ingenuity and renewable energy projects."

Details about the Community Power Fund's programs can be found at 
www.cpfund.ca.

-30-

For information, please contact either:

Joyce McLean, Chair of the Community Power Fund, at 416-371-9909, 
jmclean at torontohydro.com

Deborah Doncaster, Executive Director of the Community Power Fund, at 
416-977-3154, deb at cpfund.ca


The Community Power Fund's mission is to provide financial and 
technical support to communities working to develop, build and own 
renewable energy projects. The Fund is grateful to the Government of 
Ontario for their efforts to support Community Power both in terms of 
the Fund and Ontario's Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program.


www.cpfund.ca
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