Communities throughout the region received funding out of a pot of more than $6.5 million in the latest round of grants through the Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program, announced Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development earlier this week.

The Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program is a conditional grant program that provides funding to communities who have signed the Climate Action Charter and have reported publicly on their progress toward meeting their climate action goals. Communities receive a grant equivalent to 100% of the carbon tax they pay directly.

Since 2008, this provincial fund has provided more than $32.5 million to help support B.C. communities’ efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and work toward their Climate Action Charter goals. To date, 96% of communities in B.C. have signed the Climate Action Charter.

Receiving funds in the East Kootenay and near by: Village of Canal Flats – $2,768; City of Cranbrook – $62,763; Creston – $8,732; District of Elkford – $23,952; City of Fernie – $36,117; Golden – $9,689; District of Invermere – $6,506; City of Kimberley – $30,628; Village of Radium Hot Springs – $1,064; District of Sparwood – $23,197; Regional District of East Kootenay – $10,523.

“As we celebrate Earth Day, we also celebrate local governments throughout the province who are rising to the challenge of climate action and with support from the Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program are creating complete, compact energy-efficient communities for generations to come. Through our collaborative efforts with UBCM and local governments we are reducing greenhouse gas emissions in B.C. communities and creating a healthier, greener province,” Oakes stated.

“In B.C., local governments have influence over about 40% of all greenhouse gas emissions. The province works closely with them as many of the decisions that result in the biggest GHG emissions reductions come from the leadership of our cities and communities. The Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program is part of our Climate Action Plan, which set the global standard for climate action. Now, as B.C. embarks on developing Climate Action Plan 2.0, we look forward to hearing from communities on how we can make our climate collaboration with them even better,” added Minister of Environment Mary Polak.

For a complete list of grants go to: http://ow.ly/LW4iC.

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