A community energy plan is a comprehensive long-term plan to improve energy efficiency, reduce electricity consumption and assess opportunities for green energy solutions. A community energy plan can help communities develop long-term plans that include ways to use less electricity, manage energy costs, explore new opportunities, and help the environment. The plan can also promote a greater interest, awareness and understanding of energy planning in your community. It will encourage community members to become involved in developing and implementing the plan.

In 2013, the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan applied to IESO to fund a Community Energy Plan. Their proposal was selected as one of the winning proposals in April 2014.

The ACEP Program is a proposal-based program where an Aboriginal community or organization may submit a proposal for funding to develop or update an existing Aboriginal community energy plan. (More details about this in Lesson 9: Funding Sources).

How much funding is available under the Aboriginal Community Energy Plan Program?

Proponents can qualify for the maximum funding amount:
(A) up to $90,000.00 per community for developing a new community energy plan or (B) up to $25,000.00 per community to undertake updates to an existing community energy plan.

What kinds of costs are eligible for funding under the ACEP?

The ACEP Program will fund the development or updates of a community energy plan that includes (but is not limited to activities such as: costs incurred for community involvement through presentation or communication on educational and implementation aspects of the energy plan to the community. development of a community profile for energy planning. acquiring energy related records for the purpose of energy planning (utility bills, fuel deliveries, vehicle logs, housing stock, etc.); acquiring energy auditing records (engineering, screening level, heating season/winter, etc.); acquiring growth projections data (load, population, etc.); and costs incurred for implementation strategies in the community energy plan

Lisa Meness Kohoko was the honoured recipient of the Queen's Golden Jubilee medal, a commemoration of Queen Elizabeth II's 50th anniversary on the throne. Lisa was awarded the medal for her significant contributions to Turtle Island, the community and to her fellow citizens. Lisa was the second elected female Chief in the history of this community. She sat on Council for eight years prior.

Lisa has been employed as the Funding Research Coordinator since 2003. She played a key role in developing the MicroFIT Solar program at Pikwakanagan.

She talks about her experiences with the program in the next few screens.

Is the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation interested in Community Energy Planning?

The Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation has an approved comprehensive community plan identifying community priority. In that plan, the community members have stated that they want to live in a cleaner environment and support efforts to become a greener community.

Our people see this as essential to their character and beliefs and the First Nation's responsibility to protect Mother Earth for future generations.

How does Community Energy Planning align with community values?

We do not own the land; we borrow it from our children.

The identified community goals are:
For the community to become an advocate for a green community by reducing energy and using more renewable energy sources. To adapt the built environment to improve both energy use and efficiency. To develop a clean energy plan.

How did you educate yourself about Community Energy Planning?

Once the Aboriginal Community Energy Plan announcement was made, I reviewed the guidelines and the scope of the program, only to find that they coincided with Pikwakanagan's values and priorities.

Upon review of the application form, I realised that this was a very technical application and that I would need assistance to complete the form. JAZZ Solar agreed to assist with the application process.

What were the priorities in the Energy Plan?

The priorities in the energy plan were to develop a Community Energy Plan that:

Identifies and promotes energy conservation measures Identifies resources for infrastructure improvements for energy use and efficiency Assessment of the feasibility of establishing community renewable energy projects

Did you do it yourself or contract it? Why?

The application was approved by IESO (formerly known as Ontario Power Authority).

Upon approval, the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation contracted the services of Jazz Solar to complete the task in the energy plan, as PIK does not have the capacity to complete the analysis and testing alone.

How did you educate the Chief and Council?

The Chief and Council were advised of the project approval by Lisa Meness. She presented the project's scope in a briefing note, highlighting the activities that were going to be completed.

Lisa also informed the community of the project's approval and identified the action to occur where we needed the members' assistance.

What decisions and feedback did the Chief and Council give you?

The Chief and Council supported the project as this would provide cost savings for the organisation and the band members.

How did you decide to manage the project?

The project is managed in-house with an external partner.

How did you choose your energy partner?

JAZZ Solar Solutions was a natural selection. We have successfully completed many projects before this.

How long did it take from Application to Approvals?

The approval process took about 4-6 months.

Did you use community members for the work? How did you train them?

We used community members to complete community infrastructure assessments. No training was required as the member was an electrician.

What are the results to date?

So far, if all the recommendations are implemented, it may result in the First Nation saving over $40,000 in operations and maintenance fees after repairs and adjustments.