Community Energy Diesel Reduction (CEDR)

The Community Energy Diesel Reduction (CEDR) Program is an initiative by the New Relationship Trust (NRT), in partnership with BC Hydro and the Province of British Columbia, to provide non-repayable funding to remote Indigenous communities aiming to reduce their reliance on diesel for energy.

New Relationship Trust

Overview of the Community Energy Diesel Reduction (CEDR) program:

CEDR offers funding across three streams: Community Energy Planning (CEP) – This stream provides funding for developing or updating Community Energy Plans, helping communities establish a roadmap for energy reduction and sustainable practices. Demand-Side Management (DSM) – This stream supports energy efficiency upgrades, such as deep retrofits for residential and community buildings. Projects may include insulation improvements, better windows, or switching from oil furnaces to heat pumps. Communities can use this funding to reduce GHG emissions and dependency on diesel, covering both whole-home retrofits and specific upgrades. Renewable Energy Generation (REG) – This stream provides funds for renewable energy projects, from feasibility studies to full implementation, aiming to replace diesel-based electricity with renewable sources such as solar, wind, or hydro. CEDR is flexible and responsive to the unique needs of each community, offering options for communities to lead projects independently or work with preferred service providers through a “turn-key” approach, where CEDR assists in managing project installations directly. Funding Amount The CEDR Program funding limits per stream are: CEP: Up to $95,000 per community. DSM: Up to $500,000 per community per fiscal year. REG: Up to $4 million per community, covering various stages of renewable energy projects.

Benefits of the Community Energy Diesel Reduction (CEDR) program:

Capacity Building: Empowers communities to plan, manage, and sustain clean energy projects through mentorship and local capacity-building initiatives.
Energy Efficiency: Supports projects that reduce electricity consumption and transition from diesel, decreasing fuel costs and GHG emissions.
Renewable Energy Development: Enables communities to explore, plan, and implement renewable energy systems, fostering long-term energy independence.
Flexible Project Management: Communities can opt for a turn-key approach with CEDRs support or manage projects independently, selecting their contractors and consultants.

Eligibility criteria of the Community Energy Diesel Reduction (CEDR) program:

Eligible applicants include:
Remote Indigenous communities in British Columbia that rely on diesel for electricity generation.
Projects must align with one or more CEDR streams (CEP, DSM, REG) and support a reduction in diesel use and environmental impact.