How To Apply for the First Nations Community Building Retrofit Program

The First Nations Community Building Retrofit Program (FNCBRP) is Save On Energy initiative from the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) group of programs that offers funding and support for energy efficiency upgrades and projects to eligible on-reserve First Nations communities. The Wasauksgin First Nation now sees over $25,000 in savings yearly thanks to lighting upgrades funded by this program! Check out their success here.

The FNCBRP program has two streams of funding: the Direct Install Stream and the Community Install Stream. The program offers up to $330,000 in funding including a Benchmark Report, Direct Install Site Visits, reports for Lighting and Lighting controls and installation, and support and funding for Community Install Stream Projects for other electric energy saving projects.

Are you interested in applying for your community? We’re happy to walk you through the application process.

Before we dive in, here are the eligibility requirements: 

• You must be an Ontario First Nations community connected to the provincial electricity grid.
• Commercial and institutional facilities must be located on band-owned land and operated for the use and benefit of the community.

Here’s an overview of the FNCBRP process and its benefits for communities!

1. The FNCBRP objective is to identify the band-owned commercial buildings (non-residential) that will save the most energy from the program funding. 
2. First, read the program requirements and sign the agreement, have the agreement signed by a signing officer, fill out the application (4 questions) with the list of buildings (up to 20) and supply a Band Council Resolution (BCR). 
3. After the application is approved, a kickoff meeting will be held with the First Nation. The Benchmarking Report is started using the information gathered from this initial meeting and the utility data. Through the Benchmark Report, the FNCBRP identifies which buildings use the most energy per square meter and compares the energy usage of each band-owned building and other similar buildings in Canada. 
4. A Benchmark Report will be supplied for review by the First Nation, making a recommendation to the First Nation on which buildings to consider including in the retrofit program (up to 15). The First Nation confirms which buildings they wish to be included and signs the Benchmark Report. 

Direct Install Stream

1. After the signed Benchmark Report is received and the buildings are chosen, the Direct Install Site visits are scheduled with the First Nation.
2. Site Visit Reports are supplied showing the value and estimated energy savings from the lighting retrofit. The Site Visit Reports will identify what lighting and lighting controls retrofits have potential within the programs criteria for the Direct Install Stream. The energy-efficient measures and funding amount depend on the reporting and program criteria.
3. The First Nation then can choose the buildings for the retrofit installation and send a signed copy of the site visit/project plans to initiate the installation.
4. The installation of the retrofits will be begin, including all materials and labour for the project. The FNCBRP lighting partner will try to use a local contractor of the First nations choosing. (any exceptions will be identified in the report)

Note: The less energy efficient the community buildings are, the more potential the building will have in energy efficiency and funding.

Community Install Stream 

The First Nation is responsible for the entire project and installation (quotes, reports, contracts and payment) with support from the FNCBRP program partner.

Community Install Stream projects must be for retrofits resulting in electrical savings from energy efficiency improvements in the chosen community buildings. The CI track requires more analysis, a detailed engineering study and a possible Measurement and Verification (M&V) plan. Following approval, the participant can choose which install track option and energy efficiency measures to proceed with up to $10,000 of the $330,000 in funding is available to conduct studies for the Community Install Stream projects.

The DI installation is completed at no cost and the CI costs are reimbursed within the program requirements.

If you have any questions about your application, learn more on the Frequently Asked Questions page. Or reach out at 705-330-6802 or info@FNretrofitprogram.ca.