Ottawa is sending some cash up North to assist in two projects designed to reduce the Beaufort Delta's dependency on diesel for power and heat generation by exploring wind power generation in Paulatuk and establishing a biomass supply chain in Fort McPherson

NWT MP Michael McLeod announced two projects April 1 on behalf of Natural Resources (NRCan) Minister Seamus OSA国际影视传媒橰egan Jr. totalling over $640,000 in a press release.

Paulatuk Community Corporation will be receiving $442,000 for its part in the Beaufort Hamlet Energy Initiative. The funding will go towards establishing a community energy plan in conjunction with Ulukhaktok, promote energy literacy in the community and skill building.

Paulatuk Energy Working Group chair Ray Ruben said in the release the plan would focus on tapping into the communities powerful wind resources, noting the community has dubbed itself the "South Wind Capital."

"Winter winds often become so strong and persistent they create snowbanks huge enough to bury houses," he said. "Kids can literally walk on the roofs and toboggan down the banks."

Ruben added the idea had been in the works since 2007 when members of the community attended a GNWT-sponsored Wind Energy Conference in Tuktoyaktuk, where they met representatives from a community in Alaska which was using Wind power to heat their homes.

He added bringing Wind power to Paulatuk would help bring more self-sufficiency to the community and reduce the need to import fossil fuels from further south. It would also create long-term jobs and provide new skill building opportunities for the community.

"We are grateful to be part of NRCanSA国际影视传媒檚 Clean Energy for Remote and Rural Communities program," he said. "Thank you, Canada, for believing in us and our experts.SA国际影视传媒�

A second investment of $200,000 will be going to Rat River Development Corporation to build a wood chip supply chain. The plan is to use locally harvested willow trees to make wood chips for biomass systems to be used in heating and energy generation.

Rat River Development Corporation president Leslie Blake said the supply chain would create long-term jobs for the region in both the forestry and energy sector. She attributed the plan to the Teetl'lt Gwich'in Band's late

Rat River Development Corporation president Leslie Blake said the supply chain would create long-term jobs for the region in both the forestry and energy sector. She attributed the plan to the Teetl'lt Gwich'in Band's late Chief Johnny W. Kyikavichik, who had maintained the project as a long-term vision.

"With JohnnySA国际影视传媒檚 vision for willow heat and employment for community residents, we are moving forward in bio-energy as much as possible to realize the vision of self-sufficiency in alternative energy," she said, thanking NRCan for the contribution. "We look forward to our continued work with Natural Resources Canada and the Clean Energy for Remote and Rural Communities Program.SA国际影视传媒�

Both projects are funded out of NRCan's program, which is a $220 program designed to help rural and remote communities get away from diesel power generation, which is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.