The previous subsection leads us neatly to this regional challenge. Due to the usage of fossil fuels, lack of energy efficiency awareness measures, and inefficient design, community members incur a significantly higher cost for their energy usage.

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Diesel generators are not highly efficient sources of power given their fuel consumption. In an era of constantly increasing fuel prices, this places a considerable financial weight on community members who are reliant on diesel for power generation.

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The lack of awareness regarding energy efficiency measures and demand side management, coupled with inefficient building design also contributes significantly to the problem of excessive energy costs. Because community members are unaware of various energy saving measures, their residences are not properly insulated and/or constructed at a time when energy efficiency was not a priority, leads to much higher energy costs for the rural Upper Skeena.

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This was found to be a common thread amongst all the case studies conducted; that community members place a very high priority on reducing their energy costs. Thus, it is important for the rural Upper Skeena to address the sources of these excessive costs and cut down community member’s energy bills. While energy awareness is crucial, it remains only part of the solution. Once residents are aware of the numerous demand side management measures they can undertake to reduce excessive costs, it is equally important that they have access to financial supports to aid them in their transition towards more energy efficient, well-insulated homes. It is for this purpose that a list of funding options for Kispiox community members has been compiled in Section 0.

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It should be noted that although many funding opportunities provide support to develop new homes and community buildings, the cost of building a more efficient structure can be cost prohibitive and can force communities and organizations to advance less efficient building options. As such, many homes and buildings require efficiency upgrades sooner in their lifespan than a more efficient option – resulting in higher energy costs for community members and inflated retrofit costs.

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As discussed in Section 10.1, a potential solution to support communities and residents in addressing this issue may be to offer an “energy mortgage” or funding and information support program. This program could allow communities and regional residents to complete efficiency upgrades with funding from their “energy mortgage”, which could then be repaid over time, similar to a typical loans or mortgages.