Sixteen communities in B.C. will share  nearly half a million dollars in funding from the Provincial government for projects designed to increase energy efficiency and lay the groundwork for  community energy projects.

Eleven communities are new to the program and five communities already part of the Community Action on Energy Efficiency (CAEE) program will receive  extra funds to expand their programs.

The newcomers include Kamloops  and the District of Vanderhoof.

The others who are  geting extra funding include Kelowna and Smithers

The funding was announced this morning at the Union of BC Municipalities convention by  the Petroleum Resources Minister Richard Neufeld and Community Services Minister Ida Chong.