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CELC Edition
CELC has had a bustling month filled with exciting initiatives! From informative webinars spotlighting energy conservation in schools to our recent collaboration with the National USGBC Cities Program and USGBC Texas for a productive networking luncheon, there's plenty to dive into in this edition of our newsletter. Stay tuned as we unpack the highlights and insights from our recent endeavors.
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In this newsletter:
- Upcoming Webinars and Events
- CELC Member Earth Day Events
- Resources: Training, News, Reports, and Toolkits
- Job and Grant Opportunities
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Eco-Educate: Empowering Schools for Energy Conservation
April 11 at 10:00 AM CST
Learn how your organization and schools can implement this program to reduce energy consumption and behaviour change. Influence and enrich student’s understanding of energy concepts, and contributed to the broader educational goals of the district. Representatives from the Austin Independent School District present the outcomes and impact of the "All-Stars" program. Austin Energy proudly supports the All-Stars Program, a unique opportunity for teachers, students, and families to delve into energy efficiency. Tailored for 6th-grade students, this program combines an in-class curriculum with a take-home kit packed with energy-efficient products.
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TECCC Meeting: Save the Date! | |
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SPEER aims to promote energy code compliance across TX & OK by optimizing energy efficiency, durability, and affordability. Save the date for our upcoming in-person Texas Energy Code Compliance Collaborative (TECCC) meeting on April 18th! By facilitating the collaboration, SPEER connects industry stakeholders to help develop resources and programs that encourage compliance with state and local energy codes. This group of collaborative members meets quarterly and aids with the following efforts:
- Develop strategies to increase compliance rates & resiliency
- Provide and disseminate information to their respective industry stakeholders
- Participate in the effort to measure and verify the State’s code compliance
We will be combining TECCC with our Ambassador meeting as well, which you can learn more about here, and we invite you to consider becoming become a SPEER Energy Code Ambassador. The meeting will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn Austin - Round Rock: 2310 N. IH 35. Please let us know if you plan to join us for both the TECCC and Ambassador meeting: Register here!
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CELC Members Celebrate Earth Day
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University of Texas at Arlington's Virtual 2024 Earth Day Event
The University of Texas at Arlington's Environmental Training Institute offers compliance training for those managing environmental challenges or implementing environmental regulations in Air, Waste, Water, Management, and Sustainability. The The free annual Earth Day informative session features prominent industry professionals who will share their insights, experiences, and initiatives toward a sustainable world. This will be an exciting event with an opportunity for collaboration with both seasoned and entry-level environmental professionals, as well as our university students. Attendees will earn a certificate of attendance with 0.4 hours of CEUs.
Date: Monday, April 22, 2024
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CAPCOG Air Quality Earth Day Blurbs
- Avoiding High-Emission Driving Practices by obeying the speed limit, accelerating and braking gently and gradually, and driving slower on unpaved roads to avoid creating excess dust;
- Limiting Vehicle Idling. Running your engine when you’re not driving reduces your vehicle’s fuel economy, costs you money, and creates pollution;
- Maintaining Your Vehicle. Keep your tires properly inflated, change your oil regularly, and have your engine tuned up regularly;
- Buying Cleaner Gasoline. During peak ozone season, you can help reduce your vehicle’s emissions by purchasing higher grades of gasoline (medium or premium);
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Buying and using cleaner vehicles. Consider using the cleanest vehicle available when purchasing, renting, or using a vehicle.
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ENERGY STAR Earth Day Toolkit
The EPA is pleased to share our plans for Earth Day 2024, including an updated ENERGY STAR Earth Day toolkit with instructions on how you can get involved.
The EPA is excited to feature the new home improvement savings tool at energystar.gov/HomeSavings. This zip-code-based web resource brings all the incentives found in the popular ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder together with information on tax credits, state rebates as they become available, and home upgrade guidance—essentially everything a homeowner needs to start the upgrade process.
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Resources: Training, News, Reports, and Toolkits | |
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Exciting Opportunity for Energy Efficiency: Are You an EECBG Applicant?
The EECBG Program provides formula grant allocations to state, local, and Tribal governments to support projects aimed at reducing fossil fuel emissions, improving energy efficiency, and decreasing overall energy consumption. This presents an invaluable opportunity for eligible entities to access funding for initiatives that align with these goals. We are pleased to share that the Department of Energy (DOE) has allocated over 4 million dollars to the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) for distribution. For further information and assistance regarding EECBG funding opportunities, we encourage you to reach out to Justin Gamboa, Contract Manager Energy Code Specialist at SECO,
Check out this spreadsheet to see who was awarded EECBG!
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Energy Efficient Roofing Workshop
AACOG invites you to join us for an informative workshop on roofing options that provide significant cost savings and energy efficiency advantages. Attendees will gain valuable insights into green roofs and cool roofs, learning firsthand from expert speakers about the installation process, their benefits, and how these roofing solutions can effectively combat urban heat islands to keep cities cooler.
When: Thursday, April 18th from 10-12:00pm
Where: 2700 NE Interstate 410 Loop, Suite 101, San Antonio, TX 78217
Speakers: Kristen Brown, University of Texas at San Antonio, Chad McMahon, LiveRoof Texas, John Follis, Harvest Innovative Solutions
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Workforce Development Brought to You by USGBC Partners
CEU: 1 CE credit
As we focus on the future of green building, it is abundantly clear that we must educate, train and advocate for a strong, resilient pipeline of green building leaders. Efforts taken in the present to engage with students, local municipalities and underserved communities will address these challenges and benefit the green building industry for years to come. Learn from USGBC partners who are developing innovative approaches to supporting the future green economy.
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DOE Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) program
This program was just launched with three new cohorts:
· Charting a path to municipal fleet electrification
· Designing and enhancing energy efficiency programs for residential buildings
· Implementing an agrivoltaics project
Similar to the previous round, participants in these cohorts will receive free strategic and technical assistance, access to materials and resources, including templates, training, tools, best practices, and analyses, and the chance to collaborate with others across the United States tackling similar challenges.
Applications are due by 4/30, and this new round of cohorts will be reviewed via webinar on 4/10.
For more information, check out this link
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DOE Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) program
This program was just launched with three new cohorts:
· Charting a path to municipal fleet electrification
· Designing and enhancing energy efficiency programs for residential buildings
· Implementing an agrivoltaics project
Similar to the previous round, participants in these cohorts will receive free strategic and technical assistance, access to materials and resources, including templates, training, tools, best practices, and analyses, and the chance to collaborate with others across the United States tackling similar challenges.
Applications are due by 4/30, and this new round of cohorts will be reviewed via webinar on 4/10.
For more information, check out this link
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DOE Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) program
This program was just launched with three new cohorts:
· Charting a path to municipal fleet electrification
· Designing and enhancing energy efficiency programs for residential buildings
· Implementing an agrivoltaics project
Similar to the previous round, participants in these cohorts will receive free strategic and technical assistance, access to materials and resources, including templates, training, tools, best practices, and analyses, and the chance to collaborate with others across the United States tackling similar challenges.
Applications are due by 4/30, and this new round of cohorts will be reviewed via webinar on 4/10.
For more information, check out this link
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DOE Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) program
This program was just launched with three new cohorts:
· Charting a path to municipal fleet electrification
· Designing and enhancing energy efficiency programs for residential buildings
· Implementing an agrivoltaics project
Similar to the previous round, participants in these cohorts will receive free strategic and technical assistance, access to materials and resources, including templates, training, tools, best practices, and analyses, and the chance to collaborate with others across the United States tackling similar challenges.
Applications are due by 4/30, and this new round of cohorts will be reviewed via webinar on 4/10.
For more information, check out this link
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Industry Report: Heat Pump Deployment
The National Public Utilities Council (NPUC) has produced industry-leading guidance to help utilities achieve their climate objectives. Dive into thier latest industry report to explore the difficulties of these challenges and discover best practices that could revolutionize heat pump deployment, driving us closer to our decarbonization goals.
Click here for the report.
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Directory of Solar Energy Technical Assistance Available to Community-Based Organizations
Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) has compiled currently available technical assistance opportunities for CBOs pursuing solar energy, though all of these opportunities offer clean energy technical assistance beyond solar. Each listing below identifies who is providing the technical assistance, the program location, who is eligible, and more.
Link to Directory
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Job and Grant Opportunities | |
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EPA Grants
Every year, EPA awards more than $4 billion in funding for grants and other assistance agreements. From small non-profit organizations to large state governments, EPA works to help many visionary organizations achieve their environmental goals. With countless success stories over the years, EPA grants remain a chief tool to protect human health and the environment.
Get started with EPA Grants Overview for Applicants and Recipients.
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