Clean energy program a window of opportunity

By Cal Braid
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Alberta Municipalities released their annual report for the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) and town council reviewed it during its May 26 meeting.

 In the report, it noted Taber’s project launch on Oct. 22, 2024 and provided an update for council on how the program was progressing overall. Facilities Manager Blake Hranac presented it to council.

 AbMunis described the program as “an innovative financing tool supporting the adoption of energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades in Alberta. The program gives residential and commercial property owners access to flexible, long-term financing through the municipality.”

 The loans are levied onto the owners’ property tax bills for repayment, and in the event of a property sale, the new owner assumes the property tax loan payments and then benefits from reduced energy costs.

 The legislative basis for the CEIP was established in 2018, and three million Albertans now have access to it due to the adoption of new municipal bylaws. Before passing a CEIP bylaw, each municipality must secure capital funding to finance eligible projects. So, while AbMunis is the program overseer, the municipality administers it.

 As of 2024, 12 cities, 12 towns, four counties/MDs, and one village had access to the program.During 2024, 425 projects were completed at an average loan cost of $26,195. Provincewide, 446 contractors are now listed in the program directory.

 Contractors perform HVAC upgrades, window and insulation installations, solar panel installations, and energy audits. Once a contractor has completed a verified CEIP job, he/she is paid by the municipality which in turn collects it back through the increased property tax rate.

  Coun. Firth asked Hranac about participation in the program and he said, “We had 14 applicants total, 12 pre-approved, for a total of $350,000 worth of project funding. These are still in the pre-approval stage, so we don’t have any completed projects yet. So, 12 in the queue.”

 Council simply received the update as information and no motion was required.