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Hello CELC Members and Partners,
With election season now behind us and Thanksgiving just around the corner, November is feeling as festive as ever. I’ve been enjoying some cozy comfort food and looking forward to even more as we ease into the end of the month!
As we dive into the work of energy efficiency, supporting government agencies, and strengthening communities, know that our commitment remains steady regardless of changes in administration. This month's newsletter is packed with upcoming funding-focused webinars, valuable resources, and key events to help you make an impact.
Get involved with TEA-UP, our exciting new program for Texas universities, or explore funding guidance for energy upgrades in K-12 schools. Don't miss our curated reading list on energy insights, plus check out the latest job openings to advance your career.
👀 Read on to fuel your November!
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In this newsletter:
- Texas Energy Advocates – University Program (TEA-UP)
- Mark Your Calendar: Exciting CELC Opportunities Ahead
- Spotlight on CELC: Member Events and Updates
- Resources
- What We're Reading: Insights and Inspiration
- Career Moves: Hot Opportunities and Job Openings You Should Know
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Texas Energy Advocates - University Program (TEA-UP) | |
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Join TEA-UP:
Membership is now open for TEA-UP, a dynamic new network for higher education institutions across Texas! By joining, you’ll receive the same benefits as our CELC members, plus exclusive opportunities to connect within a higher education-focused community. As a TEA-UP member, you’ll have the chance to influence the upcoming conference agenda and ensure that the topics and issues most important to your campus are addressed. Additionally, you'll contribute to the development of essential training materials, shaping workforce development pathways that empower the next generation of energy professionals.
Apply here.
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Mark Your Calendar: Exciting CELC Opportunities Ahead | |
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CELC Part-Time Position: Community Efficiency Leadership Associate
We are looking for a part-time candidate to help with our Local Government CELC (Community Efficiency Leadership Coalition) program! This individual will provide technical support & undertake research or convene meetings and forums for educational purposes regarding local government energy efficiency and sustainability. Join our team and make an impact on our environment and community today! Learn more about the position and apply here.
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CELC Webinar - Empowering Change: Sustainable Financing Mechanisms for Texas Communities
November 14 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Join us for an insightful webinar introducing the Clean Energy Fund of Texas (CEFTX), a national leader in promoting clean energy solutions. During this session, you’ll learn who they are, what drives their mission, and the impactful programs they offer that enable communities to access sustainable financing and drive energy efficiency.
In this webinar, you’ll:
- Explore Sustainable Financing Accelerator and learn how it helps communities secure resources for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
- Gain insight into statewide efforts to support local clean energy initiatives that stimulate economic growth and foster resilient communities.
- Understand how financing options empower residents in Texas and Oklahoma to make clean energy upgrades.
Who Should Attend: Whether you’re a community leader, financial professional, or clean energy advocate, this webinar offers a valuable opportunity to learn about impactful, sustainable financing tools and explore ways we can collaborate for a cleaner, greener future.
Register here.
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SPEER Member Webinar
Thursday, Nov. 21st @ 1:00 PM CT
Join SPEER member Pearl Certification as they co-host a webinar with the Energy Efficiency Alliance, "Homeowner Engagement for Energy Efficiency Market Transformation."
It’s an exciting time for home energy efficiency, with increased tax credits available to consumers and states rolling out their federally-funded Home Energy Rebate programs. These programs will boost the market for home efficiency and electrification upgrades, but how can states, advocates, and the private sector spur a market transformation that will encourage sustained homeowner interest and commitment to efficiency after the rebate funding is expended? We need to lay the groundwork now, and one key piece will be engaging homeowners effectively.
Register here.
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CELC Webinar - Maximizing Your Grant Success From Application to Award
December 5 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Unlock the keys to grant success! Join SPEER and Learn Design Apply Inc., a leading grant consulting firm, for an engaging and informative webinar on navigating the complex world of funding opportunities. Whether you’re new to the grant process or looking to sharpen your skills, this session is designed to guide you through the entire grant lifecycle.
Topics covered will include:
- An overview of the current energy grant landscape and available funding sources
- Proven strategies for crafting compelling and successful grant applications
- Essential tips for effective post-award management and compliance
- Alternative pathways and strategies for leveraging unsuccessful applications
This comprehensive webinar offers valuable insights for professionals across the energy sector, helping you stay competitive in a rapidly evolving grant environment. Don’t miss this opportunity to boost your grant-writing and management expertise!
Presenter: Megan Beresford
Register here.
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Missed Our CELC Webinar on The Future of Hydrogen in Texas: Navigating New Policies and Opportunities?
No worries! Catch up on this insightful session and others by subscribing to our YouTube Channel. Stay informed with the latest CELC webinars covering key energy topics and opportunities in Texas and beyond.
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Share Your Expertise: Call for Webinar Presenters | |
Unleash your knowledge! We're seeking passionate experts to lead our upcoming webinars. If you're an industry leader with insights to share, we want to hear from you. Join us in inspiring and educating our community. Submit your proposal now! | |
Spotlight on CELC: Member Events and Updates | |
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NCTCOG Achieves Silver SolSmart Designation for Advancing Solar Energy in North Texas!
The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) has received a Silver designation from the national SolSmart program for encouraging the growth of clean, affordable solar energy! A Silver designation shows they have met national best practices to encourage solar energy use at the local level.
Along with assistance from World Resources Institute (WRI) and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), NCTCOG hosted and promoted SolSmart trainings and created a cohort of local municipalities to help them achieve the criteria necessary for SolSmart designation.
SolSmart is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) program led by ICMA - International City/County Management Association and Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). NCTCOG worked with SolSmart's no-cost technical assistance team to increase local knowledge of solar energy so the entire community can benefit.
NCTCOG joins nearly 500 cities, towns, and regional organizations that have achieved SolSmart designation for their solar energy leadership. In Texas and Oklahoma, there are 15 SolSmart designees. NCTCOG encourages your city, town, county, or regional organization to join the SolSmart program today!
Visit IREC's SolSmart page for more information.
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NCTCOG Resilient EV Charging and Minimizing Grid Impact Webinar
The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is hosting a webinar on the topic of resilient electric vehicle (EV) charging. It will cover important topics such as managed charging, demand response, and distributed energy resources (DERs). Come learn how these strategies and technologies can help mitigate energy impacts on the Texas grid and ensure EV charging availability during outages, especially as EV adoption and other energy demands continue to rise.
Date: Wednesday, December 4
Time: 10:00 - 11:00 AM CST
Format: Virtual via Zoom
Register here.
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Higher Education Curriculum Toolkit
Resources and activities to prepare higher education students for 21st century careers in green building and sustainability industries.
Dive in here.
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AESP is helping you elevate your expertise with FLEX's premium quality online courses. Dive into the world of demand flexibility, learning about connected water heaters, lighting, HVAC systems, and distributed energy resources like solar and EVSE.
Thanks to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) this is cost-free, convenient, and designed for tomorrow's energy efficiency leaders.
Expand your knowledge and learn more now.
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Enhance Your Skills with Building Operator Certification! | |
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The Building Operator Certification training provides building operators with skill enhancement in energy-efficient building operations. Operations & maintenance best practices can save 5-20% annually on energy bills but buildings can only be operated efficiently if the building operator is properly trained.
BOC graduates make their buildings more comfortable, efficient, and environmentally friendly. Save your spot for SPEER's winter BOC course beginning December 3rd! View the course syllabus.
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21st Annual Texas Energy Summit | |
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Please join us in Austin from November 19-21, 2024 for the 21st Annual Texas Energy Summit, hosted by Energy Systems Laboratory, a division of the Texas A&M University System.
This year’s summit will delve into the critical intersection of air quality and energy systems, encompassing all sectors, including the grid, transportation, oil and gas, and industrial energy use. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with experts, policymakers, and industry leaders as we explore innovative solutions and strategies for a sustainable energy future.
Register now to secure your spot.
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Empowering Rural Communities: USDA Rural Development Programs
USDA Rural Development invests in rural America through over 70 loan, grant, and loan guarantee programs, supporting communities across all states and territories. Their mission is to strengthen rural areas by empowering the people who call them home. Explore the full range of opportunities with this comprehensive presentation and matrix of all available programs.
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Financing Energy Upgrades for K-12 School Districts
This guide presents clean energy financing options for school administrators, facility managers and other K-12 school decision-makers who are considering investments in high-performance school projects. The focus is on comprehensive energy upgrades involving multiple measures targeted to achieving significant energy savings.
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Guidance: Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) Overview
Designed to help organizations learn about power purchase agreement (PPA) options, this overview document includes physical, virtual, and aggregate PPA information. The document also highlights case studies of successful PPA projects from three Better Buildings, Better Plants partners.
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SECO Opens Professional Engineering Services RFP
The State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 238L invites proposals from qualified, independent firms to provide professional energy engineering services to SECO’s administration of the State Energy Program: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Program. Respondents should specialize in conducting ASHRAE Level II Audits and should have extensive knowledge and working experience with conducting and analyzing energy savings reports. Respondents should be able to identify energy retrofitting projects compliant with federal guidelines set forth through Davis-Bacon Act (DBA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Build America, Buy America (BABA), and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) provisions.
Proposals due date: November 22, 2024
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What We're Reading: Insights and Inspiration | |
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Interactive Map of U.S. Power Plants
Synapse has developed a free-to-use interactive map of power plants in the United States using data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This map displays information on location, fuel type, electric generation, generating capacity, ownership, and emissions for over 9,900 power plants across the country.
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Toolkit: Emissions Reduction Planning
To better assist buildings and industry in organizing and implementing an Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) developed a set of essential tools and resources, collectively known as the Emissions Reduction Planning toolkit. This toolkit is designed to help organizations develop an ERP that is consistent with the Framework for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Planning. Explore the toolkit today and learn how your organization can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by developing an Emissions Reduction Plan.
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Career Moves:
Hot Opportunities and Job Openings You Should Know
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