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CELC Edition
This February, join us in honoring Black History Month by delving into discussions on achieving justice through community engagement. Our upcoming webinar will explore strategies for empowering marginalized communities and fostering equitable development. Additionally, we reflect on the devastating impact of Winter Storm Uri, which left millions without power and clean water. The Federal Government's commitment to directing 40 percent of certain investments towards disadvantaged communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and other burdens is a crucial step. Through stakeholder consultation, Justice40-covered programs will ensure meaningful community involvement in determining program benefits. Let's unite to create a more just and equitable future for all.
In this newsletter:
- Upcoming Webinars
- Training and Toolkits
- CELC Member Spotlight
- Grants and Funding Opportunities
- Job Opportunities
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Building a Fairer Future:
ο»ΏSurveying Equity in Local Government
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Join us in shaping the future of your community! Take part in our survey on equity in local governments and make your voice heard. Together, let's ensure fairness, inclusivity, and representation for all residents. Your feedback is crucial in building a more equitable and just society. Participate now and help pave the way towards a brighter, more inclusive future for our neighborhoods and municipalities. This survey has only four questions. | |
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Navigating SECO Energy Reporting - A Virtual Workshop
February 14th at 11:00 PM CST
Join us for a comprehensive virtual workshop designed to demystify energy reporting regulations in Texas. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the field, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the intricacies of energy reporting with confidence.
The workshop will cover a range of topics, including:
- Understanding Texas energy reporting requirements
- Best practices for accurate data collection and reporting
- Strategies and tips for avoiding common pitfalls
Speakers:
Shaun Auckland, Local Government Program Manager, SPEER
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CELC Webinar-Achieving Justice 40 through Community Engagement
February 22 at 1:00 PM CST
In the pursuit of a more just and inclusive society, the concept of βJustice 40β has emerged as a crucial framework. Justice 40 aims to ensure that at least 40% of the benefits from federal investments in areas such as clean energy, infrastructure, and environmental policies directly reach marginalized communities. This webinar explores the pivotal role of community engagement in achieving Justice 40, offering a comprehensive blueprint for empowering these communities and fostering equitable progress.
We'll discuss:
- Educate participants on the principles and goals of Justice 40 and its significance in achieving environmental and economic justice within communities.
- Highlight real-world examples of successful community engagement efforts that align with Justice 40 principles, showcasing diverse approaches and outcomes.
- Discuss the role of stakeholders, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, businesses, and community leaders, in driving meaningful community engagement.
Speakers:
- Larry Franklin- Black Lives Veggies the Nonprofit
- Laura Morrison- Executive Director, Texas Electric Transportation Resources Alliance (TxETRA)
- Janis Bookout- Co-founder of Community Resilience Trust (CRT) and the Director of Earth Day Austin
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Free In-Person Heat Pump Training Workshop
March 5th, at 10:30 am-3:00 pm
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Join us for an in-person training workshop on March 5th and expand your knowledge of heat pumps as we redefine the market and the role of modern heat pumps. Heat pumps are vital for improving building efficiency and helping stabilize our energy grid by reducing peak demand and grid stress as well as consumers bills.
Learn from the experts at Mitsubishi Electric Trade HVAC as they cover IRA/IIJA funding opportunities, discuss where is the market going, what is driving the market change, new heat pump technologies, and much more. Big thanks to our generous sponsor Austin Energy! Download our flyer to learn more and register now.
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Free Online Demand Flexibility Training | | |
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AESP is offering free, online courses that are convenient, and designed for energy efficiency leaders. Elevate your expertise with FLEX's accredited online courses and dive into topics such as water heaters, lighting, HVAC systems, and cutting-edge distributed energy resources (DERs) like solar, battery storage, and EVSE. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, FLEX FLEX's 3-course series offers flexible learning modules, and equips tomorrow's workforce with skills for grid-interactive energy technologies. | | |
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New WasteMAP Emissions Tool- WasteMAP
The Waste Methane Assessment Platform, or WasteMAP, was created by RMI and Clean Air Task Force, with funding from the Global Methane Hub, to improve waste methane emissions transparency, highlight mitigation opportunities and best practices to reduce solid waste methane emissions.
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TEMA Connect Scholarships
TEMA is offering a limited number of scholarships for TEMA Connect 2024, in College Station from April 30 - May 2, 2024 for Public Entity members. If interested in receiving the scholarship, which will cover your in-person conference registration, please complete all required sections of the application. There are also a limited number of lodging scholarships available. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Scholarship applications close March 8, 2024.
Scholarship Application
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CELC Member Spotlight, Travis County- Max Morales | | |
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Travis County, a proud member of CELC for years, continues to lead the way in Texas with its forward-thinking initiatives. With a Sustainable Purchasing Policy, internal and community-wide Greenhouse Gas Inventories, and ongoing climate action planning for both County operations and the broader community, they're setting a commendable example in advancing energy efficiency. We applaud their dedication to a sustainable future for all.β | | |
Grants and Funding Opportunities | |
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Picking up the TX PACE!
Property Assessed Clean Energy, or PACE, is a long-term financing tool facilitated through local governments, allowing commercial, industrial, multifamily, and non-profit property owners across Texas to undertake energy efficiency, water conservation, and renewable energy/distributed generation upgrades. Property owners receive 100% upfront funding for these upgrades to their facilities. Using such a tool, local governments can help reduce property owners' operating expenses, drive economic development, and increase property values.
Texas PACE Authority is a nonprofit organization helping local governments across the state (94 to date) administer model, uniform PACE regions at no cost and with no need for new government staff. This program has generated nearly $500 million in investments in 83 projects (and growing!) across urban and rural Texas.
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SECO Funding Opportunity Request for Application β Energy Sector Training Centers
This RFA will provide reimbursable grants to assist eligible public junior colleges or public technical institutes to purchase equipment for courses offered in the fields of energy efficiency, energy management, transportation efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
For more inforamtion: https://comptroller.texas.gov/programs/seco/funding/010324/
Applications Due: Feb. 16, 2024.
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Notice of Loan Fund Availability β LoanSTAR Program
The Texas LoanSTAR (Saving Taxes and Resources) revolving loan program provides low interest rate loans to assist Texas public institutions by financing their energy-related cost-reduction retrofit projects.
Open enrollment through Aug. 30, 2024.
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Alternative Fueling Facilities Program (AFFP) Grant
TCEQ's Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) is now accepting applications for the Alternative Fueling Facilities Program (AFFP)! This competitive grant is open to individuals and private or public organizations. Learn more and apply at https://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/terp/affp.
A total of $12 million in grant funding is available to construct or reconstruct fueling facilities that provide natural gas, electric charging, and other alternative fuels within the Clean Transportation Zone. At least $4 million of the available grant funding is reserved for small businesses.
AFFP grants may reimburse up to $400,000 for a compressed natural gas or liquified natural gas project, $600,000 for a project combining CNG and LNG, or 50% of the total eligible project cost (with a maximum of $600,000) for fuels other than natural gas such as electricity.
Applications will be accepted and considered on a competitive basis until 5 p.m. on March 22, 2024, with priority going to facilities that will be open to the public.
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Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
Funding is awarded through an open, competitive process hosted primarily on the EERE Funding Opportunity eXCHANGE. Project selections are merit-based with an emphasis on potential energy, environmental, and economic benefits.
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AISD Awarded 6.25M by EPA
AISD selected for additional Electric Bus Funding: The EPA has selected Austin ISD to receive $6.25M through the Clean School Bus cost-share grant program (see news story). Once awarded, this will add 25 more electric school buses (and charging infrastructure) that will target the longest bus routes in order to have the greatest environmental and health impacts. The program will significantly decrease student and staff exposure to toxic diesel emissions, eliminate approximately 1 million pounds CO2 emissions annually, and jumpstart AISD's transition to an all-electric bus fleet.
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Technical Assitance Recipients
Clean Energy Group is pleased to congratulate the 38 organizations that were awarded resilient power technical assistance grants in 2023. Technical Assistance Fund awards averaging $8,500 were used to produce comprehensive solar and battery storage feasibility assessments.
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The recipients of the Technical Assistance Fund in 2023 include:
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