Hello CELC members and partners!
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With the recent winter storm at the end of January, I am grateful that the Texas grid enabled me to keep my family warm and entertained while the schools were closed. This month, SPEER authored a blog, “Energy Efficiency: Texas’ Most Powerful Tool for Grid Resilience,” discussing how “energy efficiency can play a pivotal role in solving some of the biggest challenges SPEER’s south-central region is experiencing: resource adequacy, or grid reliability, and resiliency during our summer heat waves and increasing winter storms.”
SPEER will be continuing the conversation on the importance of energy efficiency for resiliency at the TRACS Summit at St. Edwards University in Austin. SPEER is partnering with TRACS (Texas Regional Alliance for Campus Sustainability) to facilitate the summit and learn about the latest trends in energy efficiency, how to develop resilient systems in response to climate challenges, and effective methods for fostering a culture of sustainability within academic institutions.
We hope to see you there!
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In this edition:
- Exciting CELC Opportunities Ahead
- Texas Energy Advocates – University Program (TEA-UP)
- Spotlight on CELC: Member Events and Updates
- Resources to Accelerate Your Energy Improvements
- Career Moves: Hot Opportunities and Job Openings
| | *Interested in becoming a CELC member? | | |
HARC/TEPRI/SPEER Weatherization Coordination Convening: From Insights to Action
February 13 @ 10:00 am- 1:00 pm (coffee and lunch included)
Location: Austin Energy Headquarters, 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723
Join us as we transform stakeholder feedback into practical solutions. Building on insights from our first convening, this collaborative session will focus on co-designing the workflows, coordination strategies, and partnerships needed to create a more connected weatherization system in Central Texas.
Who Should Attend:
Weatherization providers, utilities, housing agencies, community organizations, workforce developers, funders, and anyone committed to making it easier for low-income households to access energy efficiency services.
More info & registration here.
Big thank you to our member Austin Energy for partnering with us to host the workshop!
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CELC Webinar: Weatherization & Home Energy Financing – Practical Solutions for Texas Families
February 19 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Clean Energy Fund of Texas (CEFTX), in partnership with SPEER, will host an informative webinar on practical, affordable pathways to weatherization and home energy improvements for Texas homeowners. This session will provide an overview of the most impactful residential weatherization solutions.
Register here.
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SPEER/CAPCOG Workshop – Master Your Energy Data:
Save Money & Support Clean Air
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February 25 @ 9:00 am - 11:30 am
Where: 6800 Burleson Rd, Bldg. 310, Suite 165 (Pecan Room), Austin, TX, 78744
Join the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) and SPEER for an interactive workshop on managing energy data and understanding its connection to regional air quality. Whether you’re required to report energy use or simply want to reduce costs, you’ll gain valuable insights on utility consumption management, access helpful resources, and learn from real-world case studies. ICC credits available!
Space is limited. Please RSVP to secure your spot. For questions or dietary restrictions, contact Ramon Zarate at rzarate@capcog.org.
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February 25 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
As data center growth continues across our region, policymakers, utilities, and local communities must seek solutions to curb exponential energy consumption. Targeted energy efficiency deployed near data centers can deliver measurable peak load relief, economic benefits, and reduce community concerns, making the rapid growth of data centers more palatable.
Presenter: Doug Presley, Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs, AnnDyl Policy Group
Register here.
| CELC Webinar: Illuminated Insights – A Lighting Provider Power Hour | |
February 26 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Join SPEER for a fast-paced, interactive Lighting Systems Provider Showcase designed to spark new ideas and connect you with industry leaders. The session kicks off with quick-fire, 5-minute presentations from 4–5 lighting experts—giving you the highlights you need, fast. After a brief transition, dive deeper in 20-minute breakout rooms where you can ask questions, explore solutions, and collaborate with peers. We’ll wrap with a short closing session to leave you energized and informed.
Participating companies: Bryte Light and more to be announced soon!
Register here.
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March 5 @ 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Join fellow CELC members for a 10-minute presentation on boosting energy efficiency in our communities followed by an open group discussion and thought sharing. Learn more on our event page and see our current CELC members.
Presenter: Brandon Kent, Williamson County
Focus: Energy Management in County Operations
Registration: Sign up as a CELC member to receive the invitation. *CELC members can email cities@eepartnership.org if you do not have the reoccurring meeting invitation.
| | TRACS 2026 Summit: Meeting the Moment - Shaping Tomorrow Together | |
March 1-3, 2026 @ St. Edward's University
Be part of the movement March 1–3 at St. Edward’s University in Austin for the 12th Annual TRACS Summit. Join sustainability changemakers from across Texas higher education to exchange bold ideas, explore proven strategies, and spark real-world impact on your campus.
What to Expect:
Dynamic, hands-on sessions tackling energy efficiency, climate resilience, and how to embed sustainability into campus culture. Connect with passionate students, faculty, and staff who are advancing environmental stewardship, economic vitality, and social equity.
Get Involved:
Learn more and register here!
Together, let's turn "What If?" into "What's Next?"
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TEA-UP Quarterly Meeting
March 2
Time: TBD
Location: In-person @ TRACS Summit, St. Edwards University
Join SPEER’s TEA-UP coalition for our upcoming Quarterly Meeting—featuring expert insights from Anna Morton Rivera, P.E. (UTSA), updates on TEA-UP’s annual goals, and space for member announcements and collaboration.
TEA-UP is building a strong coalition for energy advocacy in higher education. Register as a TEA-UP Member here.
Email cities@eepartnership.org to attend.
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Internship Opportunities
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North Central Texas Council of Governments Intern – Public Affairs and Media | Starting at $17.10 hourly
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Apply here.
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TCEQ - Mickey Leland Environmental Internship Program is approaching! You have until Feb. 28 to take advantage of this opportunity to gain hands-on experience. Apply here.
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Spotlight on CELC: Member Events and Updates
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NCTCOG Zero Emission Vehicles Call for Projects
The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is offering $58.6 million for rebates through the North Texas Zero Emission Vehicles (NTxZEV) Call for Projects! This program will fund the replacement of existing diesel, gasoline, natural gas, and propane Class 6 & 7 vehicles with battery-electric or hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. This program is for “vocational vehicles” including box trucks, step vans, refuse haulers, street sweepers, utility trucks, transit buses, etc.
If you are a fleet with these types of vehicle operations in or around the Dallas-Fort Worth area looking to get into the zero-emission vehicle space, this Call for Projects is for you! Meeting materials from the Application Workshops are available here.
Application deadline is Friday, February 13 at 5 PM CT! Please email any questions to cleancities@nctcog.org.
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USGBC Impact Symposium + LEED v5 Workshop: Texas – A Look at LEED at Scale
February 24, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Location: DFW Airport
Texas takes a look at LEED at scale, featuring expert-led sessions, real-world case studies, and an exclusive LEED v5 Technical Workshop, offering hands-on guidance on the latest credits, requirements, and best practices. Learn how LEED v5 is shaping the future of large-scale projects with a focus on decarbonization, resilience, and performance.
*SPEER, CELC & TEA-UP members will receive the USGBC member rate to attend the symposium.
More info & registration here.
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Resources to Accelerate Your Energy Improvements
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Switch Together Texas
In Spring 2026, Solar United Neighbors (SUN) is launching a Switch Together residential group-buy solar and battery program in Texas. Participating local governments currently include Dallas, Harris County, Waco, Farmers Branch, and others.
Through the Switch Together program, SUN partners with local governments and community organizations to bring a rooftop solar program to residents packed with consumer protection, 15 - 20% discounted price on solar and battery systems, vetted installers, and customer support through the entire process.
The deadline for municipalities to participate is April 1, 2026. There is no cost to participate. If you would like to learn more and possibly take part in the program, please reach out to TXTeam@solarunitedneighbors.org, and head here for more information.
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Notice of Loan Fund Availability – Community Centers Energy Efficiency Retrofits for the State Energy Program
SECO’s administration of the Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Program assists eligible Community Centers to complete energy-related, cost-reduction retrofit projects. The low-interest reimbursable loans described in this NOLFA are available for taxpayer-supported, publicly owned community centers providing services and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, serious mental illness, and substance use disorders. Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Open enrollment lasts through Jun. 5, 2026.
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SECO Loanstar Program
The Texas LoanSTAR (Saving Taxes and Resources) Revolving Loan Program provides low-interest loans to assist Texas public institutions by financing their energy-related, cost-reduction retrofit projects.
Open enrollment lasts through August 31, 2026. More info here.
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Water Supply and Infrastructure Grants
House Bill 500, passed during the 89th Legislative Session, appropriated $1.038 billion in funds for water supply and infrastructure projects to the Texas Water Development Board. This is a one-time opportunity for a limited number of Texas communities to receive grant funding to implement water supply/water infrastructure projects.
More information here.
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Performance Based Procurement Guide
This guide is a practical how-to manual for owners and project teams on using energy-performance-based procurement to deliver high-performance, energy efficient buildings, especially in new construction or major retrofits. It can help owners set measurable energy performance goals up front and structure the procurement and project delivery so that the design, construction, and operations teams are incentivized to meet those goals. Projects that use this approach can achieve energy performance within typical budgets, while reducing operating costs and emissions and still deliver reliable results.
Learn more here.
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ACEEE Webinar Recap: Reaching Rental Property Owners to Advance Energy Efficiency
Rental properties are less energy efficient than owner-occupied homes, consuming an average of 15% more energy per square foot and leading to higher energy costs for residents. This has led to nearly a third of renters reporting that they are behind on their energy bills. Comprehensive, cost-effective energy-efficiency upgrades on these homes can help deliver substantial savings to both their residents and owners. However, property owners must approve these projects first, and many retrofit programs encounter challenges in identifying and appealing to owners.
You can watch a recording of this workshop here or view the PowerPoint slides. Breakout groups are not included in the video recording.
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Career Moves: Hot Opportunities & Job Openings You Should Know
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