Hello CELC members and partners!
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Happy New Year, CELC Community! I hope you had a restful and rejuvenating holiday season. I spent part of my break touring the iconic Hoover Dam—a powerful reminder of how visionary infrastructure projects can shape energy landscapes for generations. Standing before that engineering marvel, I couldn't help but think about the innovative work you're all doing right here in Texas.
As we step into 2026, that same spirit of innovation and collaboration is alive and well in our community. This month brings exciting opportunities to connect, learn, and advance our shared mission of energy efficiency—from our upcoming Virtual Coffee Hour featuring the City of Frisco's data management strategies to the highly anticipated TRACS Summit in March. Let's make this year our most impactful yet!
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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
- Career Moves: Hot Opportunities and Job Openings
| | *Interested in becoming a CELC member? | | | |  | |
January 13 (TODAY) @ 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.
Organization: City of Frisco
Presenter: Haris A. Y. Khan, Sustainability Analyst, Environmental Services & Sustainability
Focus: Utilizing PowerBI for Data Management Internally
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.
| | CELC Virtual Workshop: Navigating SECO Energy Reporting | | |
January 22 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
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.
Speaker: Shaun Auckland, Senior Manager of Government and Community Engagement, SPEER
Register here.
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SPEER/CAPCOG Workshop – Master Your Energy Data:
Save Money & Support Clean Air
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January 28 @ 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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HARC/TEPRI/SPEER Weatherization Coordination Convening: From Insights to Action
February 5 @ 10:00 am- 1:00 pm (coffee and lunch included)
Location: TBD
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.
| | 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
January 14 (TOMORROW) @ 2:00 pm
Organization: The University of Texas at San Antonio
Presenter: Anna Morton Rivera, P.E., Executive Director of Energy & Sustainability, Real Estate & Property Management
Focus: Sustainability, Partnerships and Academic Research at UT San Antonio
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.
Join the quarterly meeting (via Teams) here.
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Spotlight on CELC: Member Events and Updates
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Texas Association of Regional Councils Community & Economic Development Staff Association Training & Meeting
February 4 @ 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Where: Cambria Hotel, Austin, TX
Join Shaun Auckland, SPEER's Senior Manager of Government and Community Engagement, at 10:30 am for her session, "Turning Data Into Action: Energy Efficient Strategies."
More info here.
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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.
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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