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Mark Your Calendar: Exciting CELC Opportunities Ahead

NCTCOG and SPEER Local Government Energy Reporting Workshop 

January 16, 2025 @ 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM CST 

The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) and the South-central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource (SPEER) are hosting a FREE in-person workshop to help local governments understand the state mandate to report and reduce electricity consumption. Attendees will receive valuable guidance and tips for successfully reporting energy usage in early 2025, and learn how to comply with this important requirement while lowering operational costs. 

Agenda:

• 10:00 - 11:45 AM: Workshop for local governments to cover energy reporting requirements and best practices 
• 12:00 - 1:00 PM: Networking Lunch 
• Afternoon Session: Focusing on institutes of higher education - see agenda & register separately here.



Audience:

• This workshop is for all political subdivisions in local government, state agencies, and institutions of higher education in affected counties. Suggested attendees include local government staff responsible for submitting or gathering energy data for the report.

Speakers:

• Shaun Marie Auckland, M.S.I.S., LEED Green Associate 
• Local Government Program Manager – SPEER 

Location:

• Transportation Council Room - 1st Floor, 616 Six Flags Drive, Centerpoint II, Arlington, TX 76011 

Register today to secure your spot! 

AACOG and SPEER Energy Reporting Workshop 

Thursday, January 23, 2025 @ 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM CST

Join the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) and SPEER for an in-depth workshop on the state-required energy reporting process. You’ll walk through the reporting form, learn about the requirement, and hear from local government staff about their experiences reporting their energy use. 

Details: 

• 10:00-12:00: Presentations 
• 12:00-1:00: Networking and Lunch 

Location:

• AACOG Office, San Antonio, TX 
• Remote participation option available 

Who should attend? 

• Local governments in non-attainment counties are required by state law to commit to an annual 5% reduction in energy use and report their energy use to the Comptroller. This workshop is designed to assist you in navigating the reporting requirements and connecting with other local governments for support. 

Register now to reserve your spot!

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!

Texas Energy Advocates – University Program  (TEA-UP)

SAVE THE DATE: Empowering Change Higher Education Conference 

Empowering Change: Energy Efficiency, Resiliency, and Sustainability in Higher Education

Join us for an engaging workshop designed for higher education professionals committed to advancing energy efficiency, resiliency, and sustainability initiatives on their campuses. SPEER is partnering with the Texas Regional Alliance for Campus Sustainability (TRACS) to facilitate this interactive session 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 your institution. Drive meaningful change in your academic communities. 

Date: April 8th

Location: Texas State University 

Advancing Campus Sustainability: Initiatives, Efficiency, and Funding 

Join NCTCOG and SPEER for an in-person workshop on how universities are advancing sustainability through energy efficiency and funding opportunities. Network with peers and learn about sustainability initiatives, building recommissioning, and funding resources for your campus projects. 

Agenda 

• Showcase of sustainability initiatives at local universities 
• Recommissioning university buildings with real-world examples 
• Funding opportunities for sustainability projects 
• Wrap-up with insights from NCTCOG and SPEER 

Networking Lunch 

• 12:00 - 1:00 PM (Free; separate registration required) 

Date: Thursday, January 16, 2024 

Time: 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM CST 

Location: Transportation Council Room, 616 Six Flags Drive, Arlington, TX 

Register here.

Dive Into Science with NOAA’s New Cartoon Series! 

NOAA has launched an engaging five-part cartoon series, Teek and Tom, designed to bring science to life for students and educators. This fun and educational platform explores how the ocean influences weather and climate, showcases the innovative technologies used to study Earth, and dives into the challenges of understanding our planet’s changing climate. Perfect for classrooms or individual learners, this series makes complex scientific concepts accessible and exciting. 

Explore the series here.

TRUE Certification Planning Tool 

This tool can be used by facilities preparing for TRUE certification to estimate point totals, conduct a credit gap analysis, and start planning next steps. 

Spotlight on CELC: Member Events and Updates

U.S. Local Market Leadership Awards have been announced with the first-ever SITES awardee: SITES Silver certified Richard Moya Eastside Bus Plaza in Austin, Texas

Once a flat and barren road median, the Richard Moya Eastside Bus Plaza – named for the first Mexican-American elected to public office in Austin – has been transformed. Now a vibrant, ecologically robust refuge for wildlife, the landscape echoes the historic Central Texas ecoregion of the Blackland Prairie, and offers renewed beauty and comfort to more than 600 riders each day. Congratulations to the project team, Studio Balcones and Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS). 

January 9, 1 PM (ET) – Known Unknowns: Key Energy Efficiency Trends in the New Year 

Hear from some of our industry's top strategic thinkers as they look ahead to 2025 and what may impact the residential energy-efficiency landscape. From trends to technologies, innovations, and everything in between, you're sure to take something away from this look ahead. 

Register here.

December 12, 1 PM (ET) – New DOE Tools to Help Qualify for Thousands in Tax Credits from the Inflation Reduction Act 

DOE will host a webinar on new resources to help American households and home energy efficiency contractors understand how to qualify for thousands of dollars in federal tax credits, made available by the Inflation Reduction Act, for home upgrades. 

Register here.

December 19, 2 PM (ET) – Geothermal Technologies Office Quarterly Webinar 

Join GTO leadership and staff for a discussion of GTO's current and upcoming activities to support the advancement of innovative geothermal technologies and the geothermal industry. 

Register here.

Secure the Funds: Latest Grant Opportunities Available

Unlock Grant Success Strategies – Watch the Webinar!

Missed the CELC webinar on Grants? Megan and her team have helped secure over $499 million in broadband infrastructure and digital equity funding, plus over $100 million in renewable energy funding! Catch the full session now on SPEER's YouTube channel to learn key strategies for securing funding.

Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities

This program will provide planning assistance to local governments working in partnership with community organizations to help mitigate the effects of urban heat islands in overburdened communities. Research shows that neighborhoods with populations that are low-income and/or people of color often experience higher temperatures relative to adjacent neighborhoods in the same city. 

The deadline to submit letters of interest is December 12, 2024 by 5:00 pm Eastern Time.  

What We're Reading: Insights and Inspiration

Economic Performance in US Fossil Fuel Communities - Center on Global Energy Policy

Room to Breathe: Lessons from Atlanta’s First Healthy Housing Program - SEEA

Landscape Architecture Solutions to Climate Change Generate Significant Economic Benefits - ASLA

The South is building the most vibrant EV and battery hub in the US - Canary Media

Job Opening & Volunteer Opportunities

Job Opening - AEP Texas

Our friends at AEP Texas are hiring an Energy Efficiency & Consumer Programs Compliance Coordinator. Head over to their Careers page and apply by December 16th!

Holiday Volunteer Opportunities

This holiday season, SPEER is excited to showcase volunteer opportunities that make a difference. Join us in giving back while contributing to meaningful projects that support energy efficiency and sustainability. 

Volunteering for the Energy Institute - The Energy Institute

Get Involved - Foundation Communities