New funding will help rural and urban communities across the province become more energy efficient and reduce costs.
With high inflation and energy costs, many Alberta municipalities are looking for ways to improve energy efficiency and save money. However, upgrades and improvements are often expensive or otherwise challenging to put in place.
Using Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) program funding, Alberta is investing $18 million to help communities hire staff, replace windows, upgrade lights and make practical improvements to arenas, community centres and other buildings. This funding will allow the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC) to build on its suite of programs, helping Alberta municipalities save energy, lower costs and reduce emissions.
This is part of the government's Emissions Reduction and Energy Development Plan, reducing emissions while creating jobs and supporting a strong economy.
"We are helping municipalities cut energy costs and increase energy efficiency. This funding provides crucial support for small communities that might not have the resources or staff needed to upgrade buildings or implement other energy-saving solutions. This will help towns and cities upgrade facilities and reduce emissions while saving money on their power bills."
Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas
"Collaboration is key to ensuring a cohesive approach to addressing the challenge of climate change. This funding will enable our members to continue playing an active role implementing initiatives that support energy efficiency and emissions reductions across Alberta."
Tyler Gandam, president, Alberta Municipalities
"Municipalities recognize the risks of climate change and are active participants in programs that reduce impacts for current and future generations. We are pleased to see this ongoing support which will ensure rural municipalities can continue to develop energy security and cost savings."
Paul McLauchlin, president, Rural Municipalities of Alberta
In 2022, the MCCAC's Recreation Conservation Program helped complete upgrades at the Max Bell Centre, saving the facility $7,000 a year while producing 43 fewer tonnes of emissions annually.
Additionally, the Town of Barrhead completed an ice plant replacement for Barrhead Arena, saving more than $22,800 per year while reducing emissions by 37 per cent compared with the previous system.
The new $18 million in funding will enable programs to help Alberta's communities access supports for energy conservation, energy management, outreach and engagement, and more, all through the MCCAC. A capacity-building initiative is currently underway, a new Municipal Energy Management Program will launch this spring and a program for energy efficiency upgrades in community buildings is expected to open this summer.
"As our organization heads into its 15th year of operations in 2024, this funding will help us continue helping municipalities and communities of all sizes be proactive with energy solutions that also have social, financial and environmental benefits."
Trina Innes, executive director, Municipal Climate Change Action Centre
More information on these and other programs will be announced as they launch in the coming months.
Quick facts
- The MCCAC was established in 2009 as a partnership between Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, Alberta Municipal Affairs, Alberta Municipalities and Rural Municipalities of Alberta.
- Through this partnership, the Government of Alberta invests in programs that provide funding, technical assistance and education to Alberta municipalities and community organizations to help lower energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Alberta's government has provided $24.1 million to the MCCAC since 2019.
- To date, the MCCAC has used Government of Alberta funding to help support 1,036 jobs and 943 clean energy projects across 401 organizations, including 170 municipalities. This work is estimated to avoid 763,146 tonnes of emissions and lead to more than $171 million in total energy savings.
- Municipalities are encouraged to stay tuned online for the latest information on current and future programs.
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