On June 7, the City of Edmonton launched the commercial Clean Energy
Improvement Program (CEIP) pilot with Alberta Municipalities. CEIP is a financing tool to promote privately owned building retrofit investment.
CEIP initiatives began over 10 years ago in the United States and have proven successful in numerous jurisdictions, resulting in billions of dollars in retrofit investment and thousands of jobs created.
High upfront costs to build an emissions-neutral building or the ability to access funding to complete a retrofit is a significant challenge to Edmonton’s environmental future.
Commercial buildings make up about 19% of Edmonton’s total greenhouse gas emissions. The CEIP is a critical program to help achieve ambitious environmental goals outlined in the City of Edmonton’s Community Energy Transition Strategy, including transitioning to a low carbon city by 2050.
The plan calls for an unprecedented deep energy efficiency retrofit effort of over 11 million square feet (sq.ft) of commercial space by 2050. This would support the creation of a thriving retrofit industry and significant local job opportunities.
For instance, The Canada Green Building Council approximates that roughly 1.5 million direct jobs and $150 billion in direct gross product could be created by 2030 with the right retrofit grant and financing frameworks and investments supported nationally.
Edmonton’s commercial CEIP program is still accepting applications for up to $1 million/project in financing for eligible applicants. Upgrades for financing include, but are not limited to, renewable energy, solar P.V. and solar thermal, lighting, heating, insulation, doors, windows and commercial kitchens.
Additionally, City of Edmonton Building Energy Retrofit Accelerator Program rebates and Energy Savings for Business rebates can be used to lower CEIP financing costs and payments. For more information and to apply visit City of Edmonton – Clean Energy Improvement Program.
Image credit: Billy Hudy
