OPEN TO EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
The Municipal Energy Manager Program (MEM) offers staffing grants to municipalities in Alberta to offset the salary of an energy manager. The energy manager works for a municipality to develop an energy management plan, implement energy saving opportunities, and realize energy savings. Additional funding is also available to support the implementation of energy management initiatives.
Through the program, a municipal energy manager will:
- Conduct an energy audit on the highest energy-consuming municipal building,
- Develop an energy management plan,
- Educate facility managers on best practices,
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and
- Lead energy-efficient retrofits from start to finish.
HOW IT WORKS
The MCCAC provides funding to municipalities for:
Year One
- 80% of MEM salary up to a maximum of $80,000 per year.
- Up to $20,000 in rebates to support implementation of energy management initiatives.
Year Two
- 40% of MEM salary up to a maximum of $40,000 per year.
- Up to $40,000 in rebates to support implementation of energy management initiatives.
Year Two funding is contingent on the municipality meeting Year One program requirements.
HOW TO APPLY
DECEMBER 2024 UPDATE: The MEM Program is approaching full subscription. The MCCAC will continue to accept Expressions of Interest and Applications, but approved applications will be placed on a waitlist. Participants with an approved application will proceed to a Funding Agreement only if there is sufficient funding remaining to support the application.
First review the Municipal Energy Manager Guidebook to get to know the program and understand eligibility criteria.
Then submit an Expression of Interest to indicate your municipality’s interest in participating in the program. For assistance with the form, please email contact@mccac.ca.
Eligible municipalities will be invited to submit an application for funding. Participants interested in maximizing both years of funding in the Municipal Energy Manager program must submit their applications by January 31, 2025, and ensure the Energy Manager starts by March 31, 2025. Applications submitted after this deadline will not qualify for the full two years of funding due to the program cut-off date.
This program is administered by the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre and funded by the Government of Alberta.
Learn how municipal energy managers throughout Alberta are making real change
From 2019 to 2023, the Action Centre administered Round One of the Municipal Energy Manager program. Participating municipalities received funding to supplement an energy manager’s salary. During this period, 26 energy managers supported 37 communities influencing over $2 million in annual energy savings.
Read on to learn how energy managers made a big impact on reducing energy needs in local communities.
“With 750 City staff spread across several sites, I knew that I had to find a way to broaden our reach to engage as many staff as possible to see the greatest success. A foundational piece of our employee engagement has been the creation of and recruitment for the Energy Management Team.”
Cassie Kupsch, Municipal Energy Specialist, City of St. Albert
The City of St. Albert is making real change.
See how the City of St. Albert’s energy manager is reducing operating costs, energy, and emissions.
“Since joining the Municipal Energy Manager program, I have already implemented energy conservation measures that will result in an estimated annual energy savings of $80,344 and an annual GHG emissions reduction of 380 tonnes. These savings were achieved through the program’s initial focus on identifying and implementing low-cost/no-cost measures.”
Devin LaFleche, Sustainability and Transit Coordinator, Town of Cochrane
Case Studies
New Peak Performance
With a staff member fully dedicated to energy management, the Town of Banff has put energy efficiency at the forefront of operational planning, in line with their goal to be a global environmental leader and model of sustainable tourism.
Despite a very limited budget allocation, the Town of Edson’s energy manager implemented a range of cost-free measures that got the town over half-way to its emissions reduction target and saved nearly $6,300 a year.
Implementing comprehensive conservation measures and adding solar power at Servus Credit Union Place led to significant cost savings for St. Albert’s most energy intensive municipal building.
Needing to reduce energy use, maintenance burden and resolve HVAC control limitations, Sturgeon County’s energy manager found the ideal solution by retrofitting lighting fixtures and installing smart control technology.
- Airdrie
- Athabasca, Athabasca County and Boyle partnership
- Banff
- Brazeau County
- Brooks
- Cochrane
- Coaldale
- County of St. Paul, St. Paul, Elk Point, and Horseshoe Bay partnership
- Drayton Valley
- Donnelly, Falher, MD of Smoky River and Girouxville partnership
- Edson
- Foothills County
- Grande Prairie
- Jasper and Hinton partnership
- MD of Bonnyville and Glendon partnership
- Leduc
- Okotoks
- Olds
- Pincher Creek and MD of Pincher Creek partnership
- Raymond
- St. Albert
- Stony Plain
- Strathcona County
- Spruce Grove
- Sturgeon County
- Taber
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