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Hello CELC members,
Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure to attend the Texas Commission for the Environment Texas Environmental Excellence Awards (TEEA) with the Keep Texas Beautiful team. TEEA is an annual awards program that honors achievements in environmental preservation and protection. There are ten diverse award categories that provide citizens, communities, businesses, and organizations an opportunity to obtain the state’s highest environmental honor and be recognized for their environmental projects.
The Energy & Sustainability program at the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) was awarded the Innovative Operations/Management for its energy management program that would reduce energy and water consumption and the associated utility costs, while also establishing policies and procedures. Great job SAISD! I look forward to hearing more about all the work you're doing in the coming years.
All the best,
Shaun Auckland
sauckland@eepartnership.org
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In This Newsletter:
- CELC Events
- Local Government Policy
- SPEER News and Events
- Member and Partner News
- Podcasts and What we are Reading
- Toolkit Spotlight
- Job Opportunities
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City Efficiency Leadership Council Updates
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CELC and Alamo Council of Governments Roundtable
SPEER's CELC and the Alamo Council of Governments will be hosting this roundtable. The CELC is a collaborative of cities, school districts, and other public entities across the state, engaged in sharing opportunities for partnership and resource exchange to expand the adoption of energy management best practices.
In this meeting, we will discuss:
- Energy Star Program Overview and examples
- EPA's Partner of the Year presentation
- Ways to collaborate with other organizations
Date: Thursday July 7th
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Oe4R7qCwT0u7vo82Kz3vdQ
*This meeting is closed to vendors or service providers. All registrations will be reviewed before providing the meeting link. Please feel free to reach out with any questions at cities@eepartnership.org.
Green Building Academy, Fostering Our Youth in Green Building Jobs
The green building industry has exploded in recent years. However, the architecture and design fields within the industry continue to experience a diversity gap, with far fewer people of color and women employed in higher-wage positions such as engineers or architects. EcoRise, the University of Texas School of Architecture (UTSOA), Austin Independent School District, and BLGY Architecture have teamed up to design and pilot an innovative Green Building Internship Program for Central Texas high school students. The pilot’s mission is to facilitate an equitable pathway to green jobs that will promote climate and community resiliency via green building programs. In addition, the program localizes climate change, empowers student action, and creates career opportunities for historically underrepresented students in green buildings, including female students and students of color.
Objectives:
- Learn how students gain real-world learning experiences
- Understand the collaborative efforts between higher education, industry, and non-profits
- Learn the outcomes of the pilot
Date: Thursday June 16th
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_l5dyaBRnSPuoOGEun3mfKA
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If you are aware of upcoming policy discussions or actions in your area and would like to share them in this newsletter, please send information to noaks@eepartnership.org.
Statewide: The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) requested comments from stakeholders relating to questions filed on distributed energy resources (DER). Comments on DER are requested by June 15, 2022. Link for DER Docket 51603.
San Antonio: CPS Energy approved changes to their energy efficiency and weatherization programs, titled Save Tomorrow's Energy Plan (STEP) program. The approved plan budgets $70 million per year for the next five years and will impact low- and moderate-income families, multi-family units, energy efficiency, and storage. The SA City Council will need to vote for approval at an upcoming meeting. More information can be found at CPS Energy Board webpage.
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SPEER News and Up-coming Events
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Local Government Training Discount for Building Operator Certification |
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The national Building Operator Certification (BOC) course is a workforce training and certification program offering facilities personnel the job skills and knowledge to improve their buildings' energy performance. By providing individuals with the background and assessment to implement cost-saving operational improvements based on low-cost/no-cost maintenance upgrades and solutions, BOC training will help your facility peak performance, saving energy, water, and money.
The BOC credential is just as valuable to building owners as to operators. Want to move your career forward? BOC can get you there. HVAC systems. Electrical systems. Lighting. Data collection. Environmental regulations and code compliance. Facility operators manage many moving pieces every day! Download the course flyer for details on classes, dates, and how to register. We’re extending a discount to public entities: use the code save200 to receive $200 off your enrollment. |
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Austin Civilian Conservation Corps Photovoice Exhibit / Green Jobs in Austin
The Austin Civilian Conservation Corps (ACCC) and UT School of Architecture's Community and Regional Planning (CRP) program has a new Photovoice Exhibition in the City Hall Lobby/Atrium Area. The exhibition features photos and insights from 11 ACCC participants. The Photovoice Exhibition will be on display for public viewing May 20 through May 27 at City Hall, 301 W. 2nd St.
New! DOI BOR WaterSMART Grants:
Water and Energy Efficiency Grants for Fiscal Year 2023 - $5 million
Eligible Entities: States, Indian Tribes, irrigation districts, and water districts; any state, regional, or local authority whose members include one or more organizations with water or power delivery authority; and other organizations with water or power delivery authority
This Water and Energy Efficiency Grants Notice of Funding Opportunity provides funding for projects that result in quantifiable water savings, implement renewable energy components, and support broader sustainability benefits. These projects conserve and use water more efficiently; increase the production of renewable energy; mitigate conflict risk in areas at a high risk of future water conflict; and accomplish other benefits that contribute to sustainability in the Western United States.
For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.
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Podcasts and What we are Reading
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Energy and Building Market Assessment Tool: Commercial PACE Application
The Energy and Building Market Assessment Tool is designed to provide detailed analysis to state and local governments about their specific commercial building stock to inform the adoption and implementation of building-sector energy policies and programs.
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What is the City Efficiency Leadership Council?
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The council is a cooperative of city leaders and officials throughout Texas and Oklahoma, furthering the adoption of energy management best practices in the public sector. Our peer-to-peer network is open to employees of any public entity, including city and county governments, public school districts, and other publicly funded entities. For more information, check out our website.
Questions or interested in getting involved with the City Efficiency Leadership Council? Get in touch!
512-279-0765 or cities@eepartnership.org |
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