Community Energy Association

The trusted independent advisor to local governments on climate and energy

Our Work in Alberta

Projects in Alberta

Communities in Alberta have taken significant strides to act on climate change. CEA has had the opportunity to support several projects in Alberta and has seen the impact this work can have on creating connected, healthy, and resilient communities. Take a look at some of the projects we’ve been involved in over the years and some of our emerging projects.

Scaling Up Climate Action in Alberta Municipalities

Emerging Projects

EVenture EV Charging Network

Policy Tool for Decarbonizing New Construction

EVenture EV Charging Network
After the success of Peaks to Prairies, CEA is working with communities in North and Central Alberta to deploy the EVenture EV Charging Infrastructure Network. Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure will enhance tourism and economic development opportunities, increase demand for local industry products (natural gas for nearby electricity generation plants), capacity building & retraining opportunities, and increase adoption of EVs by residents.

Policy Tool for Decarbonizing New Construction
Currently buildings account for 38% of emissions in Edmonton. The need to decarbonize new construction is a critical component of the City reaching its ambitious climate targets. This projects explores the regulatory and incentive structures Edmonton can use to reduce emissions in new construction. It will build off of the recommendations in the City’s Evaluation of Sustainable Development Goals Report which directs the City to: "Develop a strategic plan with incremental targets to reduce emissions in new buildings and to more effectively enforce/incent sustainable design through associated policy and regulations.” Some of the policy tools explored will include:
    • Using variance power for City planning to allow for innovation and discretion in support of goals
    • Exploring additional contribution requirements for developers for sustainable design in new development projects
    • Incorporating density/Floor Area Ratio (FAR) bonus policy into the rezoning process
    • Developing Green Development Standards
    • Creating a Green Building Rezoning Policy
    • Accessible building and community energy performance data
    • Building Performance Standards
    • Enhanced building code compliance

What we've done so far...

Past Projects

Peaks to Prairies Electric Vehicle Charging Network

Small-scale Biomass District Heating Handbook

Alberta Local Government Climate Action Funding Guides

City of Calgary CEEP

Peaks to Prairies Electric Vehicle Charging Network

The Peaks to Prairies EV Charging Network facilitates travel to and within the beautiful region of Southern Alberta with fast charging and Level 2 stations from Canmore to Medicine Hat, south to Waterton and the Crowsnest Pass... with many stops along the way! The project prioritized the strategic siting of locations to support network connectivity and maximize economic benefits to the region. The resulting network balances both EV driver needs and local development opportunities.

To Learn More about the Peaks to Prairies EV Charging Network, visit the website.

Small-scale Biomass District Heating Handbook

In 2014, CEA created a guide to support local governments in Alberta interested in making a business case for biomass district heating (DH). Small-scale biomass DH systems can be a centrepiece of an integrated strategy on clean energy, energy independence, and a transition to a low carbon economy. The report provides details on seven project elements according to four developmental stages, from DH project conception to utility development.  The project was possible due to valued financial support from the Agriculture & Food Council of Alberta, the Agroforestry & Woodlot Extension Society, and the Wood Pellet Association of Canada. See the full handbook

Alberta Local Government Climate Action Funding Guides

CEA has produced two versions of a funding guide for Albertan communities—Funding Your Community Energy and Climate Change Initiatives. The Municipal Climate Change Action Centre worked with CEA to publish the second edition in 2019. The publication reviews 24 funding programs that support local government energy planning and efficiency and renewable energy projects. MCCAC and CEA are teaming up to create an updated funding guide.  Read the complete funding guide

City of Calgary CEEP

No matter the size of the community, CEA is prepared to support communities in their climate action journey. CEA has worked with several large municipalities, including the City of Calgary. CEA worked on a project with QUEST that focused on helping communities move Community Energy Plans from vision to implementation. As part of this program, CEA worked with City of Calgary staff to build a case for creating a Community Energy and Emissions Plan and focus on internal alignment in helping move Calgary forward on climate action.

Do you have questions about how we can help your community plan climate and energy actions?

Our People

Prior to joining CEA Robyn Webb was part of the City of Edmonton's Energy Transition Team for 6+ years. Robyn led program focused on community mobilization on climate through Green Leagues and EcoCity Edmonton and designed and managed the City of Edmonton’s efforts to decarbonize existing homes through the Change Homes for Climate program.

Prior to joining CEA, Danielle Wiess was a sustainability professional, with over a dozen years in the energy sector. She completed research and analysis to develop corporate sustainability strategies and led programs focused on employee mobilization on sustainability. Her experience includes project management, GHG inventories and engagement activities.

Prior to joining CEA, Jessica spent 15 years between the Environmental Affairs and Community Investment departments at ENMAX. She worked alongside business units and community organizations to develop programs focused on energy conservation and efficiency, renewable energy technologies and energy poverty.

Prior to joining CEA, Tami worked in Alberta’s private and public sectors advancing climate action within organizations and through client projects. She also worked to promote green energy options to consumers through Bullfrog Power. As a Director-at-Large and Chair of the Institutional, Commercial, & Industrial (ICI) Committee with the Recycling Council of Alberta, Tami participated in policy development, education, and information sharing to engage Alberta Communities in waste-reduction, re-use, and recycling.