The electrification of passenger and light-duty vehicles offers communities an excellent opportunity to reduce GHG emissions from local transportation. CEA has become a leader in EVs and regional charging networks. We have been the facilitating agent of three regional collaborations to build clean transportation networks:

1. Accelerate Kootenays (Learn more)
2. Peaks to Prairies (Learn more)
3. Charge North (Learn more)

While these projects were implemented in ways that matched the context of the communities, they all sought to reduce GHG emissions, accelerate adoption of EVs locally, and build tourism opportunities. All projects included outreach, education and communications components.

CEA has been building capacity and facilitating the transition to the BC Energy Step by delivering holistic training and support to local governments and the building sector. The innovative Building A Legacy program in the Kootenays is a great example of CEA staff facilitating a diverse and long-term training program. A key component of building capacity of the building sector to increase energy efficiency in new buildings is education. To this end, CEA facilitated the creation of a number of multimedia tools:

1. BC Energy Step Code intro video
2. Building A Legacy YouTube series
3. Case Studies

CEA Staff expertise also extends to organic waste diversion. By working with local governments, CEA takes the lead in implementing infrastructure that will allow communities to recover significant portions of compostable organic resources. By treating waste as a valuable resource, other benefits can be realized such as GHG emissions reduction, food security, pesticide-free turf management and responsible disposal of carcas and hunting waste. This means supporting and empowering communities to take ownership of their waste.

Learn more about the East Kootenay Organics Infrastructure Program.

Energy retrofits of existing buildings is a huge challenge for local governments. CEA is supporting local government efforts to reduce emissions from existing buildings in a number of ways. Two key implementation programs that our experts have designed and implemented address the challenges of 1) homeowner understanding of technology, incentives and processes, and 2) capacity of local trades to do deep energy retrofits.

Retrofit Assist (learn more) is in pilot stage and offers free and knowledgeable counsel from start to finish of a heating system upgrade. This is an innovative "concierge" approach that makes the retrofit journey easier for homeowners.

Kootenay Clean Energy Transition (KCET - learn more) addresses key barriers to low carbon technology adoption, including lack of knowledge, increased cost and local access to equipment and installers. The program is focused on workforce and homeowner training to support low carbon and clean energy industries in the Kootenay region.