Innovative Marketing for the Clean Energy Improvement Program

Administered by Alberta Municipalities, the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) is an innovative financing mechanism that helps property owners in Alberta make energy-efficient upgrades or renewable energy installations with minimal upfront costs. It is Alberta’s version of a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, designed to address barriers to financing energy retrofits while promoting sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Municipalities opt into the program by passing a bylaw and collaborating with Alberta Municipalities, the administrator of CEIP. Once a municipality joins, property owners within its jurisdiction can apply to participate.

Alberta Municipalities face a mix of challenges and opportunities when it comes to marketing the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) in part because the program is locally enabled. This project will help address some of the challenges including:

-lack of a formal local government marketing plan for selected CEIP communities
-lack of awareness of the benefits of CEIP or how to participate
-misconceptions about program complexity or cost savings

This program will help local governments communicate the opportunities CEIP provides including:
-local economic development in retrofitting and clean energy sectors
-reduced energy costs for residential and commercial property owners
-alignment with local sustainability and climate plans
-collaboration potential with local businesses

The student internships will help in the following areas:

Community engagement and outreach – developing and executing public awareness campaigns to educate property owners about CEIP; delivering workshops, webinars or tiny explanation videos to simplify the application process for property owners.

Data collection and analysis – pilot different techniques for reaching audiences and document which techniques generate the most number of expressions of interest

Capacity building: develop resources, guides or frameworks that municipalities can use beyond the internship term

Faculty Supervisor:

Ivie Gbenga-Obadimeji

Student:

Partner:

Alberta Municipalities

Discipline:

Business

Sector:

Other services (except public administration)

University:

NorQuest College