By Abby Zieverink

Grande Prairie City Council

City passes Clean Energy Improvement Tax Bylaw

Aug 26, 2021 | 1:27 PM

Grande Prairie City Council passed the Clean Energy Improvement Tax Bylaw at it’s meeting earlier this week, which will now allow the city to access energy-efficient incentive funding for participating property owners through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).

Mayor Jackie Clayton says with the passing of the bylaw, the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) is expected to start in September 2022 and will work with residential and commercial building owners to improve energy efficiency on their property.

CEIP is a financing program that facilitates the construction and installation of qualified clean energy improvements to properties through a local taxation mechanism, which provides security for repayment of the financing.

“Through the property tax, there will be opportunities for homeowners to apply for opportunities such as solar panels, ways to reduce their (carbon) output on their residence and in turn make the city more green overall.”

Clayton says FCM will provide low-cost loans and grants through the Green Municipal Funds Community Efficiency Financing program.

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This desire to access this program comes after Clayton says, back in 2017, council adopted a goal of a six per cent reduction in community greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.

“Participating in programs such as the Act to Enable Clean Energy Improvement is a way that we can get to those criteria and that reduction that is hoped to be obtained.”

Once the program is implemented, Clayton suggests residents who want to participate will see a decrease in energy output from their property.

“I think it’s a great opportunity that doesn’t impact every ratepayer across the city. However, it still helps council and the organization to work towards the six per cent reduction goal.”

Clayton says the program costs will be tied to individual property taxes, which are therefore tied to the participating property, meaning this program will be optional for residents.

She says as this program is through FCM, it will not use general taxpayer dollars.

“The cost of any of the upgrades are recovered through the property taxes, and therefore tied to the property. So, similar to if you default on your taxes, there could be a tax sale, and the cost of the program will be recovered through it.”

Clayton says council is planning to work with Grande Prairie Regional College, to see what opportunities could arise for Energy Advisors in the area for the program.

She says Alberta Municipal Services Corporation will work with the city as well, to facilitate the fulfillment of the project in September 2022.

Clayton says more details on costs and parameters for residents interested in participating will become available once more details are ironed out.