The Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) offers eligible homeowners a financial tool to support energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to their residences, like installing solar panels. (Photo 16250741 © Elena Elisseeva | Dreamstime.com)

By Justin Goulet

Applications still open for Clean Energy Improvement Program in Lethbridge

Mar 28, 2024 | 11:34 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Homeowners looking to make energy upgrades to their property can still apply for the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP).

The CEIP was launched in February 2023 and offers eligible homeowners a financial tool to support energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to their residences. Eligible projects include upgrading doors, windows, adding solar panels, increasing insulation and others.

A full list of projects eligible for the CEIP is available here.

The program allows property owners to apply for low interest financing from the City, with repayment collected through property tax bills during a time-frame of up to 20 years, depending on the life expectancy of the improvement. Additionally, there is an option to repay it in full at any time without a penalty. The financing can be transferred to the next homeowner if the property sells.

Participants have to install eligible upgrades with a minimum cost of $3,000 to qualify for financing. Officials say there is a maximum of $50,000 of eligible costs per property, but the annual Clean Energy Improvement Tax cannot exceed the property’s annual municipal property tax payment.

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REBATE AMOUNT INCREASED

In response to the federal government’s Canada Green Homes Grant being scrapped, the City of Lethbridge is increasing the rebate amount for CEIP applicants to $1,350 from $800.

“We have excess advertising dollars and have been able to find some administrative efficiencies and would like to pass that down to the homeowners rather than giving back grant money at the end of the program,” states Larry Laverty, assessment and taxation manager and local CEIP manager.

“Anyone enrolled in the CEIP program is eligible for the rebate on a first-come, first-served basis until the fund expires. The monies are coming out of the CEIP grant fund.”

Last year, CEIP applications reached the initial capacity in just a week.

READ MORE: Applications open for Clean Energy Improvement Program in Lethbridge

In October, city council unanimously voted to amend the Clean Energy Improvement Tax Bylaw to remove the previous annual cap amounts. This allows for an expedited service delivery of the program and offers homeowners more timely access to funding.

Alberta Municipalities administers the CEIP, in partnership with the City of Lethbridge.

The program is carried out with help from the FCM Green Municipal Fund, which is an endowment created by the federal government. The City has gotten $3.8 million from FCM to assist with implementing the program for residential properties. During the pilot process, officials say the CEIP is anticipated to help an estimated 180 homeowners with the cost of upgrades.

READ MORE: Lethbridge homeowners eligible for Clean Energy Improvement loans

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