Clean Energy Improvement Program still taking applications, rebate increasing

If you’re starting to look ahead at possible springtime home renovations, applications are still being accepted for the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP).

As a response to the Federal Government’s Canada Green Homes Grant being eliminated, the City of Lethbridge is also 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,” says Larry Laverty, Assessment and Taxation Manager and local CEIP Program 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.”

Launched in late February 2023, the CEIP provides eligible homeowners with a financial tool to support energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to their properties. With the goal of creating a more climate resilient community and lowering energy costs, the list of eligible projects for the CEIP includes upgrading windows, doors, adding solar panels, increasing insulation, upgrading lighting fixtures, installing a tankless hot water system and more.

“We are still encouraging homeowners to look into this option as we still have capacity to help more people in our city make clean energy improvements,” says Laverty. "This program remains a great opportunity for those homeowners thinking about renovations to consider choices for better energy performance and to lower their utility bills."

CEIP applications reached the initial capacity within a week last year. Following a Public Hearing on October 17, Lethbridge City Council unanimously voted to amend the Clean Energy Improvement Tax Bylaw to remove the previous annual cap amounts – allowing for an expedited service delivery of the CEIP and therefore providing more homeowners timely access to funding.

The CEIP allows homeowners to apply for low interest financing from the City, with repayment collected through property tax bills during a span of up to 20 years, depending on the expected life of the improvement. There is also an option to repay it in full at any time without penalty and the financing can be transferred to the next owner if the home sells. Participants must install eligible upgrades with a minimum cost of $3,000 to qualify for financing. 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.

More background is in this news release from October. For those interested, the first step is to reviews the program terms and conditions and submit a pre-qualification application.

The program, which has been in development since 2018, is administered by Alberta Municipalities in partnership with the City of Lethbridge. This project is being carried out with assistance from the FCM Green Municipal Fund, an endowment created by the Government of Canada.

The City of Lethbridge has received $3.8 million from FCM to support the implementation of CEIP for residential properties. During the pilot project, the program is expected to help an estimated 180 homeowners with the cost of upgrades.

Visit ceip.abmunis.ca/Lethbridge and review the terms and conditions for eligibility details. Learn more about the local program here.

For Public Inquiries:

Call 311 | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.