| | | |
This month, we share how CEA is working to ensure all regions can support EV-ready homes, renewable energy, deep energy retrofits, and more. Plus, check out the event calendar for upcoming meetings and training opportunities.
If you like what you read, please forward this newsletter to a friend or colleague and invite them to subscribe.
CEA NEWS - Home Is Where the Charge Is
- The “Power” of Renewable Energy
- Working to Make Energy Retrofits Cost-Effective at Community Scale
- A Bold Move to Link Research and Practice
- 2026 CEA Member Program Launched
- Lunch & Learn: BC Solar & Battery Permitting
- Peer Network Meetings
- Training for Building Professionals
| | | | | | | | | | Home Is Where the Charge Is
As adoption of electric vehicles continues to rise, it’s critical that everyone has access to charging. This starts at home, says a new report from CEA and Clean Energy Canada, which is calling for a BC-wide standard for new construction that would require EV-charging in all new homes – from single-family dwellings to apartments, for both owners and renters. This would ensure everyone can access clean and affordable transportation and reduce the need for costly retrofits to add EV-charging in the future. Currently, there’s a patchwork of regulations across BC local governments.
Over the past year, dozens of local governments, developers, utilities, and experts contributed their ideas and perspectives as part of the report’s development. Learn more and read “Making All New B.C. Homes EV-Ready: A Policy Roadmap.”
| | | | | | | | The “Power” of Renewable Energy
Energy sovereignty, local economic development, community pride and leadership, and combatting climate change were all identified as key benefits of renewable energy development in Northern BC when CEA hosted a dialogue on the topic last month in Prince George, prior the kick-off of the BC Natural Resources Forum.
“Renewable Energy in Northern BC: A Power-ful Opportunity” brought together renewable energy businesses, community representatives, researchers, and other organizations to identify existing projects in Northern BC, why more are needed, and how communities can participate and benefit. Together with the Canadian Renewable Energy Association and Relay Education, CEA is aiming to bring the conversation to more communities and regions around BC this year.
| | | | | | | | Working to Make Energy Retrofits Cost-Effective at Community Scale
With the LEEP10 Integrated Retrofit Pilot Project in the Regional District of East Kootenay, CEA is part of a high-performance team providing homeowners with clear, cost-effective and evidence-based retrofit plans. By collaborating to plan renovations simultaneously across a small region, the program aims to deliver material savings, efficient sub-contracting, and robust homeowner supports.
CEA’s Oriol Bracken has worked closely with the LEEP10 lead builder, Meredith Hamstead of thinkBright Homes. Last month, they both attended the culminating event for Toward Net Zero Renos. This Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) event brought together net-zero practitioners to discuss key insights from completing 150+ deep energy retrofits in 13+ municipalities nationwide. They also discussed how to continue driving innovation to achieve net-zero levels of performance in the most cost-effective ways possible.
CHBA honoured Oriol and Meredith with a Special Mention for CEA and thinkBright Homes’ work bringing deep energy retrofits to community scale. Congratulations to Oriol and the rest of the team!
| | | | | | | | A Bold Move to Link Research and Practice
CEA and a research initiative based at the University of Victoria have established a unique partnership aimed at applying research to real-world implementation of local energy solutions in small, rural, and Indigenous communities. CEA’s work with Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET) blends academic and practitioner perspectives from the outset, establishing unique projects such as the Northern Regional Energy Dialogues, which has convened conversations across northern BC related to local views of the energy transition.
Read more about the CEA partnership with ACET and upcoming projects.
| | | | Photo: Participants of the 2026 NorthCAN Forum in Prince George where ACET researchers convened a Regional Energy Dialogue.
| | | | 2026 CEA Member Program Launched
Did you know CEA has an active membership program? In 2025, 50 organizations— local and regional governments, Indigenous communities, and both public and private organizations—made up our community of practitioners who all share a passion for community-based action on energy and climate.
The first engagement opportunity in 2026 for members was a workshop all about artificial intelligence. Coming up, exclusively for members, is a presentation on the global renewable energy sector – trends and forecasts, an update from CEA’s CEO, Megan Lohmann, and a workshop to help shape CEA’s strategic focus. This is just the start; we have a full year of programming to connect and engage CEA members.
If you’re ready to find out more and join our community, learn how to become a member.
| | | | | | | | | | | | Lunch & Learn: BC Solar & Battery Permitting
Feb. 23, 2026, join CEA and BC Hydro for a one-hour virtual session that will introduce and discuss the newly-released Solar and Battery Permitting Guide for Local Governments in BC. We will review and highlight the Guide's key outcomes, recommendations and implementation pathways, with time for dialogue and Q&A. The session will also introduce a new opportunity for those who want to dig deeper into solar solutions - join us to learn more!
📅 Monday, Feb. 23, 2026
⏰ 11 a.m.–noon PST / Noon–1 p.m. MST
📍 Register to attend on Zoom
| | | | Peer Network Meetings
Electric Mobility Peer Network
Feb. 10, 2026
Building Officials Peer Network Quarterly
Feb. 26, 2026
| | | | | | Training and Networking for Building Professionals
CEA is helping deliver a number of free opportunities for builders, contractors, Energy Advisors, building officials, and more. Please share within your networks, especially on Vancouver Island.
Airtight On-Budget: Fundamentals of Air Sealing
Designed for owner-builders and building professionals who are newer to high-performance construction, the session focuses on building a clear understanding of why air sealing matters and how it is successfully implemented on site. Hosted by the Regional District of Nanaimo and CEA with instructors from BCIT.
Date: Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026
Time: 5:30–8 p.m.
Location: Vancouver Island University
Learn More
Build Better Homes on Budget with Integrated Design Process (IDP)
Integrated Design Process (IDP) is a practical framework for delivering higher-performing, lower-risk new construction projects. Tune in for a facilitated panel discussion featuring local builders and energy advisors, providing both foundational knowledge and real-world insights. Hosted by the Regional District of Nanaimo and CEA.
Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026
Time: 8–10 a.m. PT
Format: Webinar
Learn More
2026 Contractor Forum
The Home Performance Stakeholder Council (HPSC) and CEA are co-hosting the annual Contractor Forum in Kamloops on April 29, 2026. Registration is now open for this free event.
The Forum will provide learning and engagement sessions, as well as networking with people from across the industry: contractors, manufacturers and other professionals in HVAC, insulation, windows and doors, energy advising, general retrofit, solar, and more.
Also, learn more about sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities.
| | | | Our Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation
The Community Energy Association commits to the principles of Truth and Reconciliation. As an organization, we support the Calls to Action released by the
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
and recognize the importance of the self determination of Indigenous Peoples as articulated in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. | | Thank you for subscribing to the CEA Newsletter, our monthly update on local climate and energy initiatives connected to the Community Energy Association. No longer interested? You can easily unsubscribe or update your preferences | | | | | |
