Alberta's energy transition must involve reducing our energy demands and lowering GHG emissions, in part, through the implementation of new technologies and solutions that will help serve our communities.

ATCO is committed to meeting the needs of a new and exciting energy future, which is why we have established the Community Energy Fund to help municipalities, schools, not-for-profits, and registered charities pursue solutions, opportunities, and education that will contribute to a more sustainable, net-zero future.

Each year, we disperse $150,000 to various organizations and programs within the ATCO Gas or ATCO Electric service territory in Alberta for community energy projects. If your organization is eligible, you can apply to receive a one-time financial contribution of up to $15,000 to help with your projects or programs, large and small.

Applications for 2024 are now closed and will re-open in 2025.

Evaluation Criteria

The Community Energy Fund Selection Committee has exclusive responsibility for all funding decisions. The Committee members will evaluate submissions individually, then meet to discuss the applications as a group.

The Community Energy Fund will prioritize applications that clearly define how your organization, school, or community is pursuing a net-zero future, and explain how support from the Community Energy Fund will help you achieve this. Examples of this include reducing energy demands and lowering GHG emissions through carbon capture utilization and storage, electrification, energy efficiency, or hydrogen production and utilization.

The evaluation scorecard specifically examines how each program supports the following indicators:

• Energy Transition: Project or initiative has a direct focus on renewable/alternative energy sources, energy efficiency and/or energy technology that will have a positive impact on their energy use towards a more sustainable future.
• Community Impact: Project provides a positive impact to the broader community and exemplifies the organization's goal for a more sustainable future.
• Innovation: Project is a new idea or a novel approach to an existing one.
• Evaluation & Metrics: Ability to track and report on their energy conservation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and/or provide metrics on a successful outcome of their initiative.

For school programs, we also take into consideration:

Student Leadership & Education: Project provides multiple opportunities for student involvement in setting project direction or input to the outcomes or activities as appropriate for their age, and an opportunity to learn about the need for a more sustainable future through better energy solutions.

Program Governance
The Community Energy Fund is made possible by shareowner dollars not recovered by customer electricity or gas rates. The reallocation of these funds is intended to support Alberta communities that ATCO Gas and ATCO Electric operate in.

All applications will be reviewed by an ATCO selection committee comprised of:

• One executive sponsor,
• Two representatives from our Customer Experience & Initiatives teams,
• Two representatives from our regional operational teams, and
• Two members of our Community Relations Marketing & Communications team.

These program guidelines are subject to change without notice. In all questions of interpretation of these program guidelines, the Fund?s interpretation shall prevail. All committee decisions are final.