Cleantech Features Net Zero News Profiles
QUEST’s Net-Zero Communities Accelerator encourages “new ways of thinking”

March 10, 2023 – Designed to equip participating communities across Canada with the knowledge necessary to develop and continuously implement community energy and emissions plans (CEEPs), QUEST Canada launched the Net-Zero Communities Accelerator.

“[The] Government of Canada is proud to support organizations like QUEST Canada that are leading the way on energy efficiency,” said Hon. Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “QUEST [Canada]’s new NCA program will help participating communities develop and implement impactful community energy and emissions plans that drive positive economic, social, and environmental outcomes.”

The NCA program, says QUEST, leverages proven tools and services modelled and tested during QUEST Canada’s New Brunswick Smart Energy Communities Accelerator (NB SECA) Pilot Program, which included 14 participating communities, including one First Nation and five francophone communities.

“What makes the NCA program distinctive is its focus on building the necessary foundations that ensure CEEPs actually get implemented over the short and long term, in addition to ensuring all relevant stakeholders are included throughout the process,” said Ericka Wicks, managing director, QUEST.

“The program will introduce communities to new ways of thinking, collaborating and working, providing the support necessary to help communities achieve their energy use and emissions reduction goals,” Wicks added.

ACOA invested $494,490 in the Smart Energy Community Accelerator program [also referred to as the Net-Zero Communities Accelerator]. The NCA Program is also supported by Cenovus, New Brunswick Environmental Trust Fund, Suncor Energy Foundation, Énergie NB Power, Stantec, McConnell Family Foundation, and Liberty Utilities.