Cowichan Energy Alternatives Society (CEA) was founded in 2008 as a non-profit society (# S-54795) focused on providing renewable energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction solutions in the Cowichan Valley. CEA does this through feasibility studies and project implementation, emissions inventories and planning services, and by incentivising businesses and local governments to adopt practices that lower carbon emissions through the Community Carbon Marketplace (CCM). CEA's innovative approach is focused on finding creative solutions to energy and emissions challenges while maximizing triple bottom line benefits to sustainability partners and the community. Our projects are delivered through collaborative partnerships with social enterprise, private businesses, financial institutions such as Vancity, local and regional governments. Funds generated through CEA's GHG inventory and other revenue-generating sustainability services go to support educational initiatives and a growing list of alternative energy projects and carbon offsetting services that truly demonstrate leadership by example.
Currently, our focal renewable energy project is the ongoing development and operation of the Cowichan Biofuel Facility (CBF) located at the CVRD’s Bings Creek Recycling Centre in North Cowichan. The CBF was created, and is operated in partnership with the Cowichan Bio-Diesel Co-op (CB-DC), Greasecycle Inc and the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) to:
1) provide public and commercial waste vegetable oil (WVO) collection and drop-off services;
2) sustainably recycle the collected WVO into biofuels and other green products made available for local use, and;
3) serve as a public education, demonstration and research facility for the advancement of biofuels and alternative energies that locally reduce our carbon footprint. Further details on the CBF can be found in the Operating Plan provided in fulfillment of CVRD Bylaw No. 2570 – Waste Stream Management Licensing Bylaw.
Vision Statement:
CEA’s vision is for resilient communities thriving on a healthy planet through the adoption of renewable energies that reduce GHGs.
Mission Statement:
To achieve our vision, CEA seeks to develop real world, tangible solutions to renewable energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction solutions for the Cowichan Valley that can be replicated for the benefit of communities on Vancouver Island and throughout British Columbia.
Objectives:
1) To identify and initiate feasible renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction strategies that can be immediately and sustainably implemented in the Cowichan Valley.
2) To implement and support projects that make sense locally, are based on well-tested practices and are financially sound. (Apply the “low hanging fruit” principle.)
3) To create initiatives that promote a paradigm shift in thinking by providing alternatives to “business as usual”, education and incentives to individuals, community groups, governments and private sector organizations to encourage the adoption of sustainable practices that reduce carbon emissions, and dependency on fossil fuels.
4) To teach and develop strategies that avoid the trap of “silver bullet solutions” and instead, maximise our natural, human and social resources within the community, join those resources into a common purpose and create “silver buckshot solutions.”
5) Provide answers to renewable energy challenges that are relevant to the needs of individuals, community groups, and governments by demonstrating real world applications of concepts, programs, and projects that are reproducible and can benefit other communities throughout BC.
Currently, our focal renewable energy project is the ongoing development and operation of the Cowichan Biofuel Facility (CBF) located at the CVRD’s Bings Creek Recycling Centre in North Cowichan. The CBF was created, and is operated in partnership with the Cowichan Bio-Diesel Co-op (CB-DC), Greasecycle Inc and the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) to:
1) provide public and commercial waste vegetable oil (WVO) collection and drop-off services;
2) sustainably recycle the collected WVO into biofuels and other green products made available for local use, and;
3) serve as a public education, demonstration and research facility for the advancement of biofuels and alternative energies that locally reduce our carbon footprint. Further details on the CBF can be found in the Operating Plan provided in fulfillment of CVRD Bylaw No. 2570 – Waste Stream Management Licensing Bylaw.
Vision Statement:
CEA’s vision is for resilient communities thriving on a healthy planet through the adoption of renewable energies that reduce GHGs.
Mission Statement:
To achieve our vision, CEA seeks to develop real world, tangible solutions to renewable energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction solutions for the Cowichan Valley that can be replicated for the benefit of communities on Vancouver Island and throughout British Columbia.
Objectives:
1) To identify and initiate feasible renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction strategies that can be immediately and sustainably implemented in the Cowichan Valley.
2) To implement and support projects that make sense locally, are based on well-tested practices and are financially sound. (Apply the “low hanging fruit” principle.)
3) To create initiatives that promote a paradigm shift in thinking by providing alternatives to “business as usual”, education and incentives to individuals, community groups, governments and private sector organizations to encourage the adoption of sustainable practices that reduce carbon emissions, and dependency on fossil fuels.
4) To teach and develop strategies that avoid the trap of “silver bullet solutions” and instead, maximise our natural, human and social resources within the community, join those resources into a common purpose and create “silver buckshot solutions.”
5) Provide answers to renewable energy challenges that are relevant to the needs of individuals, community groups, and governments by demonstrating real world applications of concepts, programs, and projects that are reproducible and can benefit other communities throughout BC.
CEA is also a Non-Profit Partner with 1% For the Planet to build and support an alliance of businesses financially committed to creating a healthy planet.