For Immediate Release
April 2, 2025
To identify opportunities to benefit more from local economic development, lower energy costs, a clean environment, and improved community resilience, the Town of Stephenville will be working with econext as part of QUEST Canada’s Net-Zero Communities Accelerator (NCA) program.
“We are excited to work with the Town of Stephenville on this initiative,” says Sara Jafari, econext’s Community Sustainability Lead, noting that the program will include an analysis of how the municipality uses energy as a whole – from electricity to fuels. “We will use this information to investigate actual options for the town to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, in ways that align with its economic development priorities.”
Sara emphasizes the environmental challenges and local economic opportunities that communities face are unique to each municipality. “Participation in the NCA program will provide a series of recommendations that are integrated with the plans of the Town of Stephenville, and in tune with the future growth of energy resources and consumption in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
econext is working with six (6) municipalities across the province in the delivery of QUEST Canada’s NCA program. Municipalities interested in partnership with econext can connect with Sara Jafari at sara@econext.ca.
“The Town of Stephenville is committed to an eco-friendly future. By working with econext and participating in the NCA program, we are reducing our carbon footprint and supporting economic growth and stability for our community.”
Mayor Tom Rose, Town of Stephenville
“Despite the uncertain times we now face across Canada, a clean environment is still key to the future of Canada’s economy. What the NCA program focuses on is the building of the necessary community foundations that ensure emissions reduction plans get implemented, over the short and long-term, by ensuring all relevant energy transition stakeholders are included throughout the process.”
Seth Leon – Manager, Community Energy & Projects, QUEST Canada
The NCA program leverages proven tools and services, equipping participating communities with the net-zero knowledge needed to develop and continuously implement an energy and emissions plan (CEEP). The program provides a robust suite of resources and guidance, enabling communities to attain the economic, environmental, and social benefits associated with the implementation of their CEEP.
QUEST Canada supports communities in Canada on their pathway to net zero. Since 2007, facilitating connections, empowering community champions and advising decision-makers to implement energy use and emissions reduction solutions that best meet community needs, and maximize local economic opportunities. QUEST develops tools and resources, convenes stakeholders, and advises decision-makers – to encourage, assist and enable communities to contribute to and reach Canada’s net-zero goals. Visit: https://questcanada.org/.
econext is a not-for-profit association with a mission to accelerate clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador by: (1) stimulating research, development, and innovation; (2) preparing its workforce for a greening economy; and (3) acting as a catalyst for climate change action within its industries, businesses, and communities. econext has been working for over 30 years on behalf of its members across many sectors to support environmentally sustainable economic development. Visit: https://econext.ca/.
Media Contacts:
econext
Kieran Hanley, CEO
kieran@econext.ca
QUEST Canada
Donald Wiedman, Senior Lead, Communications
647 669 0461, dwiedman@questcanada.org
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