Comment Letters and Input Opportunities

The California Climate & Energy Collaborative (CCEC) is committed to working with state agencies to ensure that the programs they develop and administer are shaped and informed by the needs of local governments. Utilizing our deeply connected and highly engaged statewide network of local government staff, technical experts, and climate practitioners, as well as our regular engagement points such as our monthly Local Energy Resources Network (LERN) Meetings, Quarterly State/ Local Energy & Climate Coordination (SLECC) Meetings, and Annual CCEC Forum, we work to gather input from local government representatives and communicate their priorities as they relate to upcoming state-administered programs. To advance this effort, CCEC has submitted comment letters synthesizing our network’s valuable perspectives.

As we continue our work engaging state agencies and their partners, we will highlight the active opportunities for the CCEC network to provide input on upcoming state programs. See further down for previously submitted comment letters on relevant opportunities from state-agencies.

If you are aware of another opportunity to provide input that should be showcased on this page, please email eecoordinator@civicwell.org.

Active Input Opportunities & Other Engagement Activities

See below for a list of programs that have released a Request for Information.

Grid Integration of Solar Energy Systems and Other Inverter-based Resources

Application Status: Available, Input Opportunity

Deadline: November 30, 2023

Source: US DOE

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), through its Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO), is issuing a request for information (RFI) on technical challenges and opportunities for grid integration of solar energy systems and other inverter-based resources that include photovoltaics (PV) and energy storage facilities connected to bulk power systems, distribution systems, microgrids, and behind-the-meter systems. This RFI intends to solicit stakeholder feedback from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, end-user groups, and other relevant organizations related to the cost-effective and reliable integration of solar and other variable and power-electronic based energy sources onto the electric grid. Some topic areas are specific to solar and battery energy storage, while others may be relevant to multiple variable or inverter-based resources.

Eligible Entities: Local Governments, Public Agencies, State Agencies, Tribal Government, Private Entities

How to Apply: Send comments to: SETO-SI-2023-RFI@ee.doe.gov

Request for Comment: Standards for Business Practices and Communication Protocols for Public Utilities

Application Status: Available, Input Opportunity

Deadline: December 12, 2023

Source: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) is soliciting public comment on the revision of the currently approved information collection, FERC–717 (Standards for Business Practices and Communication Protocols for Public Utilities).

Comments on the collections of information are due December 12, 2023.

Eligible Entities: Local Governments, Public Agencies, State Agencies, Tribal Government

Comment Log for Advanced Clean Cars II Amendments

Application Status: Available, Input Opportunity

Deadline: January 15, 2024

Opens: November 15, 2023

Source: California Air Resources Board

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) invites interested parties to submit comments on potential updates to the Advanced Clean Cars regulations. Staff will present initial topics at a public workshop on November 15. The presentation materials will be available after the workshop on the Advanced Clean Cars website. The presentation covers concepts for regulatory updates to CARB’s low-emission vehicle (LEV) greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards for model years beyond 2025; coordination between California’s LEV IV and the proposed federal Tier 4 program for light- and medium-duty vehicle criteria air pollutant requirements; and emerging topics and implementation updates related to CARB’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) regulation. Staff will consider comments received at the workshop and on this comment docket in further developing regulatory proposals to be presented at future workshops and outreach events. This docket will open for public comment on November 15, 2023.

Eligible Entities: Local Governments, Public Agencies, Tribal Government, CBOs

LCFS Fuel Pathways Public Comments

Application Status: Available, Input Opportunity

Deadline: December 31, 2030

Source: California Air Resources Board

Eligible Entities: Local Governments, Public Agencies, Tribal Government, CBOs

Previous Comment Letters

See below a list of formal comment letters that CCEC has submitted on various state or federally-administered programs. These letters are informed by CCEC’s Statewide Best Practices Coordinator as well as CCEC’s broader statewide network of local government staff and climate practitioners.

The comments below respond to the CEC’s Contractor Training for Inflation Reduction Act Residential Energy Rebate Programs RFI. They were compiled primarily from a discussion that took place during the CCEC’s Local Energy Resources Network (LERN) meeting on September 12, 2023 (meeting recording and slides can be accessed here). This meeting was attended by almost 80 members of our network consisting primarily of staff from local governments, regional & State agencies, and their partners in nonprofit and private sector companies. This meeting featured an interactive input session which followed a presentation by Carol Schmitt, Rebates & Incentives Supervisor with the Reliability, Renewable Energy & Decarbonization Incentives (RREDI) Division of the CEC. Comments shared during this input session were captured directly in this Jamboard, as well as in the chat and verbally.
The full submitted comment letter can be found here.

This letter provides comment to the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GHG RF). This program provides competitive funding for financial and technical assistance to enable zero-emission technologies and projects that reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions and criteria air pollution, including in low-income and disadvantaged communities.
These comments and recommendations respond to the questions posed by the EPA in the RFI and reflect the needs and priorities of the larger CCEC network. This letter highlights that the State of California, local governments, and other community-serving organizations can serve as the EPA’s best partners in achieving the emissions and equity goals outlined in the RFI and alleviating burdens and barriers impeding greater progress at the local level.
The full submitted comment letter can be found here.

This comment letter provides comment to the California Energy Commission’s 2022 Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR). This report provides updates on a variety of energy issues facing California and information on emerging topics related to energy reliability, western electricity integration, hydrogen, gasoline prices, gas transition, and distributed energy resources.
This letter highlights the ways in which local governments and other community-serving organizations can serve as the State’s best partners in achieving the clean energy and equity goals outlined in the IEPR while more effectively taking advantage of upcoming federal funding opportunities.
The full submitted comment letter can be found here.

This document was submitted in response to the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) request for public comments on its Draft 2022 Scoping Plan, released on May 10, 2022. These comments were compiled among the network served by CCEC, composed primarily of California local governments and those that work with them, including members of the Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition (LGSEC). The CARB Scoping Plan lays out the sector-by-sector roadmap for California to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 or earlier, outlining a technologically feasible, cost-effective, and equity-focused path to achieve the state’s climate target.
These comments highlight the need for more effective local coordination and financial investment in local governments to effectively meet the goals outlined in the Scoping Plan.
The full submitted comment letter can be found here.

This letter provides comment on the California Energy Commission’s (CEC) Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Competitive Program Request for Information. This program is designed to assist states, local governments, and Tribes in implementing strategies to reduce energy use, to reduce fossil fuel emissions, and to improve energy efficiency.
The comments in this letter highlight the ways in which California local governments and other community-serving organizations can serve as the DOE’s best partners in achieving the emissions and equity goals outlined in the RFI and alleviating burdens and barriers impeding 5greater progress at the local level.
The full submitted comment letter can be found here.