The residential and commercial energy efficiency and renewable energy offerings of EmPower Program, administered by Santa Barbara County and previously limited to use by County residents and businesses, is expanding to Ventura and San Luis Obispo Counties. Read more in coverage by the Santa Maria Sun below (and here):
More people will have access to energy-efficient upgrades, thanks to an expansion of a program that began in Santa Barbara County.
EmPower Santa Barbara County has become emPower Central Coast, expanding its services to Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties as well as increasing the number of energy efficient services it provides.
“We’re really excited to be bringing the program to residents in San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties and increasing energy efficiency education outreach,” said Angie Hacker, emPower Central Coast’s program manager.
The program, which began 2-1/2 years ago, has been fully funded externally with grants from the U.S. Department of Energy. Now state agencies have come aboard.
“Because we had an innovative program already up and running and increasing energy efficiency for so many residents, the state was willing to give us additional funding,” Hacker said.
The California Energy Commission, along with Southern California Gas, PG&E and SEC, will provide the additional funding.
Along with the expansion into the tri counties area, emPower’s additional grant funding allowed the program to increase its utility incentives from a maximum of $4,500 to $6,500 and increased its Home Upgrade Loans.
Hacker said there are roughly 5.8 million homes needing energy-efficient retrofits in the state.
Read more in the Santa Maria Sun here.