At CCEC, we know communities are at different stages of working on various local climate and energy priorities. Whether you’re building EV charging infrastructure, helping property owners afford energy upgrades, or developing electrification plans and codes, you need a way to find all the best information when you’re ready to use it to inform your work. This resource library is designed to give you multiple ways to access the broad array of resources CCEC continuously compiles immediately. Here are a few examples of how you might use the search box or the filters to query our content:
You’ve been directed to initiate a new energy or climate project and hope to advance your knowledge and accelerate the process by accessing relevant best practices, case studies, technical assistance, guides, learning events, reports, and tools;
Your organization wants to expand its initiatives but lacks sufficient resources, and you need to identify possible funding sources;
You want to get an idea of the kinds of initiatives other communities are doing, especially in your region or for a particular sector;
and many more!
Don’t see an important resource or have one to share? Let us know by contacting eecoordinator@civicwell.org.
Best Practices, Case Study
2020 Virtual Beacon Award Ceremony
The Institute for Local Government is celebrating Beacon Award winners virtually this year, in conjunction with the virtual Statewide Energy Efficiency Forum. For more than 11 years, the Beacon Program has encouraged, supported and recognized voluntary action by local governments throughout California to address climate change, promote energy innovation and foster more vibrant communities. Beacon participants are leaders in creating communities that have cleaner air and water, more efficient transportation options, and a healthier use of natural resources. Join us in a virtual award celebration, featuring recorded remarks from Former State Senator Fran Pavley, honoring 36 award-winning cities from across the state that have taken significant steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save energy, implement sustainability best practices, and so much more.
Topic Areas: CCEC Forum, Clean Energy, Climate Change, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Energy Saving Solutions, Health and Social Environment, Natural and Managed Resources, Public Agencies, Sustainability
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2020 CCEC Forum Resources
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Natural and Managed Resources, Tariffed On-Bill Financing, Workforce Development
Additional notes of interest: legislation
Learning Event
Accelerating Clean Energy in Rural and Disadvantaged Communities
Energy efficiency works the same in rural and disadvantaged communities as it does anywhere else, right? The short answer is, not exactly.
Implementing clean energy projects in these communities comes with its own unique set of challenges, some of which include fiscal, geographical, and political. During this breakout session, we will take a closer look at how people in these communities are able to achieve success in implementing clean energy projects despite their many obstacles.
To illustrate these challenges and successes, this panel will explore energy efficiency from each perspective including small cities with a population of less than 20,000, a larger city with a population of more than 500,000 as well as the energy efficiency program implementer in their service territory. All of the cities represented are classified as disadvantaged and 2 of the 3 are classified as rural as per the CalEnviroScreen 4.0 tool.
Speakers
Ann Kloose, City Of Fresno Sustainably Division
Mark Staples, City of Taft, Director of Planning and Development Services
Christine Viterelli, City of Arvin, Grants Manager
Rochelle Butler (Moderator), SJVCEO, Energy Manager
Michelle Villa (She,Her), Willdan Energy Solutions, Account Manager
Name: Rochelle Butler
Title: Energy Manager
Organization: San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization
The purpose of ATP is to encourage increased use of active modes of transportation by achieving the following goals:
Increase the proportion of trips accomplished by biking and walking Increase safety and mobility for non-motorized users Advance the active transportation efforts of regional agencies to achieve Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction goals, pursuant to SB 375 (of 2008) and SB 341 (of 2009) Enhance public health Ensure that disadvantaged communities fully share in the benefits of the program Provide a broad spectrum of projects to benefit many types of active transportation users
Organization: Caltrans
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Financing/Funding, Grants Programs, Implementation, Planning
The Adaptation Clearinghouse is a centralized source of information and resources to assist decision makers at the state, regional, and local levels when planning for and implementing climate adaptation projects to promote resiliency across California.
Organization: Governor's Office of Planning Research
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Change, Financing/Funding, Information Clearinghouse
Learning Event
Advanced Community Energy
UC Irvine’s Advanced Power and Energy Program partnered with the City of Huntington Beach, Altura Associates, Southern California Edison, and Southern California Gas, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to develop tools to optimally design and operate an Advanced Energy Community in Oak View community.
Organization: UC Irvine's Advanced Power and Energy Program
MCE, The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), BayREN, Napa County, and PG&E have joined efforts to help property owners in Napa County who lost homes in the October 2017 and 2018 wildfires. Advanced Energy Rebuild Napa will provide incentive to support homeowners in rebuilding energy efficient, sustainable homes to 2016 code.
The Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program makes it easier for Californians to drive less by making sure housing, jobs, and key destinations are accessible by walking, biking, and transit.
TerraVerde recently supported one of their clients in buying out their solar PPA. This client, a Water Agency served by Southern California Edison (SCE) negotiated a buyout by leveraging available capital, monetizing renewable energy certificates and increasing energy production by re-powering the system. The agency Increased their utility bill savings, made revenue from energy certificates and will have a net financial outcome of 7.9% IRR.
Since the mid-1990s, Alameda County’s Energy Program, under the County’s General Services Agency (GSA), has been able to continually implement energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in County facilities. Two programs fund this success: a Designated Energy Fund and a departmental utility bill surcharge. Through a Demand-side energy saving program with PG&E to reduce energy use and demand, the County was able to amass $3,000,000 in incentives over 10 years. With these incentives, the County established an energy “incentives” fund. The Energy Fund has been used to fill financing gaps, purchase and install more efficient equipment, and to subsidize on-site energy generation projects with long payback periods. Having the money for a project was not enough. To operate the program, the County adopted a utility surcharge on the utility bills for each County department. The surcharge covers the cost to staff the Energy Program that manages energy efficiency and renewable energy project development, quality control, savings analysis, and financing.
Through this American Rescue Plan Act Build Back Better Regional Challenge Notice of Funding Opportunity (ARPA BBBRC NOFO), EDA aims to assist communities and regions impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic has caused, and continues to cause, economic injury to U.S. communities and regions in devastating and unprecedented ways. This ARPA BBBRC NOFO is designed as a two-phase competition to (1) help regions develop transformational economic development strategies and (2) fund the implementation of those strategies that will create and grow regional growth clusters. Such efforts will help regional economies recover from the pandemic and build economic diversity and resiliency to mitigate impacts of future economic disasters.
Organization: US Department of Commerce
Organization Type: Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide, Out of State
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Change, Direct Assistance, Economic Development, Financing/Funding, Grants Programs
ARB offset credits are issued to offset projects that meet specific requirements in the Cap-and-Trade Regulation. ARB offset credits, which may be used for compliance in the Cap-and-Trade Program, represent verified greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions or removal enhancements achieved under ARB’s Compliance Offset Protocols or approved early action quantification methodologies.
Organization: California Air Resources Board
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Carbon Credit Market, Clean Energy, Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Change, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments, Nonprofit, Tribal Governments
SoCalREN’s Architecture, Construction, Engineering Students (ACES) Pathway Program encourages middle school and high school students to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). Currently, six high schools participate in ACES, with nearly 400 students enrolled in the program. Students have access to earning transferable college credits through their local community college and paid summer internships. The goal of this program is to provide students hands-on experience to enter the architecture, engineering, sustainability, fuel cell technologies, advanced manufacturing, construction, renewable energy, hydrogen technology, and surveying industries. This program addresses the gaps seen in these industries of people of color and community members.
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards, Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Resilience, Outreach and Engagement, Partnerships, Sustainability
While large metropolitan cities have been working on climate change mitigation projects for years, many of California’s smaller jurisdictions are in much earlier stages of grappling with greenhouse gas emissions. Many of these cities and counties lack the necessary staff and funds to devote to greenhouse gas reduction projects, and as a result, the vast majority of AMBAG’s 21 jurisdictions had not quantified their baseline GHG emissions as of 2009. Recognizing the need for more support with local climate change efforts, AMBAG designed a program that would yield the following results: • completion of local government operations inventories in 100% of AMBAG jurisdictions at NO COST to the municipal governments; • capacity-building for jurisdictional staff; • community capacity-building in the field of climate change mitigation; and • standardized greenhouse gas inventories for regional comparability.
Organization: AMBAG
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Central Coast
Published in 2011
Topic Areas: Climate Change
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event
At the Table: Local Governments’ Role in Energy Regulation
How to decarbonize, maintain affordability, enhance resilience and address historic environmental injustices, among other critical issues in the energy sector are determined largely through regulatory processes under the California Public Utilities and Energy commissions. Join the Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition (LGSEC) for a Regulatory Primer to better understand how regulatory policies create opportunities and threats for local governments. Hear from members about regulatory successes that have helped achieve local climate and energy goals, and exposed community-based problems for which state decision makers were unaware. Learn how collaborating with other local governments can tailor statewide decision-making to address local needs while filling capacity gaps.
Speakers
Steven Moss, M.Cubed, LGSEC Regulatory Consultant, Partner
Alelia Parenteau (she/her), City of Santa Barbara, Sustainability & Resilience Director
Jennifer Berg (She/Her), BayREN, Director, Energy Programs
Garrett Wong (he/him/his) (Moderator), County of Santa Barbara, Climate Program Manager
Name: Sarina Soor
Title: Project Manager
Organization: Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition
Atlanta Georgia leveraged tax-increment financing (or in their case, a tax allocation district) to finance the Atlanta Beltline. This mechanism operates on the assumption that the property values of an area will rise as a consequence of development. The increase in value from developed properties is considered city revenue and, after the city fulfills obligations investors and bond-holders, can be used to support sustainability staff and projects. This $4.8 billion urban development project provides transportation access in addition to resilient revenue streams for the area and is expected to create 30,000 permanent jobs and 5,600 units of affordable workforce housing, among a number of other community and environmental benefits.
Organization: City of Atlanta
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Out of State
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding, Internal Funding Best Practices, Levy New Taxes or Fees
San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) convened a community steering committee and developed the Community Emissions Reduction Program: South Central Fresno (Program) in coordination and consultation with the community steering committee. At the request of the community steering committee, SJVAPCD also organized a community air monitoring subcommittee composed of community steering committee members interested in participating in more detailed discussions and planning regarding the Community Air Monitoring Plan. The Program focuses on reducing exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), toxic air contaminants (TAC), as well as oxides of nitrogen (NOx)
Name: Ashley Werner
Title: Directing Attorney
Organization: Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability
The Bay Area Multifamily Building Enhancements Program administered by SF Environment helped Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation save energy and money resulting in rent reductions for some renters. Find out how this program helped with San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development goals of making homes more affordable.
In June 2016, Bay Area voters agreed to a new $12-a-year parcel tax that would bring in $500 million over the next twenty years. This funding will support wetland restoration projects intended to reduce pollution of local waters, expand wildlife habitat, and shield communities from flooding.
Organization: Save the Bay
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding, Internal Funding Best Practices, Levy New Taxes or Fees, Natural and Managed Resources
SunShares pools the buying power of all 9 Bay Area counties to negotiate significant discounts on solar + storage. Sunshares makes it simpler and more affordable for Bay Area residents to go solar with the goal of accelerating clean energy adoption and building regional resilience to climate change. For a limited time each year (Sept. 1 – Nov. 30), Bay Area Sunshares offers significant discounts on solar + storage from pre-vetted installers that serve the entire Bay Area. In addition to significant discounts, Bay Area Sunshares provides educational resources and events to make it easier to understand your clean energy options, and decide what’s best for you.
Organization: Bay Area Sunshares
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Businesses, Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Resilience, Energy Saving Solutions, Public Agencies, Renewable Energy & Storage, Residential, Sustainability
This rebate program from BayREN offers homeowners up to $5,000 for doing things like insulation, weatherization, and other energy saving updates. The process for homeowners is to go through their county and get connected to Participating Contractors. If homeowners lack information on energy savings and processes, BayREN offers their Home Energy Advisor Hotline – (866) 878-6008 – which helps homeowners understand the step by step process. Another benefit from this service is that advisors will refer homeowners to complementary programs (financing, solar). BayREN encourages local governments to share these services so homeowners feel more prepared to install and retrofit their homes.
After reviewing the recommendations from the Bay Area Multifamily Building Enhancements program, John Gianaras was able to asses and implement water and energy upgrades that were able to save money for himself as well as his residents.
Organization: BayREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Energy Resilience, Energy Saving Solutions, Financing/Funding, Residential
Noble Tower, an affordable senior housing community, participated in the Bay Area Regional Energy Network’s multifamily rebate program. This project aims to provide residents with better, more efficient equipment and lower energy bills.
Thanks to the Bay Area Multi-family Building Enhancements (BAMBE) program which provides flexible rebates and project support, and the programs energy partner, Association on for Energy Affordability, Prometheus, a company that owns and manages 55 properties on the West Coast, was able to transform this giant 766-unit property into a welcoming, efficient place to live. The multi-year renovation, which was completed in 2017, included adding ENERGY STAR® washers and dryers, low-E windows, new toilets, appliances and finishes while updating air circulation on in hallways, heaters and boilers.
Organization: BayREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Energy Resilience, Energy Saving Solutions, Financing/Funding, Residential
The Bay Area Multifamily Building Enhancements Program administered by SF Environment helped Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation save energy and money resulting in rent reductions for some renters. Find out how this program helped with San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development goals of making homes more affordable.
Rebates for energy efficiency measures in single-family homes. Rebates available for Heat Pump Water Heater, Heat Pump HVAC, Heat Pump Clothes Dryer, Induction Cooktop
In today’s Regional Forum held by the Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN), StopWaste presented on how the City of Berkeley’s Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance (RECO) was updated to the new Building Energy Savings Ordinance, or “BESO,” why it was updated, and how the new BESO, or a version thereof, could be a gentle but powerful move that could be used by many local governments to make residential energy improvements easy, accessible, and desirable – without mandating them.
Organization: StopWaste
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Date: March 29, 2016
Published in 2016
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency, Energy Saving Solutions, Residential
Property assessed clean energy (PACE) programs allow property owners to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects on their home or business and pay the project cost back as a line item on their property tax bill over a 20-year period. This innovative financing mechanism was first piloted by the City of Berkeley in 2008-09. Berkeley’s pilot program, called Berkeley FIRST (Financing Initiative for Renewable Solar Technology), provided financing for solar photovoltaic (PV) installations and is serving as a national model. Cities and states across the country are using the Berkeley FIRST model to launch solar and energy efficiency financing programs in their communities. In California, a statewide PACE program called California FIRST is expected to launch in 2010; Berkeley will participate in the California FIRST program. California FIRST will include financing for not only solar PV, but also solar thermal, and energy and water efficiency improvements. Berkeley FIRST is a strategy of the Berkeley Climate Action Plan.
Organization: SEEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2011
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Best Practices
Best Practices for Virtual Engagement
Strategies for local agencies to gain community feedback during COVID-19. High and low tech options.
Learn more about the benefits of the Advanced Energy Community Projects and hear from other local governments who share best practices they have implemented in communities across California.
This fact sheet on engaging elected officials was presented as part of the Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative (SEEC) Best Practices Forum on June 19, 2014 in San Diego by Liz Yager from Sonoma County.
As the Energy and Sustainability Program Manager at the County of Sonoma, Liz works with elected officials from both Sonoma County and each of the nine cities within the county implementing energy related program across the region. As a Division manager Liz oversees the Sonoma county Energy Independence Program, the Sonoma County Energy Watch local government partnership with PG&E, in addition to her responsibility for internal utility and sustainability programs in County operations. SCEIP is one of the most successful and long running PACE financing programs in the country. Because energy efficiency programs are complex and historically have not been a core function of local government, Liz and her team lave had to learn how to properly engage elected officials on the topics in order to retain support for these programs. Her years of experience working with elected officials coming from different jurisdictions with different agendas are reflected in the fact sheet.
To date, the community facing aspects of the SCEW and SCEIP programs together have been responsible for over $70 million in local investment activity and have created or supported over 900 jobs.
Name: Liz Yager
Title: Energy and Sustainability Program Manager
Organization: County of Sonoma
Organization Type: City or County
Region: North Coast
Published in 2014
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Energy Saving Solutions
In this database, more than 200 CHP Project Profiles compiled by DOE’s CHP Technical Assistance Partnerships (TAPs) can be searched by a variety of characteristics.
Organization: U.S. Department of Energy
Organization Type: Federal Government/Agency
Region: Out of State
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Data Requests and Analysis, Energy Resilience
This document introduces readers to the benefits of integrating energy efficiency with other distributed energy resources to achieve resilience benefits. It describes two DOE tools that each provides high-level assessments of the size and potential cost of onsite energy systems that can power critical facilities, and presents case studies with completed analysis on potential energy investments at existing facilities managed by three partners in DOE’s Better Buildings Challenge.
Organization: U.S. Department of Energy
Organization Type: Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Data Requests and Analysis, Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Resilience, Energy Saving Solutions, Public Agencies
Funding Resources
Biomass Utilization Fund
Loans to small businesses, nonprofits and public entities including federally recognized Tribes located or locating in Tuolumne County that will provide an alternative to pile burning of forest waste.
Organization: Rural Community Assistance Corporation
BOOST works to increase local government capacity and address resource shortfalls by providing customized coaching – staff training, grant application support, and stakeholder and community engagement – to local governments. Selected communities receive support in the form of trainings, partnership development, community engagement, planning and implementation support, grant application assistance and communications support. This program is for, local governments, disadvantaged and/or low-income communities, demonstrated staff capacity challenges and a desire to work on specific projects related to the goals of BOOST.
Topic Areas: Grants Programs, Outreach and Engagement
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Learning Event
BPC Spotlight Event 1: How Disadvantaged Communities Can Take Advantage of Dedicated Energy and Climate Opportunities
The State of California has dedicated significant investment in energy and climate opportunities for “disadvantaged communities” (DACs), which suffer from economic, health, and environmental burdens. However, local governments representing DACs may lack the internal capacity to track and pursue these opportunities. This session will provide an overview of guiding DAC policies, definitions, and funding and technical assistance opportunities. If you’re a local government practitioner working in a community with DAC census tracts, please join a conversation with State and local speakers, facilitated by the Statewide Best Practices Coordinator, aimed at helping you better navigate the big dollar world of DACs to meet your energy and climate goals.
BPC Spotlight Event: How Local Governments Can Be Competitive in Today’s Funding Climate
Moderated by the Statewide Best Practices Coordinator, this session features experts that will review changing trends in relevant energy/climate funding sources, eligibility, and selection criteria and provide tips for how to write a competitive proposal to advance your organization’s strategic goals, including a live demo of how review a solicitation for “fit,” “deal-breakers,” and “score-boosters.” The Statewide Best Practices Coordinator will also share CCEC’s new Funding Resources website and database that can help you identify new ways to pay for your initiatives.
Name: Angie Hacker
Title: Statewide Best Practices Coordinator
Organization: Local Government Commission
Organization Type: State Government/Agency, Nonprofit Organization
In this June 2021 recording, Angie Hacker, the CCEC Statewide Best Practices Coordinator, interviews Shayna Hirshfield-Gold, Climate Coordinator with the City of Oakland, which is doing groundbreaking work to advance equity as part of its climate action efforts. As many in the State move forward from just counting carbon and kilowatts, we invite you to listen to a timely conversation on how to thoughtfully expand local climate work to effectively engage environmental justice voices and ideas and consider impacts and opportunities for historically underserved or marginalized communities. Shayna shares personal experiences and advice on pitfalls, best practices, and successes. Thanks to Oakland and Shayna for providing a leading example that other local governments can certainly learn from. https://www.youtube.com/embed/e7zpgFZ65cI?feature=oembed
Bringing Community Based Organizations to the Table to Expand EV Participation in Disadvantaged Communities
Expanding access to electric vehicles (EVs) and EV charging to people in low- to moderate-income and disadvantaged communities that have borne the brunt of air pollution is critical to improving local air quality. New and used EVs, purchased or leased with the help of local, state, and federal incentives, can also decrease individuals’ commuting costs through lower costs to operate and maintain an EV. The Center for Sustainable Energy will lead a panel discussion with well-respected leaders from community based organizations (CBOs) across California that work directly with disadvantaged communities. They will share best practices and examples of successful outreach methods that bring their audience in closer to better understand the benefits and funding incentives available. We will review why and how it is important for program administrators for EV and EV infrastructure programs to develop a deep and lasting relationships with trusted CBOs that understand their community needs and the issues to reduce barriers to EVs and EV charging acceptance. This informative panel discussion will also cover how CBOs help inform policy and program design through their understanding of their communities’ challenges and concerns. We hope you will join us for this impactful presentation.
Speakers
Lauri Walker (she/her/hers) (Moderator), Center for Sustainable Energy, Senior Manager, Equity
Flora Barron (She/Hers), Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee, Director of Economic Development
Christian A. Torres (He/him), Comite Civico del Valle, Special Projects Manager
Name: Lauri Walker
Title: Senior Manager, Equity
Organization: Center for Sustainable Energy
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: September 22, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Session
The Governor’s OPR will soon release the HIgh Road Just Transition Roadmap, which aims to incorporate economic diversification, industry planning, safety net updates, workforce development and regional collaboratives in the process of transitioning justly into a sustainable California with principles rooted in equity, inclusivity and good quality jobs.
Funding for the transition will come from CERF and divided into:
– High road transition collaboratives ($50 mill for regional grants)
– High road transition implementation pilots($50 mil in Diversification grants)
– High oad transition Implementation Grants ($500 mil on economic development – job creation)
Local governments wishing to be involved in the process are encouraged to engage by getting involved with collaboratives and by engaging in sustainability activities and economic development plans within their jurisdictions. They are also encouraged to join the OPR Just Transition listserv to receive updates from this program.
Name: Sarah L. White
Title: Senior Advisor: Jobs and the Economy
Organization: Governor's Office of Planning and Research
BUILD incentives are based on a project’s anticipated modeled greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction as compared to the mixed-fuel 2019 Energy Code prescriptive standards. Projects receiving BUILD incentives cannot result in higher utility bills for building occupants. Staff has developed a BUILD Calculator that applicants can use early in the design reservation step to estimate the incentive amounts available and ensure project designs meet the modeled resident bill savings requirements.
Organization: California Energy Commission
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Codes and Standards, Direct Assistance, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding, Incentives
Technical assistance is available for general or project specific inquiries throughout the phases of all electric residential building design and construction, supporting installations of near-zero emission equipment and technologies, and helping to fill knowledge gaps in the local permitting of all-electric residential buildings. Technical assistance also supports the BUILD incentive application process, from submittal of applications through program participation.
Organization: California Energy Commission
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Direct Assistance, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding, Technical Assistance
Here you will find the tools and resources used by the California Air Resources Board in order to achieve long-term carbon neutrality and building decarbonization goals. These include California’s Climate Change Scoping Plan, existing building codes, efforts being taken to go beyond mandatory building codes through Beyond Code, as well as efforts being put forward by other State departments and NGOs.
Name: Dana Waters
Title: Air Pollution Specialist
Organization: California Air Resources Board
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Email: dana.waters@arb.ca.gov
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Financing/Funding, Grants Programs, Sustainability
The purpose of this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is to select a prime contractor to lead a team of professional architectural and engineering consultants to provide technical support for:
Evaluating and implementing strategies to advance decarbonization of residential and nonresidential buildings and to increase Energy Code compliance.
Work will focus on developing innovative strategies to optimize the use and operations of buildings in order to reduce GHG emissions and improve Energy Code compliance.
Organization: California Energy Commission
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards, Direct Assistance, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding, Technical Assistance
Learning Event, Tool
Building Decarbonization Full Throttle: CPUC Updates and Regional Implementation
There are many barriers that exist on both the policy and implementation level that must be overcome if we are to meet the state goal of total carbon neutrality by 2045. This panel will provide information on the regulatory context for some recent activities at the CPUC, the role of regional programs in the Bay Area, and using different funding sources to enhance decarbonization efforts. Topics will include the 2019 changes to the energy efficiency “three prong test” that precluded fuel- substitution measures, the BUILD and TECH programs, and the Self Generation Incentive Program, and the Bay Area Regional Energy Networkʼs residential programs and Codes and Standards efforts, along with non-ratepayer funding sources which have been leveraged to provide more value to consumers. Finally, the panel will highlight the Bay Area Air Quality Management Districtʼs regional programs that focus on the air quality and health benefits of building decarbonization.
Name: Jennifer Berg
Title: Energy Programs Manager
Organization: Association of Bay Area Governments
Organization Type: Other Local Government, State Government/Agency, Governmental Association, Nonprofit Organization
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, CCEC Forum, Clean Energy, Codes and Standards, Energy Saving Solutions, Health and Social Environment, Public Agencies, Residential
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Residential
Additional notes of interest: 2020 CCEC Forum Resources
Learning Event, Tool
Building Decarbonization Policy Tools for California Local Governments
The Building Decarbonization Coalition (BDC), in partnership with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) and the Bay Area Regional Collaborative (BARC), is launching a new comprehensive building decarbonization policy clearinghouse for local governments. This web- based tool, the Clean Building Compass, is designed for local government staff and elected officials seeking guidance on a spectrum of different building decarbonization policy pathways. The Compass intends to support local governments with the development, adoption and implementation of different building-focused strategies.
In this session, attendees will learn about how the Clean Building Compass can help their community with reducing GHG emissions from the building sector, see a demonstration of the Compassʼs functions, and explore different applications for the tool.
Name: Abby Young
Title: Climate Protection Manager
Organization: Bay Area Air Quality Management District
Organization Type: Other Local Government, Other Private Sector Business, Business or Trade Association, Nonprofit Organization
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Businesses, Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Resilience, Energy Saving Solutions, Public Agencies, Residential
Learning Event
Building Electrification: Dystopian Novel or an Opportunity for Equitable Action
Real and perceived barriers to building electrification, renewable generation, and advanced energy storage paint the outline to the next hit novel chronicling a dystopian future. Imagine a world not so far off, perhaps only a few generations, where we have electrified communities, resilient to the escalating climate crisis. Who are they and will conflict emerge between those who have reliable access to resources and those who do not?
The goal is simple—to discuss how to keep this potential eventuality squarely in the fiction section of our collective future. To achieve our goal, panelists will discuss how policy, energy code and programs intersect with building electrification and equitable access to resources. Focus will be placed on discussing barriers, community messaging and recommended actions to accelerate equitable change.
Speakers
Rochelle Butler, SJVCEO, Energy Manager
Lou Jacobson (Moderator), Willdan, Senior Program Manager
Jessie Knapstein (she/her), Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc. (E3), Senior Managing Consultant
Jordan Garbayo, Tri-County Regional Energy Network, County of San Luis Obispo, Energy Program Manager
Jaime Alonso (He/Him), GRID Alternatives Inland Empire, Executive Director
Jose Buendia, Southern California Edison, Sr. Project Manager
Organization Type: Governmental Association, Other Private Sector Business, Nonprofit Organization
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Residential
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Session
Learning Event
Building Equity into Policy & Programs with SOMAH
Join the Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) team for an interactive discussion on this pioneering program and opportunities to bring its impact to your community. The team will walk through the program’s equity-driven approach to a state-level solar incentive program, with a walkthrough of how equity is integrated into the program’s policies and implementation. There will be breakout sessions focused on two of the program’s pillars: 1) community-based organization partnerships and tenant education, and 2) workforce development. Attendees will walk away with an understanding of the program, its goals, and how local governments may be able to access SOMAH’s nearly $1 billion in incentives.
Topic Areas: CCEC Forum, Incentives, Partnerships, Renewable Energy & Storage, Workforce Development
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit
Additional notes of interest: 2021 CCEC Forum Resources
Learning Event
Building Operator Certification
Learn more about the benefits of the Building Operator Certification Program and hear from other local governments who have implemented this valuable resources for their local building officials.
The Building Energy Benchmarking program requires owners of large buildings to report energy use to the California Energy Commission (CEC). These resources will help building owners and managers achieve higher building energy efficiency.
Organization: California Energy Commission
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Businesses, Climate Planning, Energy Resilience, Energy Saving Solutions, Residential
3C-REN’s Building Performance Training is tailored for current and prospective building professionals—with expert instruction, technical trainings, soft skills development and certifications on the latest energy efficiency methods and measures. Building Performance Training is available to designers, contractors, building and safety staff ,realtors and more. Learning units and certifications on various topics such as building science, energy code, decarbonizing technologies, passive house and more are offered through this program. To date, Building Performance Training has trained over 1,200 individuals and is currently exploring how to extend the program’s offerings to younger people and people going through career transitions.
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) will support states, local communities, tribes and territories as they undertake hazard mitigation projects, reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards.
The BRIC program guiding principles are supporting communities through capability- and capacity-building; encouraging and enabling innovation; promoting partnerships; enabling large projects; maintaining flexibility; and providing consistency.
Organization: FEMA
Organization Type: Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide, Out of State
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Change, Communication, Direct Assistance, Financing/Funding, Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Tribal Governments
CAL FIRE’s Forest Health Program funds active restoration and reforestation activities aimed at providing for more resilient and sustained forests to ensure future existence of forests in California while also mitigating climate change, protecting communities from fire risk, strengthening rural economies and improving California’s water & air.
Organization: CalFire
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Climate Change, Direct Assistance, Financing/Funding, Natural and Managed Resources
CDC Funded Climate and Health Adaptation program maintains the Climate Change and Health Vulnerability Indicators and web based visualized data and other resources focused on public health sector, but also useful for tribes and other stakeholders. The project focuses on providing technical assistance, claimte adaptation and health subject matter expertise and integrating public climate and health considerations into climate planning and actions across agencies and stakeholder efforts in climate adaptation and mitigation. This project also focuses on inter and cross sector collaborative efforts for climate change and public health adaptation in the San Diego Region.
Organization: California Department of Public Health-Office of Health Equity
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Change, Data Access or Analysis, Direct Assistance, Financing/Funding, Grants Programs, Implementation, Information Clearinghouse, Planning, Technical Assistance
In January 2017, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), on behalf of the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), released Version 3.0 of the California Communities Environmental Health Screening Tool (CalEnviroScreen). CalEnviroScreen identifies California communities by census tract that are disproportionately burdened by, and vulnerable to, multiple sources of pollution.
Organization Administering Program: California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) Organization Type: State
Organization: California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Change, Data Access or Analysis, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Local Governments, Residential
This dataset was created to better understand the concentration of disadvantaged communities within the boundaries of cities, towns and counties in California.
One of the most important measures California uses to classify disadvantaged communities is CalEnviroScreen. This is done by census tract, but census tracts do not translate easily into municipal boundaries. A single census tract may exist within zero, one, or more, cities or towns.
Similarly, a single city, town or county often contains multiple census tracts. This makes it difficult to tell what proportion has been designated as disadvantaged.
This dataset allows users to tell what proportion of the population (in 2010) of a city, town, or county resided in census tracts at or above various percentiles in CalEnviroScreen.
*Note: This resource was not created or approved by the State of California.
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Change, Data Requests and Analysis, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Local Governments, Residential
California City used 0% on-bill financing, from Southern California Edison, to pay for a well pump retrofit. The improvement resulted in new infrastructure and $16,000 in annual energy savings, paying for itself in just three and a half years.
Organization: California City
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin Valley
Topic Areas: External Funding Best Practices, Financing/Funding, On-Bill Financing
Through the California Climate Investments (CCI) Fire Prevention Grant Program, CAL FIRE aims to reduce the risk of wildland fires to habitable structures and communities, while maximizing carbon sequestration in healthy wildland habitat and minimizing the uncontrolled release of emissions emitted by wildfires.
The California Climate Investment Technical Assistance Program (CCI TA) provides technical assistance and builds capacity for California’s most under-resourced communities.
Organization: California Strategic Growth Council
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Change, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding, Technical Assistance
The California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP) offers incentives for the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure at publicly accessible sites throughout California.
Organization: California Energy Commission
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Financing/Funding, Incentives
By empowering the work of nonprofit organizations and government entities through grant-making, we’re striving towards a state that is a healthier place to live, free from social inequality and racial injustice; one that can become a model for the rest of the nation.
Organization: California Endowment Fund
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, CleanTech, Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Change, Economic Development, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding, Grants Programs, Implementation, Planning, Renewable Energy & Storage
Best Practices
California Hub for Energy Efficiency FInancing Affordable Multifamily EE financing Program
Equipment finance agreements from $10k-$250k; energy service agreements from $250,000 to $10 million for multifamily properties where at least 50% of unites are restricted to low-to moderate income households. The program complements existing affordable multifamily energy programs like SOMAH and LIWP
Name: Kaylee D'Amico
Title: Marketing & Outreach Specialist
Organization: California State Treasurer's Office
Organization Type: Other Local Government, State Government/Agency
Topic Areas: Energy Saving Solutions, Financing/Funding, Residential
Best Practices
California Hub for Energy Efficiency Financing Small Business EE Financing Program
Leases and equipment finance agreements from $10,000 to $5 million with terms up to 10 years for small businesses and nonprofits which can be combined with utility incentives and financing programs.
The California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank) is the State of California’s only general-purpose financing authority. The Legislature created IBank in 1994 to finance public infrastructure and private development that promote a healthy climate for jobs, contribute to a strong economy, and improve the quality of life in California communities.
IBank’s current programs include the Infrastructure State Revolving Fund (ISRF) Program; Bond Financing Program, including: 501(c)(3) Bonds, Industrial Development Bonds; Exempt Facility Bonds; and Public Agency Revenue Bonds; as well as the Small Business Finance Center. In addition, IBank created the California Lending for Energy and Environmental Needs Center – CLEEN Center – to help meet the State’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals.
Organization: California iBank
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Change, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments, Nonprofit, Tribal Governments
IBank’s California Lending for Energy and Environmental Needs (CLEEN) program provides low-cost direct public financing to local governments and nonprofits sponsored by public agencies to help meet the state’s goals for greenhouse gas reduction, water conservation, and environmental preservation. The CLEEN Center offers two programs: the Statewide Energy Efficiency Program (SWEEP) and the Light Emitting Diode Street Lighting (LED) program. Financing can be through a direct loan from IBank or through publicly offered tax-exempt bonds in amounts from $500,000 to $30 million.
Organization: Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Direct Assistance, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding
Climate change is pushing California’s already volatile climate towards greater extremes. Over the past decade, record droughts, floods, wildfires, and extreme heat events have threatened communities across the state. The California Resilience Challenge is a statewide effort, led by businesses and a diverse range of partners, to build local climate resilience and support a shared vision for a resilient California in the face of increasing climate threats.
The California Schools Healthy Air, Plumbing, and Efficiency Program (CalSHAPE) provides funding to upgrade heating, air conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC) systems in public schools and replaces noncompliant plumbing fixtures and appliances that fail to meet water efficiency standards.
Organization: California Energy Commission
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Topic Areas: Direct Assistance, Energy Saving Solutions, Financing/Funding
Case Study
California SGIP Program Provides incentives for batteries
TerraVerde is providing regular updates on the status and funding availability for commercial-scale battery projects. The California’s Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP), depending on location of the project and type of facility, can cover between 30-100% of the costs of a battery energy storage project. However, given the rich incentive levels, and the increased demand for energy storage, the funding available for these incentives is moving quickly. The available incentives programs are dependent on energy providers and include the Base Incentive for IOU customers, Resiliency Adder for IOU/CCA customers and in High Fire Threat Districts and the Equity Resiliency for IOU/CCA HFTD’s customers serving disadvantaged communities.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) developed the Clean California Local Grant Program through which funds will go to local communities to beautify and improve local streets and roads, tribal lands, parks, pathways, and transit centers. Through the combination of adding beautification measures and art in public spaces along with the removal of litter and debris, this effort will enhance communities and improve spaces for walking and recreation.
Learn below and in this benchmarking case study how the Valley Innovative Energy Watch is serving its jurisdictions by regionalizing building energy benchmarking efforts:
Introduction
2010 was just the right time for the Valley Innovative Energy Watch (VIEW) partnership to start. All 8 VIEW local governments had accepted Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant funding for energy efficiency projects, and utilities began providing support for the California Long Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan through their partnerships. The VIEW partners understood that local governments need a solid understanding of their energy usage, and ideally an Energy Management System (EMS). However, the Partnership could not afford an EMS for each partner. Instead, the local government partners would make use of the implementer’s resources, and use benchmarking as a way to serve all jurisdictions equally.
Why benchmark?
Data becomes a roadmap for:
Project investment
Energy Action Plans
Targeted awareness efforts
It identifies less efficient buildings
It tracks results of efficiency measures
It helps comply with the State’s commercial building energy disclosure law
Organization: SEEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Joaquin Valley
Published in 2012
Topic Areas: Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding, Re-invest Municipal Savings
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program provides annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities, and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.
Organization: Housing and Urban Development
Organization Type: Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide, Out of State
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: CleanTech, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding, Grants Programs
To meet its clean energy goals, California needs new renewable and storage resources, including rooftop solar and storage projects. Per the 2021 Senate Bill 100 Joint Agency Report, achieving 100% clean electricity in California requires an acceleration of the development of rooftop solar projects. CalAPP funding is intended to encourage cities and counties to further enhance permitting processes and accelerate processing and turnaround time, particularly regarding plan review.
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Clean Energy, Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency, Energy Resilience, Financing/Funding, Health and Social Environment
As California recovers from the COVID-19 Pandemic, local governments will be tasked with implementing cross-cutting programs that tackle issues of affordable housing, homelessness, water resiliency, and the environment altogether. Oftentimes, projects that address the issues of affordable housing, homelessness, water, and the environment are developed separately. Through local regional partnerships, these projects can be united in their goals to promote equity and climate resiliency. The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) and its regional partners will present on three regional programs that represent these ideals. The highlighted programs include the San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust, the Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN), and the Water Policy and Technical Advisory Committees. These programs represent the power and benefits of regional partnerships at accomplishing intersectional goals. Speakers will share strategies and recommendations for local jurisdictions, community partners, and agencies to address intersectional issues by embedding regional partners in institutional processes and practices.
Name: Samuel Pedersen
Title: Management Analyst
Organization: San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
Organization Type: Other Local Government, Governmental Association, Electric Utility or CCA
Topic Areas: CCEC Forum, Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, Health and Social Environment, Partnerships, Resources and Opportunities
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit
Additional notes of interest: 2021 CCEC Forum Resources
The Charge! Program provides grant funding to offset the cost of purchasing and installing new publicly accessible (multi-unit dwelling located projects are not subject to public accessibility requirements) chargers for light-duty electric vehicles (EVs) at workplaces, destinations, transit parking locations, along transportation corridors, and at multi-unit dwelling facilities. The goal of the Charge! Program is to rapidly expand access to EV charging stations to help achieve the Bay Area’s EV-adoption goals of 90 percent of the overall vehicle fleet by 2050. As of the end of 2020, there were more than 210,000 EVs registered to Bay Area drivers. This program has been funded through the Air District’s Transportation Fund for Clean Air Regional Fund and Mobile Source Incentive Fund which provides grants to improve air quality within the nine-county Bay Area by reducing emissions of pollutants from on-road vehicles, and may include additional funding sources as available.
Organization: Bay Area Air Quality Management District
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, Direct Assistance, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding
This fact sheet provides an overview on using CHP to protect critical infrastructure, and how CHP can help create a more resilient and modern grid that keeps communities safe and protects businesses in the event of a large-scale power outage.
Organization: DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
Organization Type: Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Businesses, Climate Planning, Energy Resilience, Energy Saving Solutions, Public Agencies, Residential
The City of Chula Vista has long been a leader in resource conservation. As part of its multidepartmental Climate Protection Program, the City adopted the Free Resource & Energy Business Evaluation (FREBE, pronounced “Free-bee”) ordinance to encourage and assist local businesses to reduce their energy consumption and utility bills. The measure encourages commercial and industrial businesses to participate in an energy and water evaluation of their premises. It helps businesses identify energy efficiency and water conservation opportunities at their facilities and take advantage of rebate, incentive, and financing programs for improvements solely at the business’s discretion. The evaluations, which are offered at no cost, apply to licensed businesses with a physical storefront and/or office location.
Name: Patrick Stoner
Title: Statewide Local Government Energy Efficiency Best Practices Coordinator
Organization: SEEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Diego
Published in 2010
Topic Areas: Businesses, Energy Efficiency, Energy Saving Solutions
The Sustainable Communities Program (SCP) is one of the main components of the Chula Vista Local Government Partnership (LGP) with SDG&E. The SCP was launched in 2009 and is led by a SCP Coordinator with support from other Development Services Department staff. The SCP directly supports a number of goals in the California Long-term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan, especially related to “reach” codes and energy code compliance. The program has made possible the following:
Adoption of the Reach Code – The Increased Energy Efficiency Ordinance that requires an additional 15%- 20% of energy savings (over 2008 Title 24) for new construction and some remodels was adopted in January 2010.
Expedited Plan Review – Chula Vista also offers a voluntary program that will expedite Plan Review for projects that reach the energy savings of CalGreen’s Tier 2 at 30% better than the State Energy Code.
Future Energy Efficiency Measures – new homes are required to be pre-wired for future Photovoltaics and pre-plumbed for future Solar Thermal Heating.
City of Albany proposed Measure DD to increase the UUT from 7 percent to 9.5 percent for electricity and gas and apply a tax to water service at 7.5 percent. The measure passed. The measure is estimated to generate an additional $675,600 in new revenues annually for the City.
Organization: City of Albany
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding, Internal Funding Best Practices, Levy New Taxes or Fees
The City of Albuquerque adopted a mandate for a 3% set aside from the General Obligation Bond Program for the 3% for Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Set-A-Side for Capital Improvements to fund projects that reduce energy consumption in municipal buildings. Building upgrades are chosen by a committee of city fiscal and technical staff based on specific criteria such as return on investment and life cycle cost analysis. Department applications for building upgrades are submitted to the committee for consideration. A project cannot use more than 40% of the funding allocated to the Set-A-Side.
Organization: City of Albuquerque
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Out of State
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding, Internal Funding Best Practices, Pursue Bond Measures
The City of Berkeley got a California Energy Commission grant to do a microgrid feasibility analysis with a fully connected microgrid downtown, but decided it was too expensive. As a result they looked into solar + storage at individual facilities to meet their energy goals. They are partnered with East Bay Community Energy (EBCE) to assess which of their critical facilities in Berkeley would be appropriate. EBCE provided technical assistance and analysis, which Helped them structure a PPA and manage the project. Some products of their initiative are the Center Street Garage, one of the greenest buildings in the city – it has solar on the roof, 80+ EV chargers, bike valet parking, and stormwater catchment. Also, the West Berkeley Library Branch, which is one of the first publicly funded ZNE municipal buildings.
Name: Marna Schwartz
Title: Sustainability Coordinator
Organization: City of Berkeley
Organization Type: City or County, Electric Utility or CCA
City of Berkeley proposed Measure HH in 2020 to increase the UUT from 7.5 percent to 10 percent for electricity and 12.5 percent for methane gas.85 Despite strong community support from a survey, the ballot measure was ultimately defeated.
Organization: City of Berkeley
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding, Internal Funding Best Practices, Levy New Taxes or Fees
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study
City of Berkeley’s climate action goals
Established a Climate Action Plan, declared a climate emergency, and is aiming to be a fossil fuel free city. Path to a clean energy future – reduce energy use, promote cleaner electricity, and electrify transportation & buildings.
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Distributed Energy Resources, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Energy Resilience, Outreach and Engagement, Partnerships, Sustainability
The City of Brisbane adopted the Brisbane Building Efficiency Program with the goal to reduce environmental impacts of the built environment to meet climate goals. Through the development process, the first step was understanding the local market. Identifying what buildings exist in the city and establishing ordinances that could be implemented so the program can have a meaningful impact. The City established reporting requirements of energy and water for owners and tenants to work together to improve buildings. After benchmarking, buildings will be required to demonstrate building efficiency performance metrics, or conduct an audit to identify and implement savings opportunities. This compliance pathway starts 2023/2024.
Name: Adrienne Etherton
Title: Sustainability Manager Brisbane Building Efficiency Program
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Businesses, Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Data Requests and Analysis, Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Resilience, Energy Saving Solutions, Residential, Sustainability
The City of Burlingame designed an EV Action Plan that aligns with state targets and looks to electrify municipal fleets, while prioritizing the implementation of public EV chargers and accessibility to charging stations. Burlingame aims to have 100 charging ports, 5,000 registered EV’s and 10% of all municipal fleet to be EV by the year 2030.
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Sustainability
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study
City of Carlsbad Emergency Services Advanced Microgrid
Benefits of project include energy savings and reduced environmental & economic impacts, improved energy resiliency and reliability, improved cybersecurity, support clean energy market transformation, shows city’s commitment to the CEC and 2030 climate and energy goals.The project has struggled due to major changes in city leadership, a lack of funding, and the time lag since the study was presented.
The City of Culver City used on-bill financing to finance a large energy efficiency project that included installation of a Energy Management System (EMS) at the Police Station, Senior Center, City Hall, Veterans Memorial Center, and Transportation Center and Interior and exterior lighting at select sites. The City received financing of $442,000, leaving $53,600 in expenses, however the project is anticipated to save at least $68,000 annually in savings, allowing the city to realize cost savings in as soon as 1-year.
Organization: City of Culver City
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: External Funding Best Practices, Financing/Funding, On-Bill Financing
This page contains resources describing in detail the process of developing and adopting reach codes for local governments. Here you will find information on the purpose and importance of reach codes and their role in new construction.
Organization: City of Cupertino
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Data Requests and Analysis, Outreach and Engagement
The City of Goleta has received funding through its local government partnership with Southern California Edison (SCE) to establish a voluntary Green Neighborhood Development Floating Zone to foster green community development, and develop tools that will be used for planning and implementation of the floating zone.
As described in the grant agreement: the “floating zone” is:
“a flexible zoning technique that can be used to institutionalize green neighborhood development standards into a single zoning district by incorporating them as eligibility conditions and district regulations, which can then be affixed to appropriate locations at the request of a property owner. In creating the floating zone, a zone classification is authorized for future use, but would not be placed on the zoning map. Developers of compliant parcels could make an application to have the zone applied in a particular location.”
The City of Goleta proposed such a zone in order to build upon the adoption of a reach code in 2010 and the Green Building Program in 2012.
Per the grant agreement:
“Recognizing the additional benefits of sustainable land development and planning at the neighborhood scale, the City would consider a voluntary Green Neighborhood Development Floating Zone to foster green community development. As a starting point, the City would use a model ordinance for the floating zone developed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Land Use Law Center that would establish a new zone district using the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) rating system as its standards. LEED-ND contains a set of measurable standards that collectively identify whether a development can be deemed environmentally superior, considering the development’s location and transit access, its internal pattern and design, and its use of green technology and building techniques.”
Interested in learning more about Neighborhood Development Floating Zones? Check out this report from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Guidance on using USGBC’s LEED rating system is available in a technical assistance manual here.
Organization: City of Goleta
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Central Coast
Published in 2014
Topic Areas: Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency, Sustainability
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event
City of Gonzales: Local Governments Empowering Energy Solutions
LGSEC organized a webinar with the City of Gonzales on their recently announced microgrid. Our guest speakers presented on the process and experience of advancing clean energy solutions by installing a microgrid powered by 80% renewable energy. Guest speakers from the City of Gonzales, OurEnergy and Concentric Power discussed the local government role in public utilities and essential services, infrastructure modernization, and California’s energy landscape. The webinar will present a case study on the City of Gonzales’ planned $70 million microgrid and wastewater treatment plant, then conclude with audience Q&A.
City of Hayward has a resolution requiring city buildings to be Zero Net Energy starting after 2020. All existing City of Hayward buildings which receive renovations exceeding 50% of the buildings’ value shall be ZNE. All other lesser improvements to work towards ZNE by 2030.
Organization: City of Hayward
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Annual Budget Appropriations, Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency, Energy Saving Solutions, Internal Funding Best Practices, Public Agencies
The City of Irvine developed a Strategic Energy Plan to outline actions the City can take to reduce energy consumption in municipal operations, and identify effective measures the Irvine community can implement to become energy efficient and responsibly manage energy resources. The objectives of the Energy Plan included analyzing the City’s baseline energy use to project future energy needs, evaluating priorities to meet those needs, and identifying funding opportunities to implement the strategies in the Energy Plan.
Stakeholder feedback was incorporated into the Energy Plan via public workshops and quarterly updates to the Green Ribbon Environmental Committee, and helped form the vision and strategies included in the Energy Plan. Green Committee meeting details are available on our website.
The project began in November 2018 and the Energy Plan was approved by City Council on November 10, 2020. The City Council directed staff to pursue strategies related to building electrification, renewable energy, and electric vehicle charging at City facilities. The City Council also expressed support for continued efforts to work with residents, businesses, and the development community on improving energy efficiency in buildings.
Organization: City of Irvine
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Resilience, Energy Saving Solutions, Public Agencies, Sustainability
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study, Tool
City of Palm Springs used Explorer Tool to design their Energy Policy.
The City of Palm Springs was looking to design a policy that will produce cost and energy savings for mixed-fuel existing residential buildings undergoing renovations, with additional measures required for higher building permit values. They started with the Quick Guide and Building Stock Estimates. If your jurisdiction is in two climate zones, identify the boundary from the Climate Zone Search Tool on the CEC website. The City recommends doing a GHG inventory to have benchmarks to state GHG goals, to know the energy policy goals of your City and the CCA / IOU / POU that serves it, understanding the building stock, and the changes that need to be made and need to be filled in the updated Reach Codes.
On February 1, 2021 the Piedmont City Council unanimously approved a second reading of proposed energy reach codes. The reach codes are local building energy codes that reach beyond statewide requirements for energy use in building design and construction. Piedmont is one of the first cities nationwide to adopt reach codes for energy efficiency and appliance electrification in new and existing residential buildings.
Ordinance 750 N.S. amends Piedmont’s City Code regarding requirements for energy efficiency measures, photovoltaic systems, and all-electric construction in new or existing low-rise residential buildings. Ordinance 751 N.S. amends City Code to include requirements for the preparation of a Home Energy Audit or Home Energy Score for low-rise residential buildings.
Key components of the reach codes are as follows:
– Newly constructed low-rise residential buildings and new detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs), must use all electric building appliances, and no gas lines can be hooked up to these buildings.
– Projects proposing an entire new upper level on a low-rise residential building, or that increase a low-rise residential building’s total roof area by 30% or more, are required to install solar panels on the roof.
– A renovation project on a low-rise residential building that costs $25,000 or more, will require the applicant to choose one item from a list of energy efficient insulation or heating system electrification improvements to include in the renovation. A renovation project on a low-rise residential building that costs $100,000 or more will require the applicant to choose two items.
– The energy efficient insulation or heating system requirement can be modified with a Home Energy Score of at least a 7 completed in the last five years.
– An application for an electrical panel upgrade must include capacity in the panel to accommodate future electrification of all appliances in the residence.
– An application for a kitchen or laundry area renovation must include electrical outlets for future appliance installations.
– At point of listing for sale of a property, a report from a Home Energy Audit or Home Energy Score must be provided to potential buyers and submitted to the City – unless the residential building was constructed in the past 10 years.
Piedmont is a largely residential city located in the East Bay Hills of the San Francisco Bay area with a population of approximately 11,000. City staff initiated the process for adopting the reach codes 18 months ago. Along the way, there have been two public opinion surveys, several workshops, virtual town halls, two City Council meetings, and an ongoing dialogue with community members about the proposed reach codes. These reach codes are put in place in order to reduce Piedmont’s natural gas emissions. The reach codes are intended to slow natural gas usage, while still meeting the community standards outlined in the City’s Climate Action Plan.
For more information, please visit: https://piedmont.ca.gov/government/city_news___notifications/reach_codes
Organization: City of Piedmont
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Codes and Standards
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Case Study
City of Riverside Building Electrification Reach Code Ordinance
Instead of creating a reach code ordinance through the typical legislative process, the City of Riverside aims to create such an ordinance through collaboration with local stakeholders, representatives from SoCalGas, climate advocates, and community leaders. The City of Riverside has created this ordinance, while avoiding traditional bureaucratic barriers and red tape, in order to provide bottom up solutions to address the impacts of climate change on the local level.
In late 2019, the City of San Luis Obispo tentatively proposed a greenhouse gas in-lieu fee for new construction projects that installed fossil fuel consuming appliances, ranging from $6,013 for a typical single-family residence up to $89,000 for a 54,000 ft2 office.
Organization: City of San Luis Obispo
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Central Coast
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding, Internal Funding Best Practices, Levy New Taxes or Fees
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Residential
Case Study
City of Santa Barbara Manage Energy and Climate Efforts
The City of Santa Barbara is managing their energy sector and building their climate efforts. So far they have been making sure to record all energy data, they have developed a robust energy plan and a CCA to manage the procurement process for the city of Santa Barbara. They are aiming to coordinate their efforts with the Councils’ carbon neutrality goal and adaptation efforts. SInce they are at the end of the Edison transmission grid, installing energy sources around the City is one of their priorities to build energy resilience.
Name: Alelia Parenteau
Title: Energy and Climate Manager
Organization: City of Santa Barbara
Organization Type: City or County
Email: Aparenteau@SantaBarbaraca.gov
Region: Central Coast
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Data Requests and Analysis, Energy Resilience
This September, the City completed retrofitting over 16,700 street lights resulting in over 4 million kWh in annual energy savings.
Project and Agency Details:
– 19% in energy savings since enrollment
– Over 4,100,000 kWh in annual energy savings – equivalent to 620 cars off the road!
– Over $1.5 million in annual cost savings and $100,000 in annual maintenance savings
– Over 16,700 street lights upgraded to LEDs with an effective useful life of 12 years
– At project completion, the City received over $1.9 million in incentives
– Southern California Edison (SCE) rebates – over $1.6 million
– SCE Local Government Partnership kicker – over $369,000
Organization: SoCalREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Email: info@socalren.org
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Saving Solutions, Public Agencies
City of Watsonville adopted a Carbon Fund Ordinance in 2015 that charges a fee to all development projects including new construction, additions, and alterations, with the exception of single-family alterations. The additional carbon impact fee is between 30 and 50 percent of the building permit fee. Projects may be refunded the fee if they install on-site renewable generation to offset the average annual electricity load.
Organization: City of Watsonville
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding, Internal Funding Best Practices, Levy New Taxes or Fees
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Residential
Case Study
City of West Hollywood Smart City
The City of West Hollywood is embarking on an ambitious initiative to holistically weave technology into the fabric of the city and turn bold, progressive ideas into lasting innovations. The West Hollywood Smart City Strategic Plan provides the City a multi-phased roadmap to efficiently incorporate smart technologies into our urban infrastructure and leverage that technology to improve our citizens’ quality of life, health, safety, and economic prosperity, by focusing on projects that promote Sustainability, Mobility, Accessibility, Resiliency, and Transparency.
CivicSpark is a Governor’s Initiative AmeriCorps program that is dedicated to building capacity for local governments to address emerging environmental and social equity resilience challenges such as climate change, water resource management, affordable housing, and mobility. CivicSpark is administered by the Local Government Commission in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research.
Organization: CivicSpark
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Change, Financing/Funding, Technical Assistance, Workforce Development
To ensure the All-In Sustainability and Climate Action Plan is implemented and has impact, Clark County takes a more proactive, inclusive and data-driven approach to community and stakeholder engagement.
An online tool designed to find the tools, case studies and templates to help local government navigate the climate crisis, inspire action and network with other local government staff.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) developed the Clean California Local Grant Program as part of a two-year program through which approximately $296 million in funds will go to local communities to beautify and improve local streets and roads, tribal lands, parks, pathways, and transit centers to clean and enhance public spaces. Through the combination of adding beautification measures and art in public spaces along with the removal of litter and debris, this effort will enhance communities and improve spaces for walking and recreation.
Applicants must be local or regional public agencies, transit agencies, or tribal governments. Nonprofit organizations may be sub-applicant.
Organization: California Department of Transportation
Providing funding for zero-emission carsharing, carpooling/vanpooling, bikesharing/scooter-sharing, innovative transit services, and ride-on-demand services in underserved communities.
Clean Mobility Needs Assessment: Applicants can apply for up to $50,000 to conduct a Community Transportation Needs Assessment (Needs Assessment). Needs Assessments are used to help identify and understand unmet mobility needs of communities and develop solutions in collaboration with residents. Inclusion of Needs Assessments in CMO is based on lessons learned through the California Air Resources Board’s SB 350 Barriers Report process and the Mobility Equity Framework developed by the Greenlining Institute.
Clean Mobility Project Voucher: Applicants can apply for up to $1,000,000 to launch and operate a clean mobility project such as zero-emission carsharing, carpooling/vanpooling, bikesharing/scooter-sharing, innovative transit services, and ride-on-demand services (and up to $600,000 for the expansion of an existing project). Mobility projects are meant to bridge transportation gaps and provide connectivity between services and locations. Wherever possible, they should complement transit services or existing mobility services.
Organization: California Climate Investments
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, CleanTech, Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Change, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Financing/Funding, Grants Programs
The California Energy Commission’s Clean Transportation Program (also known as the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program) provides funding to support innovation and accelerate the development and deployment of advanced transportation and fuel technologies.
Organization: California Energy Commission
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Financing/Funding, Grants Programs, Implementation, Planning, Research & Development
The purpose of this solicitation is to demonstrate replicable and scalable business and technology models that can deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to serve rural EV drivers; support travel by rural EV drivers, provide EV charging access in rural areas, provide support and maintenance services to ensure reliable and readily accessible chargers, engage local rural communities and businesses to promote EV adoption.
Organization: California Energy Commission
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, Direct Assistance, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Financing/Funding
Cleantech to Market (C2M ) – the First Cleantech Accelerator – is now accepting applications for 1,000 hours of free commercialization support – including the identification of early-stage market opportunities, prospective customers and partners, and funding sources – for promising innovations in low-carbon energy, green chemistry, and water technologies. C2M is a partnership between graduate students, startups, and industry professionals to help accelerate the commercialization of leading cleantech solutions. In the process, C2M also develops the next generation of innovative cleantech leaders.
C2M first identifies promising cleantech from: (1) existing startups, (2) accelerators & incubators, (3) government-sponsored programs, and (4) top-tier universities and national labs.
C2M then handpicks graduate student commercialization teams from 20+ UC Berkeley disciplines, and matches their academic/work experience and interests with each project.
C2M supports the teams with leading cleantech professionals who bring deep subject matter expertise. They help guide the students as speakers, mentors, and contacts.
The result is 1,000 hours of free technology, market, and business model assessment for each project. Students experience the rewards and challenges of taking cleantech to market; startups gain valuable market feedback on their technologies and business plans; and professionals engage with fresh talent and new ideas.
CCHVIz is the interactive data visualization platform for the Climate Change & Health Vulnerability Indicators for California (CCHVIs).
Organization: California Department of Public Health
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Change, Data Access or Analysis, Financing/Funding
Funding Resources
Climate Change at Local Health Departments and CDPH Program
This program is funded by the CDC and is in development phase. It will build n past work with tribes and in collaboration to provide technical assistance and liasion with local health departments and tribes and tribal health organizations to perform anaysis and planning and implementation of climate actions that also impact chronic disease and other health issues that can increase resilience to climate change. A first step will be outreach to learn what services and collaboration tribes and tribal organizations are interested in from this program.
Organization: California Department of Public Health-Office of Health Equity
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Change, Data Access or Analysis, Direct Assistance, Financing/Funding, Grants Programs, Implementation, Planning
The Climate Change Research Program invests in cross-cutting research investments that build community resilience, integrate land use and development considerations, and facilitate the transformation of California communities.
Organization: California Strategic Growth Council
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Change, Financing/Funding, Grants Programs, Research & Development
CaliforniaClimate Mayors, a bipartisan coalition of nearly 500 mayors, and C40 Cities, a network of mayors of nearly 100 world-leading cities, recently released, “Climate Action and the Inflation Reduction Act: A Guide for Local Government Leaders,” a guidebook to help local leaders understand the landmark Inflation Reduction Act and all the resources available to them through the law. The guidebook – supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies – advises U.S. mayors and city staff on the opportunities for local governments, organizations, and businesses to implement the Inflation Reduction Act and address climate change. It highlights where funding could flow directly to cities and where cities will need to collaborate with other partners, including state governments and community organizations, to deploy funding in a way that accelerates climate action and advances equity.’s New Energy-Related Laws for 2022
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Natural and Managed Resources, Tariffed On-Bill Financing, Workforce Development
The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program will provide grants to states, local governments, tribes, and territories to develop and implement plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. Section 60114 of the Inflation Reduction Act provides an investment of $5 billion to support efforts by states, municipalities, air pollution control agencies, tribes, and groups thereof to develop and implement strong, local greenhouse gas reduction strategies. This two-staged grant program provides funding of $250 million for noncompetitive planning grants, and $4.6 billion for competitive implementation grants.
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Clean Energy, Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Communication, Energy Efficiency, Energy Resilience, Financing/Funding, Grants Programs, Outreach and Engagement, Planning
The grants seek to invest in the local conservation community by creating new programs or developing organizational or agency capacity to enhance desert resilience to climate change and foster conservation of the desert as a carbon sink; promote equity in access to outdoor recreation throughout the Valley; or improve natural resources management on existing conservation lands.
Applications that represent a sustainable investment, incubate local expertise and capacity and serve historically underserved and economically disadvantage communities are especially encouraged.
Grants should be for projects of up to 24 months, and grant requests should range from $100,000- – $400,000.
Local governments, tribes and nonprofits are eligible to apply.
Organization: Coachella Valley Mountain Conservancy
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Inland Empire
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Change, Direct Assistance, Financing/Funding, Planning
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit, Tribal Governments
Learning Event
Climate-Smart Ways to Save and Thrive in Tough Times – Interview with Howard Choy
Statewide Energy Efficiency Best Practices Coordinator, Angie Hacker, recently invited local energy expert, Howard Choy for a remote interview on “Climate-Smart Ways to Save and Thrive in Tough Times.” We had a chance to discuss parallels between challenges local governments are facing due to the economic fallout from COVID-19 and our experiences building lasting local energy programs during the last economic downturn in 2009 with help from stimulus dollars. As we look ahead to future budget uncertainties and potential silver linings, Howard shares advice and cost-neutral strategies for local energy sustainability professionals to provide value both through operating savings and through external funding opportunities. Watch the interview.
Closing Plenary: Accelerating Climate Action and Advancing Justice… with Accountability
To close out the forum, we turn our attention squarely to this year’s theme: Accelerating Climate Action and Advancing Justice. Calls for equitable and inclusive decisions, investments, plans, and projects are reverberating throughout the climate field and in our communities. There is a growing recognition that members of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and other marginalized groups are disproportionately impacted by pollution and the impact of climate change, resulting from an enduring history of systemic racism and chronic disinvestment in their communities. As the momentum for equitable climate action continues to build, how do we ensure meaningful and lasting outcomes for communities? This closing plenary seeks to move beyond principles and frameworks to hear real stories from community organizers and advocates – on what’s working, what isn’t, and what it means to advance justice with accountability.
Speakers
Roger Lin (he/him) (Moderator), Center for Biological Diversity, Senior Attorney for Energy Justice
Battery storage is emerging as an effective new strategy for reducing electricity costs for affordable multifamily rental housing in California. Battery storage systems not only provide economic returns today, they can also preserve the value of solar in an evolving policy and regulatory environment. Because batteries empower owners of solar photovoltaics (PV) systems to take control of the energy they produce and when they consume it, storage can deliver deeper cost reductions that can be shared among affordable housing owners, developers, and tenants.
Organization: Clean Energy Group
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Published in 2016
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Clean Energy, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy & Storage
Learning Event
Co-Designing Climate Policy Solutions with Environmental Justice Communities & Workers
Co-designing equitable climate policies with government officials, environmental justice communities and the labor movement is difficult, yet necessary work. This interactive breakout session will explore the challenges and opportunities associated with co-designing climate policies and programs that center environmental and labor justice. Our panelists include a sitting City Councilmember as well as community advocates and leaders, all of whom are at the forefront of innovative, community-led climate policies throughout the state. Join us to hear their unique perspectives and vital lessons learned in pursuit of equitable climate policies that advance justice. An open discussion format will provide ample opportunity for attendees to engage directly with the expert panelists and learn how to apply those lessons in their own communities.
Speakers
Alex Jasset (Moderator), Physicians for Social Responsibility – LA
Katie Valenzuela (she/her), Sacramento City Councilmember, Environmental Justice Policy Consultant
Laura Gracia, CBE
Kameron Hurt, RePower LA
Name: Alex Jasset
Title: Nuclear and Energy Justice Program Manager
Organization: Physicians for Social Responsibility
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Session
Learning Event
COGs as a Key Conduit to Public Sector Efficiency Success
Angie Hacker, the Statewide Best Practices Coordinator sits down with Management Analysts Alex Fung and Samantha Matthews of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG), which serves 30 member cities and other governmental agencies in the eastern Los Angeles region. Join us to hear how the COGs like the SGVCOG are serving as a key conduit for public sector energy efficiency success. Even amid the turmoil and EE funding changes of 2020, SGVCOG has grown its engagement with regional agencies through its awards program and other effective outreach efforts.
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Energy Saving Solutions, Public Agencies
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event
Collaborative Pathways to Equitable Decarbonization in the San Diego Region
Recognizing the need for a regional approach to addressing climate change, the County of San Diego is in the process of creating an integrated Regional Decarbonization Framework (RDF). The integrated RDF is a visionary document to address regional emissions in the San Diego region to getting to zero carbon emissions in the energy system in alignment with State and federal goals and pathways. The integrated RDF is also visionary because it seeks to provide the data-driven emissions reductions pathways to all jurisdictions, agencies, and governments to foster a collaborative approach to decarbonization and to ensure that no parts of the region are left behind. In focusing on collaboration, learning, and a data-driven approach to emissions reductions, the Integrated RDF is also centering on equity because addressing climate change will require addressing climate justice and environmental justice. This panel will discuss the integrated RDF’s initial findings and relevance for the region.
Speakers
Elise Hanson, County of San Diego, Management Fellow
Scott Anders (He/Him), Energy Policy Initiatives Center, University of San Diego School of Law, Director
Kyle Heiskala, Environmental Health Coalition, Climate Justice Policy Advocate
Gordon McCord (he/his) (Moderator), University of California, San Diego – School of Global Policy & Strategy, Associate Professor of Economics
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Climate Change, Communication, Energy Efficiency, Environmental Justice, Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Session
Learning Event
Communities, Climate Action, and New U.S. Leadership: A Conversation with David Hayes, Special Assistant to President Biden for Climate Policy
In addition to playing a key role in Biden’s Climate Team, David Hayes has an extensive background in State and local climate matters. In this webinar he talks with us about: • How the new administration will roll out President Biden’s climate, clean energy, and environmental justice plans • How Tribal, local and other community stakeholders can prepare for, influence, or support what is to come • Ongoing ways to collaborate with the federal government on policy initiatives and best practices This event also featured brief remarks by co-hosts Kate Wright (LGC), Shasta Gaughen (TCHP), and Beth Gibbons (ASAP).
Name: David Hayes
Title: Special Assistant to President Biden for Climate Policy
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments, Tribal Governments
Best Practices, Learning Event
Community & Climate Engagement During COVID-19: What to do when in person isn’t possible
The COVID-19 outbreak has created a “new reality” in many sectors, including public participation. Ensuring inclusive public participation is more challenging than ever because of the digital divide, language needs and learning curves. Join the Institute for Local Government to learn innovative strategies for using high-tech and low-tech virtual platforms to engage residents around energy, climate, land use planning and pollution reduction without meeting face-to face. Many of these tools and techniques, while essential in this time of physical distancing, also have the potential to engage new, hard-to reach segments of the community, and will be useful beyond this current crisis.
Name: Nicole Enright
Title: Associate Program Manager
Organization: Institute for Local Government
Organization Type: City or County, Other Private Sector Business, Nonprofit Organization
Provides support for community-based organizations and federally recognized tribes to participate in the AB 617 process, and to build capacity to become active partners with government to identify, evaluate, and ultimately reduce air pollution and exposure to harmful emissions in their communities.
Organization: California Air Resources Board
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Change, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding, Grants Programs, Implementation, Renewable Energy & Storage
Decision 18-06-027 specifically authorized CCAs to launch their own DAC-GT and CSGT programs as long as they met all the rules and requirements established in the Decision.
Organization: CPUC
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding, Renewable Energy & Storage
Case Study, Tool
Community Energy Resilience for Local Governments
In preparation for the 2020 wildfire season and Public Safety Power Shutoffs, many local governments throughout California are exploring opportunities to advance energy resilience solutions. However, COVID-19 is creating enormous challenges for local governments in what was already a resource-constrained environment.
This webinar provided practical information about technical and financial resources available to local governments to implement clean energy resilience initiatives.
Presentations highlighted case studies and model strategies to build community energy resilience covering both the immediate-term need to keep critical facilities online, as well as long-term opportunities to simultaneously advance local climate goals and deliver tangible benefits to communities. Speakers will include representatives from The Climate Center, The Community Energy Lab, California Energy Commission, and local governments.
This webinar was jointly organized by The Climate Center and the Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative (SEEC). For more information about The Climate Center’s Community Energy Resilience Summit, please visit https://theclimatecenter.org/cer-summit-2020/.
Name: Ellie Cohen
Organization: The Climate Center
Organization Type: State Government/Agency, Nonprofit Organization
Additional notes of interest: 2020 CCEC Forum Resources
Case Study
Community Engagement for City of Berkeley Existing Building Electrification Strategy
As part of Berkeley Existing Building Electrification Strategy, the Ecology Center conducted outreach to get feedback from the community on electrification. The Ecology Center was intentional about who they reached out to as The City has a redlining past. Community feedback was gathered from general audiences and then also from targeted communities traditionally excluded from the planning process. The top concerns from those two audiences were different and represented climate change and housing affordability respectively. The City and consultants used feedback to create a minimum set of implementation requirements that need to be met called “Equity Guardrails”.
This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings. Rural areas including cities, villages, townships and towns including Federally Recognized Tribal Lands with no more than 20,000 residents according to the latest U.S. Census Data are eligible for this program. Funds can be used to purchase, construct, and / or improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment and pay related project expenses.
Create or improve essential community facilities to serve communities in the rural West. If the community facility project includes green-build methods and materials, it may qualify for priority in loan application processing
Organization: Rural Community Assistance Corporation
If your community is seeking critical facility energy resilience for extreme weather, Public Safety Power Shutoff events or other events, PG&E’s Community Microgrid Enablement Program can help. Through Enhanced Technical Support and cost offsets for certain distribution system upgrades, CMEP can assist your community in taking its resilience ideas from concept to reality.
Organization: PG&E
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA
Region: Statewide
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Direct Assistance, Energy Resilience, Financing/Funding, Renewable Energy & Storage
The Community Solar Pilot Program is designed to expand access to renewable energy for low-income households that do not have the ability to participate in existing low-income solar photovoltaic (PV) programs — due to a lack of home ownership, or because of inadequate roofing for solar PV. Households participating in the Community Solar Pilot stand to benefit from reduced energy costs while communities can benefit from reduced air pollutant emissions associated with conventional energy generation.
Organization: California Department of Community Services and Development
Contra Costa County Green and Healthy Homes Initiative
This pilot program will integrate various climate and health interventions to improve outcomes for low-income high-risk asthma patients across county. The County with its partners will implement and monitor improvements in homes of select asthma patients to improve indoor air quality, remove underlying triggers and reduce GHG emissions.
Name: Abby Young
Title: Climate Protection Manager
Organization: Bay Area Air Quality Management District
Local government decision-makers are grappling with extreme budgetary impacts and difficult spending decisions in the wake of a year of unprecedented crises. This online brief, produced by the Local Government Commission through the Statewide Energy Efficiency Collaborative (SEEC) – the predecessor to the California Climate & Energy Collaborative (CCEC), offers insights into how local governments that maintain sustainability staff can more effectively improve financial conditions and build long-term economic, social, and environmental resilience.
Name: Angie Hacker, Sarina Soor
Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Email: ahacker@civicwell.org
Region: Statewide
Date: March 2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Change, Sustainability
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: CCEC Original Article
This paper looks ahead to the future to try to understand what decisions local governments are grappling with as they consider what to do with both publicly and privately-owned buildings in the context of crisis recovery as well as stronger local, State, and federal commitments to climate change and equity. This report highlights how California’s buildings were affected by the COVID crisis and explores why 2021 is a chance for local governments to implement innovative and sustainable building solutions across sectors to meet current and future needs.
Name: Angie Hacker, Sarina Soor, Gabriela Yamure
Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Email: ahacker@civicwell.org
Region: Statewide
Date: June 2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency
Additional notes of interest: CCEC Original Article
Free web-based software for CA local government energy policy makers designed to help accelerate reach code adoption and support data-driven decision making. The Cost Effectiveness Explorer Tool launched in late 2020 and aggregates findings from 4 state-wide cost effectiveness studies. The software estimates residential building stock for each of 500+ CA cities and counties and helps users evaluate and develop cost-effective policy options. You can select measures that you want to explore for your code.
The purpose of this solicitation is to provide cost share funding to applicants that apply for and receive one of the following: An award under an eligible federal Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and meet the requirements of this solicitation, or Follow-on funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to continue research from a previously awarded federal grant that also received Energy Commission federal cost share funding under PON-14-308, GFO-18-902, or this GFO and the proposed project meets the requirements of this solicitation. Continuously Updated Eligible Cost Share Opportunities. Before applying, applicants are encouraged to check Eligibility Requirements in Section II of this solicitation. As new eligible cost share opportunities are released, the Energy Commission will revise this document with corresponding information on how to apply for cost share for that funding opportunity. Information on currently eligible funding opportunities can be found in the Eligible Federal Funding Opportunities section of the Eligibility Requirements (Section II.A.). The Energy Commission will provide cost share only to applicants that are applying for a federal funding opportunity or follow-on funding as described above. If the applicant has already received a federal award or follow-on funding and is seeking retroactive cost share, that application will not be eligible for CEC cost share funds under this solicitation.
Organization: California Energy Commission
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Direct Assistance, Energy Saving Solutions, Financing/Funding, Renewable Energy & Storage
Case Study
County of San Luis Obispo Revolving Loan Fund
The County of San Luis Obispo is launching a revolving loan fund for energy efficiency projects with seed funding from a $2.2 million California Energy Commission (CEC) loan.
County of San Mateo requires new county-owned construction projects over 10,000 square feet to be LEED certified, with at least 50% of available LEED Energy and Atmosphere points. In addition, these projects are required to be Zero Net Energy if feasible.
Organization: County of San Mateo
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Annual Budget Appropriations, Building Decarbonization, Energy Saving Solutions, Internal Funding Best Practices, Public Agencies
The County of Santa Clara has adopted a new Sustainability Master Plan to build a livable and equitable Santa Clara county. They have prioritized action across 4 areas which are: Climate Protection and Defense, Natural Resources and the Environment, Community Health and Well-being, and a Prosperous and Just Economy. This plan aims to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG), build resilience in face of natural disasters, improve health inequities within communities, and cultivate a prosperous economy, while incorporating sustainability as a core function of all operations.
CTEC is available to provide technical assistance to tribal health programs (member and non-member) as well as individual tribes. Technical assistance requests include, but are not limited to, gathering relevant health statistics, reviewing sections of grant applications that discuss collecting health data, helping develop data collection instruments, and providing assistance analyzing data.
Organization: California Tribal Epidemiology Center
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Change, Data Access or Analysis, Financing/Funding, Technical Assistance
In 2014, DC Water issued the first certified green bond to finance the administrative and implementation costs of the city’s Clean River’s project. Projects funded by municipal green bonds provide numerous environmental and social benefits including improved water quality, climate resiliency through flood mitigation, and increased biodiversity.
Organization: DC Water
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Out of State
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding, Internal Funding Best Practices, Pursue Bond Measures
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event
Decarbonization 101
Sean Armstrong of Redwood Energy in a webinar on Decarbonization 101. In this webinar, we define decarbonization, explore why we should decarbonize locally, and share practical solutions for decarbonizing our communities now.
This tool from EPA provides an initial “screen,” or preliminary assessment, of the economic feasibility of implementing a CHP system at a specific facility.
Organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization Type: Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Data Requests and Analysis, Energy Resilience
Developed by Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, the Distributed Energy Resources Customer Adoption Model (DER-CAM) is a powerful and comprehensive decision-support tool that primarily serves to identify optimal distributed energy resource (DER) investments in the context of either buildings or multi-energy microgrids.
Organization: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL)
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Climate Planning, Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Resilience
Best Practices
Developing a Zero Net Energy Roadmap
Steps to success: Benchmark/audit, Prioritize, Track Progress
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Businesses, Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Data Requests and Analysis, Energy Saving Solutions, Financing/Funding, Public Agencies, Sustainability
The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Program funds grants and rebates that protect human health and improve air quality by reducing harmful emissions from diesel engines.
Organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization Type: Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide, Out of State
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Financing/Funding, Grants Programs, Implementation
The Disadvantaged Communities – Green Tariff (DAC-GT) program is modeled after the Green Tariff portion of the Green Tariff/Shared Renewables Program (GTSR). DAC-GT allows customers who are not in a position to take advantage of SOMAH or DAC-SASH through onsite solar, to still benefit from solar energy.
Organization: California Public Utilities Commission
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, Financing/Funding, Renewable Energy & Storage
The Disadvantaged Communities – Single-family Solar Homes (DAC-SASH) program, modeled after the Single-family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) Program, provides assistance in the form of up-front financial incentives for the installation of rooftop solar generating systems. The incentives provided through DAC-SASH assist low-income DAC customers in overcoming barriers to the installation of onsite solar energy, such as lack of capital or credit needed to finance a solar installation.
The DAC-SASH program also incorporates job training objectives to promote green-collar jobs in low-income communities and to develop a trained workforce that will foster a sustainable solar industry in California. Through a competitive solicitation, GRID Alternatives was selected to serve as the statewide program administrator for the DAC-SASH program. GRID’s DAC-SASH Program Handbook and Program Implementation Plan were approved by the CPUC in Resolution E-5020 on September 12, 2019, signaling the official launch of the DAC-SASH program.
Organization: California Public Utilities Commission
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, Financing/Funding, Incentives, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Case Study
Distributed Resource Adequacy Program
Program using solar PV + battery energy storage for residential & commercial customers with the added emphasis on low-income and medical baseline. The program provides resource adequacy for CCA’s and resiliency for customers.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking applications proposing community-engaged research that will address the drivers and environmental impacts of energy transitions in underserved communities. For purposes of this competition and the evaluation of applications, “underserved communities” refers to populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life, including people of color, low income, rural, tribal, indigenous, and other populations that may be disproportionately impacted by environmental harms and risks.
Organization: US Environmental Protection Agency
Organization Type: Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Direct Assistance, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Case Study
East Bay Community Energy Critical Municipal Facilities
EBCE assessed all the critical facilities in their territory to see what potential was there for solar storage. This initiative was funded by a Air Resources Board (ARB) grant and allowed them to look at over 300 facilities, which were shared by the cities they cater to. Consultant Independent Engineers (IE) completed a preliminary review of the facility portfolio to confirm the most technically viable solar + BES sites and eliminated sites that had complex roof configurations/attributes or significant shading. EBCE then developed a standard PPA, signed by them and not the local jurisdiction to be intermediary between City and developer. A centralized convener like a CCA can really help fill gaps in bandwidth for member cities that don’t have time and allows CCAs to fund projects that previously cities weren’t able to.
Name: Jessie Denver
Title: Senior Distributed Energy Resources Manager
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Climate Planning, Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Resilience, Energy Saving Solutions, Partnerships, Public Agencies
Under this NOFO, EDA solicits applications from applicants in rural and urban areas to provide investments that support construction, non-construction, technical assistance, and revolving loan fund projects under EDA’s Public Works and EAA programs. Grants and cooperative agreements made under these programs are designed to leverage existing regional assets and support the implementation of economic development strategies that advance new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities. EDA provides strategic investments on a competitive- merit-basis to support economic development, foster job creation, and attract private investment in economically distressed areas of the United States.
Organization: US Department of Commerce
Organization Type: Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide, Out of State
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, CleanTech, Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Change, Economic Development, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding, Grants Programs, Renewable Energy & Storage, Technical Assistance
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Local Governments, Tribal Governments
Under this NOFO, EDA solicits applications from applicants in rural and urban areas to provide investments that support construction, non-construction, technical assistance, and revolving loan fund projects under EDA’s Public Works and EAA programs. Grants and cooperative agreements made under these programs are designed to leverage existing regional assets and support the implementation of economic development strategies that advance new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities. EDA provides strategic investments on a competitive- merit-basis to support economic development, foster job creation, and attract private investment in economically distressed areas of the United States.
There are no submission deadlines under this opportunity. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the publication of a new PWEAA NOFO.
Organization: US Department of Commerce
Organization Type: Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide, Out of State
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, CleanTech, Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Change, Economic Development, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding, Grants Programs, Renewable Energy & Storage, Technical Assistance
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments, Tribal Governments
The California Energy Commission’s Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) program invests in scientific and technological research to accelerate the transformation of the electricity sector to meet the state’s energy and climate goals.
Organization: California Energy Commission
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Energy Efficiency, Grants Programs, Implementation, Renewable Energy & Storage, Research & Development
This guide was funded under multiple grants from the California Energy Commission (CEC). The goal of this guide is to help site hosts and others learn about, evaluate and compare the features of EV charging equipment (available as of March, 2017) to assist them in selecting a charger for their application.
Section 2 in this guide provides an overview of Electric Vehicle Charger (EVC) equipment, how it works, and considerations when making a purchase. Section 2 includes a table of EVC features available from a variety of commercially available products in the United States. Information on EVC features was collected by sending specification sheets of predetermined criteria to EVC manufacturers with a request for an email response with completed specifications for currently available AC charger models1 . Additional information, including that for DC chargers 1 , was collected using publically available technical specifications. As funding allows, the information in this guide will be updated periodically to include new models and specifications as product offerings evolve.
Click here to download the Electric Vehicle Charger Selection Guide.
Organization: California Energy Commission
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2017
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event
Elevating and Equitable Engaging Rural Voices in the Energy Transition
California has long been a leader in the clean energy and climate transition, yet disadvantaged communities continue to be left behind. This is particularly true for rural communities, which face ever-increasing challenges with fragile grid systems, a lack of distributed generation, complications responding to public safety power shutoff (PSPS) events, disparate geographics, and local government capacity limitations.
This panel will link utility, government, and implementation to present solutions for engaging rural California voices in the energy transition, including:
Community approaches to energy programs. California community choice aggregators (CCAs) are load serving entities with unusual latitude in initiatives to address local needs. Josh Brock, Vice President of Calpine, will discuss lessons from CCAs throughout the state, drawing upon extensive research and evaluation of programs serving disadvantaged communities.
Enhanced customer communications. James Riley, Partner at Appos Advisors, will draw upon decades of experience working with investor-owned utilities to share lessons in how to qualify and engage customers in assistance programs, and best methods for supporting rural communities during PSPS events.
Local and inclusive energy and climate solutions. The Town of Truckee is a local jurisdiction that is quickly becoming a leader in community-based climate and sustainability solutions. Anna Klovstad, Former Mayor, will define successful local stakeholder engagement strategies, agency collaboration tactics, and changes to the Town’s policies and priorities to support climate solutions.
Panelists will discuss specific approaches to working with underserved communities and how these approaches have translated into program designs and solutions that can be applied in rural communities throughout California.
Speakers
Josh Brock (He/Him), Calpine Energy Solutions, Vice President – CCA Commercial Operations
James Riley, Appos Advisors, Partner
Anna Klovstad, Town of Truckee, Former Mayor
Courtney Henderson (Moderator), Resource innovations, Head of Market Strategy
Sherry Hao (she/her), Sierra Business Council, Climate & Energy Program Director
Name: Courtney Henderson
Title: Mayor
Organization: Town of Truckee
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Statewide
Date: September 22, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, Energy Resilience
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Session
Each year, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announces a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the EMPG Program. The intent of the Program is to support state, local, and tribal efforts to protect against, mitigate the effects of, respond to, and recover from natural or human-caused disasters and other catastrophic events. The funds provided by this Program help to prepare the nation for the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to lives, property, and the environment in the United States.
EMPG provides funding to implement projects that enhance all-hazards preparedness and serve to build, sustain, and deliver 32 core capabilities across the five Mission Areas of the National Preparedness Goal (NPG). These Mission Areas, which are essential to the security and resilience of the nation, are Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery. The building, sustainment, and delivery of these core capabilities require the combined effort of the whole community, including public, private, and tribal entities.
Organization: U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Organization Type: Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Change, Direct Assistance, Financing/Funding, Technical Assistance
The Empower Innovation Network is a trusted place where entrepreneurs, developers, investors, local communities, and others can connect to work toward a shared vision for a clean economy.Members can directly message each other to build their networks and develop business around hundreds of funding opportunities. Select a tab below to see how each member of our community can benefit from – and give back to – the broader Empower Innovation Network.
Browse the Organization Directory to find your own organization and submit a request to join so other community members can see your name. If your organization is not yet in the directory, go ahead and create it. For more instructions, visit the Empower Innovation Help Center.
Organization: Empower Innovation
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Communication, Financing/Funding, Outreach and Engagement, Technical Assistance
Empower Procurement is excited to launch their new E-building Procurement Initiative. This program aims to tackle six initiatives: energy efficient products, expert energy services contractors, fuel switching resources: planning and installation, targeted specifications for low-energy building systems, new approaches to procurement operations, and training on organizations benchmarking and procurement metrics. The goal of this initiative is to build a collaborative network with local governments that provides opportunities for streamlined and cooperative procurement, while identifying challenges for electrification – particularly in existing government buildings. The product of this initiative will be represented in developed resources and best practices that are useful to the network.
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Businesses, Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Saving Solutions, Outreach and Engagement, Partnerships, Public Agencies
The E-Fleet Accelerator offers school districts, higher education, governments, and select fleet operators support for the transition to electrified fleets. Transforming asset classes represents unique procurement barriers for institutional buyers. Fleet electrification is a prime example of this, and this PI will focus on addressing common gaps to improve the adoption of electric fleets for various purposes across diverse sectors. Our team provides customized insights to identify new opportunities to adopt electric fleets, and ensure successful fulfillment of electrification plans.
This Initiative provides free assessment to troubleshoot procurement processes. You will find tailored resources to help with procurement barriers. It has streamlined access to DERs product information as well as guidance on technology solutions to help make informed DERs purchasing decisions. The Products Procurement Initiative is designed to provide an opportunity for buyers to learn more about energy-efficient products and possible opportunities for cost savings.
The City of Encinitas Green Building Incentive Program provides financial incentive, priority plan check, and City Council recognition for projects that register and achieve certification with Build It Green (BIG) GreenPoint Rated and/or US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) ®. Once registered with the City’s program, all plan checks for construction-related permits will receive priority in the City’s plan check process. On completion of the project and certification by BIG or LEED®, the project will be eligible for reimbursement for the costs of providing green building measures to achieve final certification up to a maximum of $2,000 per project. Additionally, certified projects will be recognized at a City Council meeting.
Organization: City of Encinitas
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Diego
Published in 2011
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency
3C-REN’s Energy Code Connect program makes it easier for building professionals to use, comply with, and enforce California’s complex and ever-changing energy code. Energy Code Connect offers various services for public and private-sector building professionals, including: Energy Code Coach, Trainings, and Regional Forums. The Energy Code Coach is available to provide mentorship and support directly from local experts to building professionals. The program also offers free training on various topics including compliance, ADU requirements, and PV requirements. Lastly, Energy Code Connect offers 3-4 forums annually to provide a space for building professionals to network and explore how critical policy issues affect energy code.
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) 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.
Various opportunities supporting a range of clean energy priorities including solar energy, vehicle technologies, and building technologies.
Organization: US Department of Energy
Organization Type: Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide, Out of State
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding, Grants Programs, Implementation, Planning, Renewable Energy & Storage, Research & Development
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments, Tribal Governments
Projects with proven energy and/or demand cost savings are eligible:
Lighting system upgrades, Pumps and motors, Streetlights and LED traffic signals, Energy management systems and equipment controls, Building insulation, Energy generation, HVAC equipment, Water and waste water treatment equipment, Load shifting projects
Organization Administering Program: California Energy Commission Organization Type: State
The Tri-County Regional Energy Network is dedicated to a continued understanding of the energy efficiency workforce on the Central Coast to grow, diversify, and upskill the region’s workers. To this end, 3C-REN in partnership with In Balance Green Consulting established the Higher Performance Building on the Central Coast series. This series began by looking at strategies to address how to design and build for safety, health, and cost savings on the Central Coast while moving to electric construction.
Organization: 3C-REN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Central Coast
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Energy Resilience, Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Best Practices
Energy Reach Code Ordinance
Reach codes that exceed state standards, either voluntary or mandatory.
Name: Misti Bruceri
Title: Principal
Organization: Cities of Palo Alto and Chula Vista
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Email: mistib@comcast.net
Phone: 707-477-1768
Region: Greater Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area
The Statewide EE Best Practices Coordinator is pleased to share a brief response to a recent Technical Assistance Request on the topic of Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC). (Question from July 22, 2020)
Name: Angie Hacker
Title: Best Practices Coordinator
Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Email: ahacker@civicwell.org
Region: Statewide
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency, Energy Saving Solutions, Implement Energy Savings Performance Contracting, Internal Funding Best Practices
Pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP), EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning & Standards (OAQPS) is announcing the availability of funds and soliciting applications from eligible entities to conduct ambient air monitoring of pollutants of greatest concern in communities with environmental and health outcome disparities stemming from pollution and the COVID-19 pandemic. EPA will award funds to support community and local efforts to monitor their own air quality and to promote air quality monitoring partnerships between communities and tribal, state, and local governments.
The total estimated funding for this competitive opportunity is approximately $20,000,000. Approximately $2 million dollars of this amount will be awarded to tribal governments under a tribal government set-aside, and approximately $2 million will be awarded to eligible community-based organizations under a community-based organization set-aside.
Overall, EPA anticipates awarding a total of approximately 50-70 assistance agreements (cooperative agreements or grants) from this announcement, subject to availability of funds, the quality of applications received, agency priorities, and other applicable considerations. EPA anticipates awarding approximately 20-30 assistance agreements ranging in value from $25,000 to $100,000 (i.e., “Small Grants”) and 30-40 assistance agreements ranging in value from $100,001-$500,000 (i.e., “Large Grants”). EPA may increase or decrease the total funding or set-aside amounts based on the number of meritorious applications received, agency priorities, funding availability, and other applicable considerations.
Organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization Type: Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide, Out of State
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Climate Change, Direct Assistance, Financing/Funding, Health and Social Environment
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Learning Event
Ensuring That Electrification Benefits Impacted Communities in San Jose
In this October 2021 interview with Elena Olmedo, Climate Advisor to the City of San Jose, Natural Resources Defense Council, she shares how San Jose is designing the City’s Building Electrification Plan, which outlines options to electrify the City’s existing buildings equitably. Through deep data analysis and community engagement, the City of San Jose and a broad set of partner organizations are working to ensure that its impacted communities benefit from electrification. We thank Elena for taking the time to share her work, experience, and advice. We hope this conversation provides inspiration to other local practitioners as they consider ways to equitably electrify their building stock. You can learn more about the City of San Jose’s ongoing electrification efforts here.
Rural Community Assistance Corporation’s (RCAC) Environmental Infrastructure Loan Program helps create, improve, or expand the supply of safe drinking water, waste disposal systems and other facilities that serve rural communities. RCAC’s loan programs provide the early funds small rural communities need to determine feasibility and pay pre-development costs prior to receiving state &/or federal program funding. May also provide interim construction financing, and intermediate & long-term loans for system improvements.
Eligible entities include nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and tribal governments. Projects must be located in rural areas with populations of 50,000 or less in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii and other pacific islands, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Community size is limited to 10,000 for long-term USDA guaranteed loans and short-term loans for which USDA is the long-term lender. Eligible projects include water, wastewater, solid waste & storm water facilities. Contact Mike Carroll at mcarroll@rcac.org.
Organization: Rural Community Assistance Corporation
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Change, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Financing/Funding, Renewable Energy & Storage
AVERT is a free tool with a simple user interface designed to meet the needs of state air quality planners and other interested stakeholders. Anyone can use AVERT to evaluate county, state, and regional changes in emissions from electric power plants and displaced fuel-burning vehicles resulting from energy policies and programs such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, and electric vehicles. AVERT is designed to use public data that are accessible and auditable.
Organization Type: State Government/Agency, Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Clean Energy, Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency, Energy Saving Solutions, Resources and Opportunities
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Tribal Governments
EPA’s Benchmarking and Building Performance Standards Policy Toolkit aims to inform and support state and local government decision makers who are exploring adopting policies focused on reducing energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from existing commercial and multifamily buildings in their communities.
As more state and local governments seek to adopt BPS and other polices for existing buildings, this toolkit can offer:
Key considerations for policy design
Opportunities for cross-jurisdictional coordination
Strategies for using EPA’s ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager® tool
Organization Type: Other Local Government, State Government/Agency, Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Clean Energy, Climate Change, Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency, Energy Resilience, Resources and Opportunities
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Tribal Governments
EPA’s CO–Benefits Risk Assessment (COBRA) screening model is a free tool that helps state and local governments:
Explore how changes in air pollution from clean energy policies and programs, including energy efficiency and renewable energy, can affect human health at the county, state, regional, or national levels.
Estimate the economic value of the health benefits associated with clean energy policies and programs to compare against program costs.
Map and visually represent the air quality, human health, and health-related economic benefits from reductions in emissions of particulate matter (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX), ammonia (NH3), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that result from clean energy policies and programs.
Organization Type: Other Local Government, State Government/Agency, Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Clean Energy, Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency, Energy Saving Solutions, Health and Social Environment, Resources and Opportunities
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Tribal Governments
The Energy Savings and Impacts Scenario Tool (ESIST) Version 1.1 is a customizable and transparent Excel-based planning tool for analyzing the energy savings and costs from customer-funded energy efficiency programs and their impacts on emissions, public health, and equity. ESIST enables users to develop, explore, and share energy efficiency scenarios between 2010 and 2040. ESIST focuses primarily on energy efficiency savings in the electricity sector.
Organization Type: Other Local Government, State Government/Agency, Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, Climate Change, Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency, Energy Resilience, Energy Saving Solutions, Resources and Opportunities
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Tribal Governments
EPA has developed a set of values that help state and local government policymakers and other stakeholders estimate the outdoor air quality-related public health benefits of investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy (EE/RE). These monetized values were developed using methods consistent with those EPA uses for health benefits analyses at the federal level.
The health benefits-per-kWh (BPK) screening values are reasonable approximations of the monetized health benefits of state EE/RE investments that can be used for preliminary analysis when comparing state and local policy scenarios to indicate direction and relative magnitude of impacts.
Organization Type: Other Local Government, State Government/Agency, Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Planning, Energy Efficiency, Environmental Justice, Health and Social Environment, Resources and Opportunities
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Tribal Governments
State Inventory and Projection Tool
Use this tool to develop state GHG emissions inventories and create a simple forecast of emissions through 2050. Updated February 2023.
Local Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool
Use this tool to compile a GHG inventory for your entire community or for local government operations in particular. Updated October 2022.
Tribal Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool
Use this tool to compile a GHG inventory for your entire tribe or for tribal government operations in particular. Updated October 2022.
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Clean Energy, Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency, Energy Saving Solutions, Grants Programs, Resources and Opportunities
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Tribal Governments
EVFleet Tools is a collection of resources designed to help municipal staff identify and implement opportunities for robust decarbonization of their organization’s fleet and facilities. On this website you will find tools developed based on analyses done for the City of Fremont Fleet Electrification Study and informed by a Regional Working Group of public and industry stakeholders in the Bay Area. Materials from the Regional Working Group’s meetings and further resources to help you make an informed transition to an electrified municipal fleet are also available.
Organization: City of Fremont
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Data Requests and Analysis, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Financing/Funding, Grants Programs, Outreach and Engagement, Sustainability
The Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) has released a report of the work completed by their Permit Resource Opportunity Program, or PROP. The report contains an analysis full of best practices, challenges, and opportunities for improvement in compliance enforcement with California energy code.
As shared on BayREN’s website, the PROP report “represents the collaborative efforts of the nine San Francisco Bay Area Counties and 15 Bay Area building departments to learn about energy code enforcement barriers and challenges, identify successful enforcement strategies, and gather data about the impact of discrepancies on building performance.”
“BayREN’s Codes & Standards Permit Resource Opportunity Program (PROP) sent building code experts to Bay Area building departments to study energy code compliance and enforcement practices and to identify successful enforcement strategies. Those best practices are collected in the report.”
Why are best practices on compliance and enforcement of California’s building energy code (currently the 2013 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, or BEES) so significant? The report provides a great summary of the energy efficiency opportunities presented by compliance, shared in part below.
Organization: BayREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2015
Topic Areas: Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Residential
Case Study
Extreme Heat Resilience Among Disadvantaged Communities in Stockton
Working at the household level can combat extreme heat in vulnerable communities.
Extreme Heat Resilience Among Disadvantaged Communities in Stockton
Extreme heat events are becoming more common with global climate change. The general population is often unaware of the dangers posed by extreme heat events. This danger is most acute for vulnerable members of the population. This danger is heightened for disadvantaged communities, who are made vulnerable to extreme heat risks due to aging building stocks, with poor maintenance, and a lower incidence of installed air conditioning. At the same time, there are many low-cost/no-cost measures which people can adopt to protect themselves from the dangers of extreme heat. Indicia Consulting, led by principal investigator Dr. Susan Mazur-Stommen and project director Haley Gilbert, concluded a project with Rising Sun Opportunity Center to investigate extreme heat resiliency among vulnerable and disadvantaged populations.
In 2019, Rising Sun conducted 823 Green House Calls in the Stockton area of Northern California. Indicia Consulting developed questions to learn more about extreme heat risks in homes. Residents were also offered a choice to take a pledge to make a beneficial change to a behavior associated with energy, water, or heat resilience. From the data gathered during the Green House Calls, Indicia Consulting developed two composite scores to characterize and analyze households and homes: a Household Vulnerability Score, and a Home Heat Risk Score. Using these, we identified those most in need of assistance via programs to reduce home heat risk. Taxpayer dollars are thus used more effectively to reduce mortality and morbidity associated with extreme heat.
Topic Areas: CCEC Forum, Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Environmental Justice
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2020 CCEC Forum Resources
Funding Resources
Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
Stand alone solar projects and battery projects are eligible for this incentive. It currently provides a tax credit of 26% of the project costs (as of 2021). Third party project owners can claim this benefit and share this value with schools through reduced agreement payments. However, the value will step down annually starting 2023 to 22% and decrease to 10% by 2024.
After the last major economic downturn, the federal government adopted the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which provided stimulus funding for priorities including energy efficiency retrofits through the DOE’s Better Buildings Initiative. In California, three regions received millions of dollars to support new building efficiency incentive and assistance programs that targeted privately owned buildings and spurred economic opportunities for the hard-hit building trades. Twelve years later, those regions are now operating as Regional Energy Networks, with stable ratepayer funding authorized by the CPUC to continue offering services like BayREN’s Business programs. Recognizing that incentives and other financial mechanisms are critical for making the investment in energy efficient infrastructure more affordable and accessible to businesses, the BayREN Business program offers rebates, financing, and one-stop-shop technical assistance to ensure small and medium businesses can leverage all available energy saving programs and minimize out-of-pocket expenses. While this is an old example, it may help local governments consider how to take advantage of major State and federal stimulus efforts to create long-lasting support for building retrofits that also strengthen economic recovery. They may also consider how to design new or increased upgrade incentives for small or distressed businesses.
Organization: BayREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Businesses, Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Saving Solutions, Financing/Funding
The California Hub for Energy Efficiency Financing (CHEEF) is now offering three financing programs to help your constituents updraig their properties. The GoGreen Financing includes a Home, Business and Affordable Multifamily program. This kind of financing alleviates upfront cost barriers for retrofits and can be used in combination with rebates and incentives or on its own! They hope local governments promote the financing program with their constituents who are waiting to take their next step on their energy efficiency plans!
Name: Kaylee D'Amico
Title: Marketing, Education and Outreach Specialist
Organization: California Hub for Energy Efficiency Financing, State Treasurer's Office
The Flood Mitigation Assistance Program is a competitive grant program that provides funding to states, local communities, federally recognized tribes and territories. Funds can be used for projects that reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program.
FEMA chooses recipients based on the applicant’s ranking of the project and the eligibility and cost-effectiveness of the project.
FEMA requires state, local, tribal and territorial governments to develop and adopt hazard mitigation plans as a condition for receiving certain types of non-emergency disaster assistance, including funding for hazard mitigation assistance projects.
The Fremont Green Challenge is an online platform with all the information Fremont residents need to find out how to lower their impact on climate change, save energy and water, and save money. The platform offers various “actions” you can take in your daily life, and includes all the rebates, financing and community programs available for each action. Actions that range from “easy” to “challenging”, with information on the impact for each action as well as the annual savings and upfront costs.
Organization: City of Freemont
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Resilience, Energy Saving Solutions, Residential
Fremont has defined its own smart city agenda based on a series of conversations and cross-functional, collaborative workshops. The city started by looking at its existing efforts currently underway — smart traffic signals, EV charging stations, the Pulse Point smart app, and roadway video surveillance.
Organization: City of Freemont
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Businesses, Climate Planning, Energy Resilience, Energy Saving Solutions, Outreach and Engagement, Residential, Sustainability
The Fresno County Employees’ Retirement Association allocated millions of dollars from the pension fund, which is being leveraged to invest in community projects with social benefits, such as affordable rental construction, disaster recovery, and green infrastructure. The City continued this effort in the wake of COVID-19 after anticipating greater need for local capital during recovery.
Organization: Fresno County Employees' Retirement Association
Organization Type: Governmental Association
Region: Sacramento Valley
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding, Internal Funding Best Practices, Leverage Pension Funds
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study
Funding EE upgrades in municipal buildings
City of San Diego is the process of identifying, prioritizing & executing energy projects across 500+ facilities owned & operated by other “Asset Managing Departments”, guided by their CAP.
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Businesses, Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Data Requests and Analysis, Energy Saving Solutions, Financing/Funding, Public Agencies, Residential, Sustainability
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event
Funding Equitable Residential Decarbonization in Berkeley
Decarbonizing existing buildings is imperative to achieving our climate goals but has a large price tag. Absent the ability to access substantial incentive dollars, many building owners will not be able to afford these investments or will pass these costs on to tenants, exacerbating displacement risk and the housing affordability crisis. Building on Berkeley’s cutting-edge climate policies, city staff and the Building Electrification Institute wanted to understand how to fund the decarbonization of Berkeley’s housing stock while preserving housing affordability. They commissioned a funding gap analysis, which analyzed the cost to decarbonize Berkeley’s residential buildings by 2045; identified federal, state, regional, and local funding sources that support equitable decarbonization; quantified the remaining funding gap; and explored fundraising opportunities to fill that gap. Members of the project team will share their approach, provide key findings from this analysis and offer a roadmap for other jurisdictions to conduct similar assessments.
Speakers
Dani Makous (she/her)(Speaker)Building Electrification Institute, Assistant Director
Bridgett Neely(Moderator)Firefly Energy Consulting, President
Catherine Campbell-Orrock(Speaker)Building Electrification Institute, Deputy Director
Nick Dirr(Speaker)Association for Energy Affordability, Senior Director, Programs
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Session
Learning Event
General Plans Guidelines Update
Michael McCormick, Senior Planner with the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research present on the General Plan Guidelines Update, summarizing the changes made in 2017 and the new guidance for 2018.
Name: Michael McCormick
Organization: Governor's Office of Planning and Research
The Geothermal Energy Association (GEA), Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) and Geo-Exchange Organization (GEO) have developed a guide specific to the state of California for consideration of geothermal energy development. The guide walks through the benefits and uses of three major types of geothermal applications: power generation, direct use and heat pumps. For more information and to review the guide, visit this interactive feature on Renewable Energy World‘s website.
Organization: Renewable Energy World
Region: Statewide
Published in 2016
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, Distributed Energy Resources, Renewable Energy & Storage
Learning Event
Going Beyond 2022 Building Standards to Continue Accelerated Climate Action
With the effective date for the new 2022 statewide Building Energy Efficiency Standards only a few months away, many active reach codes will be revisited in the context of the new requirements. What will remain a “reach” over state minimums? What actions can local jurisdictions take to continue accelerating progress on their own climate action plans? How can existing buildings be a bigger part of the progress? This session tackles the challenge, focusing on how local experience both informs development of the state code, and provides a platform that jurisdictions may use to leapfrog beyond these minimums. First, the presenters will share the results of a survey conducted by Building Decarbonization Coalition, BayREN and Acterra that connected with local government staff from jurisdictions with a building electrification ordinance. This will offer insights on the effects that reach codes are having on jurisdictions with permitted residential and commercial projects and the number of those projects that were designed all-electric. Then, panelists and attendees will share insights and experiences from the 2019 cycle, including lessons learned and opportunities to continue advancing climate-related policies by local leadership in the next code cycle. Together, the session participants will explore ordinance options, from the general policy structure, building types, and targeted activities and measures.
Speakers
Danuta Drozdowicz (she), California Energy Commission, Energy Specialist Efficiency Division
Crystal Najera, City of Encinitas, Sustainability Manager
Demian Hardman-Saldana, Contra Costa County, Department of Conservation and Development, Senior Planner
Misti Bruceri (She/Her/Hers), (Moderator) Statewide Reach Codes Program, Coordinator and Technical Lead
Lawrence Garber, Building Decarbonization Coalition, Program Associate
Cora Panturad, Monterey County, Sustainable Infrastructure Analyst
The Goleta Load Pocket Community Microgrid (GLPCM) provides a unique opportunity to bring a disaster-prone region indefinite renewables-driven backup power — providing the area an unparalleled trifecta of economic, environmental, and resilience benefits. Significant efforts are being made to align appropriate stakeholders, including property owners, policymakers, community leaders, solutions providers, and the monopoly electric utility, Southern California Edison (SCE), toward this goal. This deployment of clean local energy will showcase the grid of the future.
The Environmental Insights Explorer (EIE) uses exclusive data sources and modeling capabilities in a freely available platform to help cities measure emission sources, run analyses, and identify strategies to reduce emissions — creating a foundation for effective action.
The Grants and Cooperative Agreements (GCA) Program provides for well managed Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation by providing financial assistance to eligible agencies and organizations that develop, maintain, operate, expand, support, or contribute to well managed, high-quality, OHV Recreation areas, roads, and trails, and to responsibly maintain the wildlife, soils, and habitat in a manner that will sustain long-term OHV Recreation.
Organization: Department of Parks and Recreation
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Climate Change, Direct Assistance, Economic Development, Financing/Funding, Health and Social Environment, Natural and Managed Resources
GRIP is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic coalition of congregations from varied faiths working together as a diverse and inclusive coalition dedicated to helping those of our community in need to transition to self-sufficiency. Our mission statement: “Responding to the Call to Service, GRIP transforms the lives of homeless, hungry and disenfranchised people.” Over the years, GRIP, in keeping with its mission, has evolved from a small community food pantry to a multiservice agency, which serves 15,000 homeless, and low-income consumers annually. GRIP is governed by a 15-member Board of Directors drawn from member congregations, the business community and public-sector agencies.
The Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI) is dedicated to breaking the link between unhealthy housing and unhealthy families. Formerly the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning, GHHI replaces stand-alone housing intervention programs with an integrated, whole-house approach that produces sustainable, green, healthy and safe homes. Through this model, Marin County is improving health, economic and social outcomes for low income eligible families across the country.
Organization: Marin County
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards, Energy Resilience, Energy Saving Solutions, Residential, Sustainability
The Green Business Network is accessible to all Port of San Diego tenants and subtenants, the Green Business Network is a voluntary sustainability program that provides free education and resources to waterfront businesses committed to reducing our collective carbon footprint. GBN collaborates with its members on training opportunities and supply resources to help them improve operational efficiency and implement sustainable business practices that keep our bay blue.
Organization: Port of San Diego
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: San Diego
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Businesses, Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Energy Resilience, Energy Saving Solutions
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Residential
Case Study
Green District Program
Program using battery, EVSE, thermostats and water heaters for residential, commercial & municipal customers. Provides wholesale market revenue & procurement cost savings to CCA, cost savings & resiliency benefits to customers
The City of Hayward’s Green Hayward PAYS® program allows multifamily property owners to get immediate savings on their water and energy utility bills by installing efficiency improvements with no up-front cost.
Organization: City of Hayward
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Saving Solutions, External Funding Best Practices, Residential, Tariffed On-Bill Financing
The Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) has partnered with the Rising Sun Center for Opportunity to help determine residents’ personalized energy and water efficiency needs through the Green House Call Service. Residents can sign up for a Green House Call by completing a 10-minute survey. After completing the survey, a free energy and water efficiency kit with installation instructions will be delivered directly to their door.
Each kit includes:
Up to 16 LED light bulbs, standard and floodlight,
A smart power strip ($70 value),
High-efficiency bathroom and kitchen sink faucet aerator(s),
High-efficiency showerhead(s),
Toilet leak detection tablets, and
Information on other energy-saving and green programs.
Organization: Rising Sun Center for Opportunity
Organization Type: Other Local Government, Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Resilience, Energy Saving Solutions, Outreach and Engagement, Partnerships, Residential, Sustainability
This webpage provides an overview of how to lower building energy demand needs and provides additional resources for further explanation.
Organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization Type: Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide, Out of State
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Climate Planning, Energy Resilience, Sustainability
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Residential
Case Study, Tool
Green Labeling
BayREN’s Green Labeling program helps homeowners better understand the energy efficiency of their homes through a simple assessment that results in a Home Energy Score from 1 to 10 and a customized report and recommendations for energy efficiency upgrades. Homeowner’s scores can also provide good information to future buyers of the home by offering a simple and consistent evaluation tool.
The Green Region Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Indicators Map serves as a tool for jurisdictions within the SCAG region to measure and track sustainability progress in the region across 12 categories and 29 sustainability indicators. The map aims to foster collaboration through the sharing of best practices across the 191 cities and six counties in the SCAG region. GRI Version 4.0 is the most recent iteration of the tool, providing an improved user experience through updated map designs, links, and resources. GRI Version 4.0 includes 3 updated maps, one new indicator and one new topic: Electric Vehicle Permitting Streamlining and Urban Greening.
Organization: Southern California Council of Governments
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Greater Los Angeles, San Diego
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Data Requests and Analysis, Energy Resilience
The Inflation Reduction Act created a historic new program: the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. This first-of-its-kind program will provide competitive grants to mobilize financing and leverage private capital for clean energy and climate projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions with an emphasis on projects that benefit low-income and disadvantaged communities, furthering the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to environmental justice.
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Clean Energy, Energy Efficiency, Energy Resilience, Energy Saving Solutions, Environmental Justice, Financing/Funding, Health and Social Environment
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: funding
Learning Event
Grid Modernization: Part 1
Rick Brown, President of TerreVerde Energy, will describe changing energy policy, market conditions, and evolving technologies to prepare local governments for a modernized grid.
Part 1: Solar, Battery Storage, and Choice Aggregation
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, Renewable Energy & Storage
Learning Event
Grid Modernization: Part 2
Rick Brown, President and founder of TerreVerde Energy, will describe changing energy policy, market conditions, and evolving technologies to prepare local governments for a modernized grid.
Part 2: Energy Efficiency, Electrification, Microgrids, and Prop 39.
The Guide to California Climate Zones is a reference for designers interested in designing bioclimatic buildings. The files listed at right include climate descriptions, design strategies, and climate data (temperature, relative humidity, degree-day, design-day, extra-terrestrial radiation, wind speed and direction) for the California climate zones as defined by Title 24. Suggestions and guidelines for appropriate passive designs are shown on a bioclimatic chart.
Organization: Pacific Gas & Electric
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Data Requests and Analysis
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Residential
Best Practices
Guiding constituents from education to energy services
It is important for local governments to raise awareness about the current programs available to conduct energy updates. BayREN has identified that interagency collaboration is the key to navigate the complex landscape of programs offered by many organizations. We recommend LG’s should aspire to have successful guidelines that include knowledge sharing, a seamless user experience, and scaling for constituents. BayREN identified that useful tools to share knowledge include meeting people where they are at, partnering with complimentary programs, identifying your target audience and determining the best method of outreach based on their needs. This, followed by partnerships to present various EE programs from varying agencies will make for a seamless user experience. Finally, BayREN recommends combining rebates and financing to achieve savings greater than monthly payments so constituents can implement energy savings and reach renewable goals.
Topic Areas: Businesses, Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Saving Solutions, Financing/Funding, Outreach and Engagement, Partnerships, Public Agencies, Residential
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
2016—Hayward leads again! The Hayward City Council recently directed staff to assure that all new municipal buildings, as well as significant retrofits of existing municipal buildings, be zero net energy (ZNE) buildings. Hayward will have buildings that produce as much energy as they consume over the course of a year and be “off the grid”. This goal depends on a significant use of solar photovoltaic panels and other technologies.
The California Public Utilities Commission’s Long Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan includes the following goals:
all new residential buildings will be ZNE by 2020
all new and 50% of existing state-owned public buildings will be ZNE by 2025
all new and 50% of existing commercial buildings will be ZNE by 2030
Staff is already aggressively addressing this policy through construction of the new Library & Community Learning Center, which will be ZNE; and the retrofit of existing fire stations, most all of which will be retrofit with solar photovoltaic. However, Hayward’s policy takes formal effect beginning with new buildings and significant retrofits that are designed and constructed after January 1, 2017 – well in advance of the state’s goals.
“This is just one more way that Hayward is leading the way and working to achieve our climate action goals”, said Mayor Barbara Halliday. “If we are going to meet our greenhouse gas emission reduction target for 2050, all of our buildings will need to be ZNE.”
FEMA’s hazard mitigation assistance provides funding for eligible mitigation measures that reduce disaster losses. Mitigation planning breaks the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction and repeated damage. Hazard mitigation includes long-term solutions that reduce the impact of disasters in the future. FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance has five grant programs.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). Assists in implementing long-term hazard mitigation planning and projects following a Presidential major disaster declaration. Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program. Provides funds for planning and projects to reduce or eliminate risk of flood damage to buildings that are insured annually under the National Flood Insurance Program. Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Program. Provides funds annually for hazard mitigation planning and projects. HMGP Post Fire Grant. Assistance available to help communities implement hazard mitigation measures after wildfire disasters. Building Resilient Infastructure and Communities (BRIC). Support for states, local communities, tribes and territories as they undertake hazard mitigation projects, reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards.
HMGP Post Fire funding is available as a result of Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) declarations. California received 10 FMAG declarations in Federal Fiscal Year 2020, resulting in $7,787,780 for HMGP. Cal OES is prioritizing funding for communities immediately impacted by the wildfires. Immediately impacted is defined as a community, or special district located in a county where one of these fires burned.
Organization: Governor's Office of Emergency Services
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Climate Change, Direct Assistance, Financing/Funding
Best Practices
Highlights and Horizons: An Interactive Forum Closing
This interactive session will give CCEC Forum participants a chance to reflect on what they have learned during the 12th Annual Forum and key takeaways that will advance local and state clean energy and climate actions. Together we will highlight what is on the horizon for local governments as they lead the way in a promising new era for climate, equity, health, and prosperity. This event will feature roundtable remarks by LGC and REN representatives, breakout discussions, and a facilitated listening session where you can share insights and help drive what we do next.
Name: Angie Hacker
Title: Statewide Best Practices Coordinator
Organization: Local Government Coalition
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA, Nonprofit Organization
How Disadvantaged Communities Can Take Advantage of Dedicated Energy and Climate Opportunities
The State of California has dedicated significant investment in energy and climate opportunities for “disadvantaged communities” (DACs), which suffer from economic, health, and environmental burdens. However, local governments representing DACs may lack the internal capacity to track and pursue these opportunities. This session will provide an overview of guiding DAC policies, definitions, and funding and technical assistance opportunities. If you’re a local government practitioner working in a community with DAC census tracts, please join a conversation with State and local speakers, facilitated by the Statewide Best Practices Coordinator, aimed at helping you better navigate the big dollar world of DACs to meet your energy and climate goals.
Name: Angie Hacker
Title: Statewide Energy Efficiency Best Practices Coordinator
Organization: Local Government Commission
Organization Type: City or County, State Government/Agency, Nonprofit Organization
Changes in how Administrators of EE programs (IOUs, RENS, and eligible CCAs) plan and make programming accessible under the “rolling portfolio” process.
The implementation of building benchmarking and energy use disclosure requirements (assigned to the CEC) under AB 802.
Organization: SEEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2016
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event
How Local Governments Can Seize the Moment: 2021 State Budget and Policy Updates
At a federal and State level, pandemic recovery efforts are meeting stronger commitments to equity, health, clean energy, and climate change. This intersection may result in an unprecedented wave of opportunity for local governments to tackle multiple needs and goals at once, but it also means that local governments will have to stay on their feet to take advantage of all the changes. This opening day lunch session will feature a state budget and energy policy review from Nuin-Tara Key with the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and Roger Dickinson, Policy Director with the Local Government Commission.
The California Energy Commission’s (CEC’s) Clean Transportation Program (formerly known as the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announce the availability of up to $6,815,000 in grant funds for projects that will provide workforce training and development that support zero-emission vehicles (ZEV), ZEV infrastructure, and ZEV-related commercial technologies in California.
Proposed projects should demonstrate community and employer engagement and a path toward ZEV jobs in the State. The Inclusive, Diverse, Equitable, Accessible, and Local (IDEAL) ZEV Workforce Pilot focuses investments on and provides benefits to priority communities.
Organization: California Energy Commission
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Clean Energy, CleanTech, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Financing/Funding, Grants Programs, Technical Assistance
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Businesses, Codes and Standards, Data Requests and Analysis, Energy Saving Solutions, Financing/Funding, Grants Programs, Outreach and Engagement, Partnerships, Public Agencies, Sustainability
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Learning Event, Case Study, Tool
Identifying, Prioritizing, Financing Projects
In a time where competing interests and limited resources abound, it can be difficult to know where to start in order to identify, prioritize, fund, and implement energy projects. This panel will explore how several diverse jurisdictions and organizations have approached this dilemma and address critical factors that informed their pathway to success.
Whether you are a small, medium or large sized city and regardless of the amount of resources you have to direct at energy projects, this panel will have some valuable suggestions for you. You will learn about:
• innovative methods for project identification • key internal and external stakeholders and their role in decision making • organizations whose expertise you can leverage • how to communicate the project benefits and opportunities to decision makers in order to build system-wide support for your work.
Innovative interactive tools will also be used to make the session intimately relevant to this audience.
Name: John Rossi
Title: Program Manager, C&I Programs
Organization: TRC Companies
Organization Type: City or County, Business or Trade Association, Nonprofit Organization
Region: Central Coast, San Diego, San Joaquin Valley, Statewide
The cities of Fremont, Mountain View, and South San Francisco have each engaged with the ESCO Syserco to implement ESPCs for their municipal building stock. To learn more about their respective projects, visit their case study pages.
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Saving Solutions, Financing/Funding, Implement Energy Savings Performance Contracting, Internal Funding Best Practices, Public Agencies
DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office is accepting applications for technical assistance to:
Provide hydropower decision makers with national lab expertise and capabilities to address challenges and capture opportunities for their systems Validate national lab-led modeling, analysis, and tools developed under the HydroWIRES initiative for the benefit of the broader community Further our collective understanding of possible roles for hydropower under evolving power system conditions that reach beyond those considered by most planners and operators today. Six recipients will receive technical assistance valued at up to $400,000.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and the office of Economic Impact and Diversity (ED) recognize that improvements are needed to make the clean energy innovation ecosystem more inclusive and accessible to disadvantaged communities and individuals from groups historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Through the Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize, DOE aims to fund organizations for ongoing and/or proposed activities related to climate and clean energy that support, build trust, and strengthen relationships and partnerships with disadvantaged communities. Specifically, this prize seeks to enable and enhance business and technology incubation, acceleration, and other community-based and university-based entrepreneurship and innovation in climate and clean energy technologies.
