Resource Library

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 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;
  • 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.
Reports

2023 CCEC Annual Report

The purpose of the California Climate and Energy Collaborative (CCEC) is to support local governments to save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and accelerate climate action by building knowledge and networks amongst local government practitioners. This 2023 CCEC annual report summarizes and reviews the progress we’ve made in doing so over the last year.

Organization: CivicWell
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: 2023
Published in 2024
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit
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
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Statewide
Date: September 22, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Session
Learning Event

Access to Solar Brings Power: Centering Community in the Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) Program

Name: Marisa Villarreal
Title: Senior Program Manager
Organization: SOMAH
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: September 22, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Poster
Learning Event

Achieving Equitable Decarbonization: Lessons from International Local Government Perspective

With state and federal imperatives to decarbonize through electrification in the midst of steadily rising electricity rates, local governments are being looked to as critical change agents. The panel will discuss how California is not alone in struggling to address climate change, outline a series of roles local governments could take to help lead the way, and discuss a possible high distributed energy resources future. The session will culminate with a discussion on the best role for local governments, and how the Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition is supporting equal decarbonization. Topics include European Union directives for smart local energy markets, California regulatory opportunities, local resilience and decentralized energy, and perspectives from a local elected official on the path forward. 

Speakers

  • Marc Costa, The Energy Coalition, Director of Policy and Planning
  • Steven Moss, M. Cubed, Partner
  • Arlis Reynolds, City of Costa Mesa, Councilmember
  • Lorenzo Kristov, PhD, Independent Consultant
Name: Marc Costa
Title: Director of Policy and Planning
Organization: The Energy Coalition
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: 06/14/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Distributed Energy Resources, Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
Learning Event

Addressing Barriers to EVI Deployment in Disadvantaged Communities

While some of the approaches to deploying EVI in rural and DAC communities compare to other regions (e.g., increase awareness, increase affordability, reduce range anxiety, provide funding opportunities, streamline permitting), there are also unique approaches that are beneficial to communities where: air quality improvement is a priority; Residents are multi-cultural and speak numerous languages; Significant residents do not have access to home charging (e.g., MUDs); Daily commutes to work are above average; Corridor travel is significant; and existing rebate programs have not been fully utilized.

In this session, we will explore the barriers that are common to all and unique to these communities. We will ask for audience participation to prioritize deployment strategies, share results of work conducted, and provide toolkits for decision-makers to utilize in their own community.

Speakers:

  • Kevin Wood, Center for Sustainable Energy
  • Linda Urata, County of Kern
  • Christine Viterelli, City of Arvin
  • Jack Axelrod, Envoy
Name: Kevin Wood
Organization: Center for Sustainable Energy
Organization Type: City or County, Governmental Association, Other Private Sector Business, Nonprofit Organization
Region: Inland Empire, San Joaquin Valley, Statewide
Date: 06/26/2019
Published in 2019
Topic Areas: Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Environmental Justice
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Additional notes of interest: 2019 SEEC Forum Resources
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
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Date: April 2018
Published in 2018
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources
Case Study

Advanced Energy Rebuild Napa 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.

Organization: Marin County Energy
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Learning Event

Advancing Resource Accessibility & Energy Resilience: The Energy Education & Resource Hub

Organization: SDRCC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Diego
Date: September 22, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Poster
Case Study

Agency Buys PPA with help from TerraVerde

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.

Name: CEO
Title: TerraVerde Energy
Organization: TerraVerde Energy
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

Architecture Construction Engineering Students (ACES) Pathway Program

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.

Name: Wendy Angel
Title: Program Director
Organization: SoCalREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Workforce Development
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Technical Assistance Provider

Association of Bay Area Governments – BayREN

An Individual local government professional offering peer knowledge to other local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: Energy efficiency program design and implementation; information about creation of a Regional Energy Network (REN); successful models of local government collaboration. The elegibility restrictions are the following: None.

Name: Jennifer Berg
Title: Energy Programs Manager
Organization: Association of Bay Area Governments - BayREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Partnerships
Technical Assistance Provider

Association of Monterey Bay Area Government

An Organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: . The elegibility restrictions are the following: None.

Name: Amaury Bertead
Organization: Association of Monterey Bay Area Government
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Central Coast
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Energy Efficiency
Case Study

Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments’ Regional Greenhouse Gas Inventory Collaborative

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 Planning, Partnerships
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
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: September 22, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency, Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Nonprofit
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Session
Case Study

Atlanta Georgia Leverages Financing for Urban Redevelopment Program

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: Internal Funding Best Practices
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

Attorney General office and ARB Step Up for South Central Fresno

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
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: San Joaquin Valley
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Case Study

Bay Area Multifamily Building Enhancements Program

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.

Organization: BayREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Case Study

Bay Area SunShares

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: Financing/Funding, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Case Study

Bayern Home+ Program offers Energy Advisors for Free!

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.

Name: Jeffery Liang
Title: Single Family Project Manager
Organization: BayREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Technical Assistance Provider

BayREN

An organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: BayREN provides free engineering technical assistance to help local governments save energy and money while reducing their carbon footprints. The Municipal ZNE/ZNC Assistance program helps municipalities retrofit or construct buildings to meet zero net energy (ZNE) or zero net carbon (ZNC) goals by providing engineering analysis and recommendations for projects. We can review individual buildings or larger portfolios of buildings and provide recommendations for broader policies as well.

The elegibility restrictions are the following: jurisdictional.

Name: BayREN Municipal Zero Net Energy/Zero Net Carbon Assistance
Organization: BayREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Case Study

BayREN Multifamily Case Studies: Lincoln Apartments in Napa

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: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Case Study

BayREN Multifamily Case Studies: Noble Tower in Oakland

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.

Organization: BayREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Residential
Case Study

BayREN Multifamily Case Studies: Spruce Apartments in Sunnyvale

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: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Case Study

BayREN Multifamily Case Studies: Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation Case Study

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.

Organization: BayREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Case Study

BayREN’s Single Family Home +

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

Name: Jennifer Berg
Title: Energy Programs Manager
Organization: BayREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding
Case Study

Berkeley’s Building Energy Savings Ordinance (BESO) and the U.S. DOE Home Energy Score

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: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

Berkeley’s Financing Initiative for Renewable and Solar Technology

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: 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.

Name: Angel Hernandez
Title: Associate Planner
Organization: City of El Centro
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Statewide
Topic Areas: Outreach and Engagement
Learning Event

Best Practices from Advanced Energy Communities

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.

Name: Cary Garcia
Title: Best Practices Coordinator
Organization: SEEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: March 2018
Published in 2018
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources
Tool

Better Buildings Initiative: Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Project Profiles Database

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, Data Requests and Analysis
Guide, Case Study

Better Buildings Initiative: How Distributed Energy Resources Can Improve Resilience in Public Buildings, Three Case Studies and a Step-by-Step Guide

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: Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Efficiency, Energy Resilience
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.

Organization: SEEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: October 2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Best Practices

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
Region: Statewide
Date: 08/12/2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2021 CCEC Forum Resources
Best Practices, Learning Event

Breaking Ground on Equitable Climate Action: An Interview with the City of Oakland

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

Name: Shayna Hirshfield-Gold
Title: Climate Coordinator
Organization: City of Oakland
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Date: June 2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Environmental Justice
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Additional notes of interest: Interview
Learning Event

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: Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Session
Best Practices

Budgeting for the High Road Just Transition

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
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Workforce Development
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Best Practices, Guide

Building and Home Energy Resource Hub

California’s buildings produce a quarter of the state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, making homes and businesses a major contributor to climate change. Taking a variety of actions to reduce GHG emissions is known as decarbonization. There are many steps that building owners and renters, builders, and local governments can take to decarbonize buildings cost-effectively and support transportation electrification.

The information, guidance, and best practices shared here are intended to assist in overcoming barriers to decarbonizing buildings and installing electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment in residential and commercial buildings.

Organization: California Energy Commission
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments, Nonprofit, Residential
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
Region: Statewide
Date: 09/01/2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization
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
Region: San Francisco Bay Area, Statewide
Date: 08/12/2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2020 CCEC Forum Resources
Best Practices

Building Electrification 101

An overview of building electrification technologies and common barriers and opportunities for scaling up implementation.

Name: Jenna Tatum
Title: Director
Organization: BEI
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization
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
Region: Statewide
Date: September 21, 2022
Published in 2022
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.

Name: Kajsa Hendrickson
Title: Project Manager
Organization: SOMAH
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: 08/11/2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Renewable Energy & Storage, Workforce Development
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit
Additional notes of interest: 2021 CCEC Forum Resources
Learning Event

Building Local Resilience Models – BayREN Resilient Libraries Network Pilot

The BayREN Resilient Libraries Network seeks to develop a network of local libraries to also function as Community Resilience Centers. Libraries play critical roles especially for disadvantaged communities. Six sites were selected. BayREN is providing engineering technical assistance for each site to assess necessary upgrades to improve energy efficiency and provide access to cooling, heating, and clean air and potential for battery back-up and storage. Pilot participants will be matched with funding and financing experts to provide tailored guidance to identify relevant funding sources for both CRC building upgrades and the specific programming and services that each site intends to provide to their communities year-round. Pilot participants who will share current challenges and lessons learned from their work to build a CRC based on community needs. Information about how the pilot is funded, how BayREN is working with partners and how this pilot could be replicated will be provided.

Speakers

  • Jenny Berg, BayREN, Energy Section Director
  • Aleka Seville, Collective Strategies Consulting, LLC, Founder and Principal
  • Nick Kordesch, City of Oakland, Energy Program Manager
  • Veronika Cole, City of Oakland, Resilient Communities Analyst
  • Laura Wong, County of San Mateo, Sustainability Coordinator
Name: Jenny Berg
Title: Energy Section Director
Organization: BayREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Date: 06/13/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Energy Resilience
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2023 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.

Region: Statewide
Date: November 2017
Published in 2017
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Workforce Development
Best Practices

Building Owner Energy Efficiency Resources

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: Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Best Practices

Building Performance Training

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.

Name: Ian Logan
Title: Sustainability Program Specialist
Organization: 3C-REN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Central Coast
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Outreach and Engagement
Learning Event

Building Resilience – Efficiency’s Role in Decarbonization at Home

Name: Dori Estrella
Title: Department Analyst
Organization: County of Sonoma
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Date: 6/13/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
Tool

CalEnviroScreen 3.0

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: Environmental Justice, Public Health
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments, Residential
Tool

CalEnviroScreen Draft 4.0 by Cities and Counties Dataset

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: Data Requests and Analysis, Environmental Justice, Public Health
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Local Governments, Residential
Best Practices

California City 0% On-Bill Financing

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: Financing/Funding
Learning Event

California Energy Design Assistance: K-12 Carbon Footprint

Name: Mary Guider-Shaw
Title: Marketing Specialist
Organization: Willdan
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Date: 6/13/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
Technical Assistance Provider

California Green Business Network

An organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: Starting and Operating a municipal Green Business Program that can act as a vehicle to involve businesses to operate more sustainably.

The elegibility restrictions are the following: We are involved heavily in California but also collaborate nationally.

Name: Josephine Fleming
Title: Executive Director
Organization: California Green Business Network
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Partnerships
Learning Event

California Public Agency Fleet Electrification Funding and Challenges

In this session, Prospect Silicon Valley will highlight the efforts of several City Governments to electrify their vehicle fleets. Speakers will cover planning challenges including funding programs, charging infrastructure, and organizational change from senior executives to departmental vehicle users.

Speakers

  • Ilse Villacorta-Alatriste, ProspectSV, Senior Project Associate
  • Toto Vu-Duc, City of Watsonville, Senior Environmental Projects Analyst
  • Hilary Ego, City of La Mesa, Environmental Program Manager
Name: Ilse Villacorta-Alatriste
Title: Senior Project Associate
Organization: ProspectSV
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Central Coast, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area
Date: 06/14/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
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.

Name: Ali Chehrehsaz
Title: CEO
Organization: TerraVerde Energy
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding, Renewable Energy & Storage
Learning Event

Call to Action: Let’s Build Climate Equity through Regenerative Economics

A moderated Solutions Room panel exemplifying local leaders in the area of climate equity that promote a regenerative economic framework. Our solutions room will be organized in a sacred circle. We will hear from panelists about their good work projects, ask critical questions of all participants, facilitate break out groups, and close with a call to action. We will focus on understanding basic principles of regenerative (circular) economic frameworks, and how it can be developed across climate and energy industries to improve BIPOC career pathways, improve public health outcomes and build economic stability for climate impacted communities. All panelists and participants will have an opportunity to share their vision for creating climate equity and economic justice during an unprecedented time in climate equity funding.

Speakers

  • Anita Lopez, California Eco Network, Co-Founder
  • Yvette Marí Robles, Pathfinder Wellcare, Curandera
  • Dominic Allamano, Urban Agroforester
  • Teresa Almaguer, PODER, Environmental Justice Organizer
  • Sister Maria A. Muhammad, I Am Green, CEO
  • Fatima Malik, Del Paso Heights Growers’ Alliance, Lead Organizer
Name: Anita Lopez
Title: Co-Founder
Organization: California Eco Network
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: 06/14/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Environmental Justice, Public Health, Workforce Development
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Nonprofit
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
Tool

CARB Building Decarbonization Tools

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
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards
Case Study

Case Study: Valley Innovative Energy Watch (VIEW)’s Benchmarking Successes – and Best Practices

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
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event

Catalyzing Decarbonization and Market Transportation through Procurement

Many local government agencies are following California’s ambitious energy and climate goals. However, bandwidth, expertise, information availability, system and process deficiencies, and incumbent policies, behaviors and contracts make it difficult to overcome structural inertia that limits innovation. Recognizing these challenges, the California Energy Commission is launching a procurement assistance program that addresses widespread barriers and that is available for everyone. This panel will: (1) review technical potential for different end uses, (2) engage the audience in a facilitated discussion to highlight opportunities to innovate procurement systems, processes and policies, and (3) share how SEEC members can participate in the program.

Speakers:

  • Brian Barnacle, Energy Solutions
  • Kathleen Egan, Ecomedes
Name: Brian Barnacle
Organization: Energy Solutions
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Date: 06/26/2019
Published in 2019
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding, GHG Reduction
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2019 SEEC Forum Resources
Learning Event

Catch Them Early – Educating Los Angeles’ Youth about Opportunities in the Green Economy

In March of 2023 SoCalREN held a Future Green Leaders Summit to build awareness about different career pathways in Sustainability and Energy Efficiency that students may not be introduced to otherwise. The summit was attended by over 1,800 6th, 7th and 8th grades students from disadvantaged/low-income communities around LA. The summit featured over 18 workshops, 40 exhibitors (including Microsoft and Google) and several highly interactive displays designed to inform the audience about opportunities in the Green Energy Sector with the intent of generating interest and guiding the development of future leaders.

This panel will discuss the vision for the summit, the incredible support the summit gained throughout the public and private sector and present key outcomes and feedback. Additional discussion will be provided around the immensely challenging logistics of event coordination and lessons learned.

Speakers

  • Tessa Charnofsky, County of Los Angeles, Workforce Education and Training Program Manager
  • Lujuana Medina, County of Los Angeles, Environmental Initiatives Manager
  • Shanette Anderson, Emerald Cities Collaborative, Southern California Senior Program Manager
Name: Tessa Charnofsky
Title: Workforce Education and Training Program Manager
Organization: County of Los Angeles
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Date: 06/13/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Workforce Development
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
Learning Event

Championing Cross-cutting Programs: Effective Equity and Climate Resilience Partnerships

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
Region: Greater Los Angeles, Statewide
Date: 08/04/2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit
Additional notes of interest: 2021 CCEC Forum Resources
Learning Event

Chasing the Twin Goals of Carbon Reduction and Racial Equity

San Francisco’s “Zero Cities” project is a comprehensive, data-driven effort that articulates specific mechanisms to catalyze net zero emissions in the building sector by 2050. Learn about:

  • Analysis using publicly available information to gain understanding of building emissions by sector, size and other attributes, key intervention points and policy options to drive emissions reductions.
  • Partnerships to deploy data analytics to identify residential building retrofit opportunities that have a strong financial case and reduce the most emissions.
  • Effective community engagement with to empower stakeholders to partner with the City on building sector policy and program development and implementation.

Speakers:

  • Rich Chien, Department of Environment, City and County of San Francisco
  • Ammon Reagan, Department of Environment, City and County of San Francisco
  • Chris Selig, PODER
  • Leah Obias, Race Forward
Name: Rich Chien
Organization: Department of the Environment, City and County of San Francisco
Organization Type: City or County, Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Francisco Bay Area, Statewide
Date: 06/26/2019
Published in 2019
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency, Environmental Justice, Outreach and Engagement
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2019 SEEC Forum Resources
Best Practices

CHP for Resiliency in Critical Infrastructure

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: Energy Resilience
Case Study

Chula Vista’s Free Resource and Energy Business Evaluations

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: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

Chula Vista’s Sustainable Communities Program: Reach Codes, Permitting, Planning Tools, and More

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.

Read more in this SEEC fact sheet on Chula Vista’s program here.

Organization: SEEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Diego
Published in 2012
Topic Areas: Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

City and County of San Francisco LEED Gold Certification

City and County of San Francisco requires LEED Gold certification for all municipal building construction, both existing and new construction.

Organization: City and County of San Francisco
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

City of Albany Measure DD

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: Internal Funding Best Practices
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Case Study

City of Albuquerque Bond Mandate

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: Internal Funding Best Practices
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

City of Berkeley Electrification

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
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Distributed Energy Resources, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

City of Berkeley Measure HH

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: Internal Funding Best Practices
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.

Name: Sarah Moore
Title: Sustainability Program Manager
Organization: City of Berkeley
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Planning
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Case Study

City of Brisbane is Innovative through the Brisbane Building Efficiency Program

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
Organization: City of Brisbane
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Case Study

City of Burlingame EV Action Plan

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.

Name: Sigalle Michael
Title: Sustainability Coordinator
Organization: City of Burlingame
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility
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.

Name: Mike Grim
Title: Sr. Programs Manager
Organization: City of Carlsbad
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Diego
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Resilience
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

City of Culver City On-Bill Financing

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: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

City of Cupertino Local Reach Code Outreach Effort

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: Codes and Standards, Outreach and Engagement
Case Study

City of Goleta Uses Energy Data in Process to Develop Neighborhood Development Floating Zone for Green Community Development

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
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 GonzalesOurEnergy 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.

Organization: LGSEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Central Coast
Date: May 2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

City of Hayward Zero Net Energy Resolution

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: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

City of Irvine Strategic Energy Plan

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, Energy Efficiency
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.

Name: David Freedman
Title: Member
Organization: Palm Springs Sustainability Commission
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Greater Los Angeles, Inland Empire
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Planning
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

City of Piedmont Energy 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.

Name: Ronaldo Fierro
Title: Councilmember
Organization: The City of Riverside
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

City of San Luis Obispo Greenhouse Gas in-lieu Fee

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: Building Decarbonization, Internal Funding Best Practices
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
Region: Central Coast
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Energy Resilience
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

City of Santa Clarita Energy Efficiency Upgrades

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
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

City of Watsonville Carbon Fund Ordinance

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: Internal Funding Best Practices, Renewable Energy & Storage
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.

Name: Kim Kigongo
Title: Innovation Analyst
Organization: City of West Hollywood
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Public Health
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Tool

CivicSpark

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 Planning, Workforce Development
Tool

Clean Building Compass

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.

Name: Amy Rider
Title: Consultant
Organization: Building Decarbonization Coalition
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Tool

Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool

In January of 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order 14008. The order directed the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to develop a new tool – the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool. The tool has an interactive map and uses datasets that are indicators of burdens in eight categories: climate change, energy, health, housing, legacy pollution, transportation, water and wastewater, and workforce development. The tool uses this information to identify communities that are experiencing these burdens.

The tool ranks most of the burdens using percentiles. Percentiles show how much burden each tract experiences compared to other tracts. Certain burdens use percentages or a simple yes/no.

Organization: Council on Environmental Quality
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Environmental Justice
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments, Tribal Governments
Tool

Climate Change & Health Vulnerability Indicators for California

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: Public Health
Guide

Climate Mayors and C40 Cities Provide U.S. Cities with Guidebook to Implement Historic Inflation Reduction Act

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: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local 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.

Name: Howard Choy
Region: Statewide
Date: May 2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: Interview
Learning Event

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
  • Grace Peralta Beasley (she/her), MCE, Senior Customer Programs Manager
  • NJ Mvondo, National Association for Climate Resilience Planners (NACRP), Member
  • Christian A. Torres (He/him), Comite Civico del Valle, Special Projects Manager
Organization: California Climate and Energy Collaborative
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: September 22, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Environmental Justice
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Session
Learning Event

Closing Plenary: The Lasting Legacy of Local Government Partnerships

Gather around the campfire and listen closely, as masterful Local Government Partnership storytellers from around the state share perspectives about how the LGP program model has made a lasting impact in their region. Walk back in time to the origins of Local Government Partnerships, initiated as a single city-utility collaboration, and through the evolution into the statewide program offered by every Investor Owned Utility. By celebrating the countless accomplishments of LGPs, this presentation will serve as a celebration of this public sector program as we know it today while addressing the continued need to deliver support into the future.

Speakers:

  • Laurel Rothschild, The Energy Coalition
  • Lou Jacobson, Redwood Coast Energy Authority
  • Courtney Kalashian, San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization
  • Alejandra Tellez, Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance
  • Renée Yarmy, Port of San Diego
Name: Laurel Rothschild
Title: Vice President
Organization: The Energy Coalition
Organization Type: Other Local Government, Electric Utility or CCA, Nonprofit Organization
Region: Central Coast, North Coast, San Diego, San Joaquin Valley, Statewide
Date: 06/27/2019
Published in 2019
Topic Areas: Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2019 SEEC Forum Resources
Reports

Closing the California Clean Energy Divide: Reducing Electric Bills in Affordable Multifamily Rental Housing with Solar+Storage

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: 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
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: September 21, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Environmental Justice, Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
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.

Organization: SGVCOG
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Date: December 2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
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
Name: Elise Hanson
Title: Management Fellow
Organization: County of San Diego
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Diego
Date: September 21, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, 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
Organization Type: Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide, Out of State
Date: April 2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Environmental Justice
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
Region: Statewide
Date: 06/30/2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Outreach and Engagement
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2020 CCEC Forum Resources
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
Region: Statewide
Date: 06/10/2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Energy Resilience
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
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”.

Name: Denaya Shorter
Title: Community Engagement
Organization: The Ecology Center
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Outreach and Engagement
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Learning Event

Competition, Recognition, and Innovation: What Really Motivates Participation?

Name: Elaina Lee
Title: Project Manager
Organization: The Energy Coalition
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Greater Los Angeles, Inland Empire, Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin Valley
Date: 6/13/2013
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Outreach and Engagement
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
Learning Event

Consult a CBO: Tips for Collaborating on Climate Investments

Join us for an engaging and interactive Q&A session on how local governments and program administrators can effectively engage with community-based organizations (CBOs) to develop more inclusive and impactful policies, programs and outreach. CBOs serve as a critical link between government, program administrators and the community, providing valuable insights and feedback to inform decision-making processes.

This session will explore best practices and lessons learned for building strong partnerships with CBOs, including strategies for effective communication, collaboration, and capacity building. Participants will have the opportunity to hear from experts in the field and engage in discussions on topics such as identifying and leveraging the strengths of CBOs, fostering trust and mutual understanding, and measuring the impact of CBO, local governments and program administrators  partnerships.

Whether you are a local government representative, program funder, a CBO leader, or simply interested in community engagement, this session will provide valuable insights and practical guidance for achieving meaningful and sustainable outcomes through effective partnerships.

Speakers

  • Maggie Singleton, Center for Sustainable Energy, Equity Associate Manager
  • Vivian Rahwanji, Community Housing Development Corporation, Director of Operations
  • Kevin Hamilton, Central California Asthma Collaborative, Executive Director
Name: Maggie Singleton
Title: Equity Associate Manager
Organization: Center for Sustainable Energy
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Francisco Bay Area, San Joaquin Valley, Statewide
Date: 06/14/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
Case Study

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
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Residential
Reports

Coping with Crises (Part 1) – Maintaining Sustainability Staff Report

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
Region: Statewide
Date: March 2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: CCEC Original Article
Reports

Coping with Crises (Part 2) – Transitioning to Tomorrow’s Buildings

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
Region: Statewide
Date: June 2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency
Additional notes of interest: CCEC Original Article
Tool

Cost Effectiveness Explorer Tool

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.

Name: Eric Engelman
Title: Principal Policy Consultant
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards, Data Requests and Analysis
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Technical Assistance Provider

County of Marin

An Organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: Marin Energy Management Team’s staff assist local governments and school districts in Marin County with energy management. The team acts as an extension of public agency staff, helping to reduce and manage energy use, improve the comfort and productivity of staff, and save scarce dollars. Technical assistance can include energy use data analysis, project identification, connection to available incentives, support writing RFPs, staff reports, and other tasks necessary to design and implement an energy efficiency project.. The elegibility restrictions are the following: Public Agencies, businesses of all sizes, and residential properties located in Marin County that are currently Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) or Marin Clean Energy customers can participate in the program..

Name: Energy Watch Partnership
Title: Marin County: Marin Energy Watch Partnership/Marin Energy Management Team
Organization: County of Marin
Organization Type: City or County
Phone: (415) 473-4381
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
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.

Name: Annie Secrest
Title: Energy & Water Coordinator, Public Works
Organization: County of San Luis Obispo
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Central Coast
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Internal Funding Best Practices
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Residential
Case Study

County of San Mateo LEED Certification

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: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event

County of Santa Barbara One Climate Initiative

Name: Garrett Wong
Title: Climate Program Manager
Organization: County of Santa Barbara
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Central Coast
Date: September 22, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Environmental Justice
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Poster
Case Study

County of Santa Clara has adopted a Sustainability Master Plan

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.

Name: Tonya Veitch
Title: Senior Sustainability Analyst
Organization: County of Santa Clara
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Planning
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Case Study

DC Water Finances Clean River’s Project with Green Bond

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: Internal Funding Best Practices
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.

Name: Sean Armstrong
Organization: Redwood Energy
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA
Region: North Coast
Date: May 2018
Published in 2018
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency
Learning Event

Decarbonizing Homes while Creating Quality Jobs in your Community

Join us for a panel discussion on home electrification or “decarbonization” initiatives and the complementary creation of good jobs in the community – with a focus on economic justice, equity, and environmental health. The panel will explore incorporating high road labor standards into public incentive programs, working with unions and the apprenticeship training programs they provide, and promoting a more sustainable future. The discussion will showcase the Bay Area High Road Training Partnership, which aims to transform the residential retrofit industry from low road to high road, generating family-sustaining jobs while supporting climate sustainability. The panel will feature representatives from a city, a union organization, and public program administrators to discuss strategies for ensuring decarbonization jobs are high road and promoting sustainability efforts while benefiting workers and the community.

Speakers

  • Chiara Arellano, Rising Sun Center for Opportunity, High Road Initiatives Manager
  • Jennifer West, Program Manager, StopWaste
  • Jordan Ackerman, Construction Trades Workforce Initiative, Policy and Public Affairs Manager
  • Billi Romain, City of Berkeley, Energy and Sustainable Development Manager
Name: Chiara Arellano
Title: High Road Initiatives Manager
Organization: Rising Sun Center for Opportunity
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Sacramento Valley, San Francisco Bay Area
Date: 06/13/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Workforce Development
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
Tool

Decide if CHP is Feasible for your Building

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, Codes and Standards, Energy Resilience
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Residential
Tool

DER-CAM Microgrid Tool

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: Distributed Energy Resources
Learning Event

Designing the Right Building Performance Standards for Your City

All-electric building codes are decarbonizing new buildings throughout the state, but the majority of emissions come from existing buildings. Implementing Building Performance Standards (BPS) is an important strategy to cut emissions by targeting the largest polluters. BPS policies help building managers and owners identify inefficiencies and require performance improvements over time. This session will explore lessons learned from cities with experience developing and implementing BPS policies and allow participants to co-create equitable and effective policies for a range of city sizes and characteristics.

Representatives from the cities of Santa Monica, Berkeley, and San Diego will provide an overview of BPS policies in place and under development. Participants will split into breakout groups to design BPS policies based on the characteristics of the city presented at their table and consider companion policies to address any foreseeable consequences on underserved communities and stakeholders.

Speakers

  • Ariana Vito, City of Santa Monica, Senior Sustainability Analyst
  • Shelby Buso, City of San Diego, Chief Sustainability Officer
  • Ammon Reagan, City of Berkeley, Sustainability Program Coordinator
Name: Ariana Vito
Title: Senior Sustainability Analyst
Organization: City of Santa Monica
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Greater Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area
Date: 06/14/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
Best Practices

Developing a Zero Net Energy Roadmap

Steps to success: Benchmark/audit, Prioritize, Track Progress

Name: Alelia Parenteau
Title: Energy & Climate Manager
Organization: City of Santa Barbara
Organization Type: City or County
Phone: 805-564-5474
Region: Central Coast
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Climate Planning, Energy Efficiency
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.

Name: David Burdick
Title: Executive Vice President
Organization: TerraVerde
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Resilience
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Residential
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
Organization: East Bay Community Energy
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Guide

Electric Vehicle Charger Selection Guide – 2017

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: Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event

Electrification and Permitting: It’s Complicated!

Name: Emily Alvarez
Title: StopWaste
Organization: Program Manager
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Date: 6/13/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
Learning Event

Electrify Everything (Except for …): Understanding Reach Code Exemptions

An important and often overlooked part of a reach code is the exemptions. Exemptions can be put in place for a variety of reasons, ranging from recognizing situations where reach code requirements are not feasible to political concessions needed to enact a reach code. As such, exemptions can help a reach code to work smoothly and avoid unintended consequences but can also provide a loophole for those who don’t want to comply. In addition, exemptions can be specific (does not include pools) or general (anything that is not feasible).

Although many jurisdictions have adopted reach codes to require all-electric new construction projects, decarbonizing existing buildings is critical to achieving local, state, and federal emissions reductions goals. The variety of buildings, construction methods, site features, and infrastructure in existing buildings can present implementation challenges for some projects that require special consideration, sometimes warranting an exemption from the reach code requirements. Common challenges include funding limitations for permit applicants, a potentially undesirable impact to local industry, technical/technology-related issues (no commercially available replacement), or site-related constraints (no suitable location for equipment). This session will delve into the options and trade-offs involved in developing and enforcing reach code exemptions that address these challenges while preserving benefits. In addition to introductory presentations, we will use role-playing, audience participation, and facilitated group discussion to engage attendees with the key issues. The session will enable attendees to better understand the options and issues related to exemptions as well as the perspectives and constraints of key stakeholders.

Speakers

  • Misti Bruceri, Misti Bruceri and Associates, LLC, Principal
  • Katen Kristiansson, BayREN, Codes and Standards Program Manager
  • Lawrence Garber, Building Decarbonization Coalition, Local Government Associate
  • Greg Mahoney, County of Sacramento, Chief Building Official
  • Bill Kelley, County of Marin, Deputy Director of Building and Safety
Name: Misti Bruceri
Title: Principal
Organization: Misti Bruceri and Associates, LLC
Organization Type: Other
Region: Statewide
Date: 06/14/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
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: Energy Resilience, Environmental Justice
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Session
Technical Assistance Provider

Empower Procurement

An Organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: Increased adoption for DERs, Best Practices for Procurement, and Electric Fleet planning. The elegibility restrictions are the following: Consultation to determine a procurement gap required before engaging in the Empower Procurement program.

Name: Taylor Grossman
Title: Project Associate
Organization: Empower Procurement
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility
Best Practices

Empower Procurement: E-Building Procurement Initiative

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.

Name: Renee Lafrenz
Title: Senior Manager
Organization: Empower Procurement
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Best Practices

Empower Procurement: E-Fleet Accelerator

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.

Organization: Prospect Silicon Valley
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Best Practices

Empower Procurement: Products Procurement Initiative

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.

Organization: Prospect Silicon Valley
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Energy Resilience, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event

Empowering Residents to take Climate Action on a Community Scale

Name: Patrick Jurney
Title: Program Manager
Organization: Community Climate Solutions
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area
Date: September 22, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Outreach and Engagement
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Poster
Case Study

Encinitas Green Building Incentive Program

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
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event

Energize! A Municipal Residential Energy Efficiency Competition

Energize! is a municipal behavioral energy efficiency competition for high school districts (or other geographies) to compete against each other to deploy home energy retrofits. The Energize! program provides an innovative and effective tool for local governments to improve existing residential building energy efficiency, a sector in which cities typically have little programmatic authority. This session provides participants with cutting-edge big data tools, behavioral social science strategies, and program resources to implement new municipal EE programs.

Speakers:

  • Hal Nelson, Portland State University
  • Alex Polamero, Culture Cube Marketing
  • Harrison Kingery, Res-Intel
Name: Hal Nelson
Organization: Portland State University
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business, Academia and/or Research
Region: Statewide, Out of State
Date: 06/26/2019
Published in 2019
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2019 SEEC Forum Resources
Case Study

Energy Code Connect

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.

Name: Jordan Garbayo
Title: Program Manager
Organization: 3C-REN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Central Coast
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Outreach and Engagement
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Local Governments, Residential
Guide

Energy Efficiency and Health

A Guide for Public Health and Health Care Professionals on Connecting Medically Vulnerable Residents with Energy Efficiency Services

Public health and health care professionals can help residents and communities have healthier housing and better health by connecting them with weatherization and energy efficiency programs. This document provides guidance for successfully establishing a referral program for people receiving health services to receive weatherization and energy efficiency services.

Organization: Public Health Institute
Organization Type: State Government/Agency, Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2018
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency, Public Health
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Residential
Case Study

Energy Efficiency Workforce on the Central Coast

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: Energy Efficiency, Workforce Development
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
Phone: 707-477-1768
Region: Greater Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Codes and Standards
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Guide

Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) Guidance

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
Region: Statewide
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Additional notes of interest: TA Response
Best Practices, Learning Event

Energy Workforce Infrastructure Showcase – Green Energy

In March of 2024, Angela Hacker, the CCEC Statewide Best Practices Coordinator, presented alongside Marilyn De La Cruz, City of Rancho Cucamonga, at the 2024 Energy & Infrastructure Sector Showcase, hosting a discussion on regional energy policy/priorities/resources, and other insights to help connect the dots with regional energy policy and resources as they pertain to the need for growth within the green workforce sector.

Name: Angela Hacker
Title: Statewide Best Practices Coordinator
Organization: CivicWell
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: March 20, 2024
Published in 2024
Topic Areas: Policy, Workforce Development
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Best Practices

Engaging Key Stakeholders

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, Outreach and Engagement
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
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.

Name: Elena Olmedo
Title: Climate Advisor
Organization: City of San Jose
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Date: October 2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Tool

EPA AVoided Emissions and geneRation Tool (AVERT)

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: Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Tribal Governments
Tool

EPA Benchmarking and Building Performance Standards Policy Toolkit

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
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Tribal Governments
Tool

EPA CO-Benefits Risk Assessment Health Impacts Screening and Mapping Tool (COBRA)

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: Energy Efficiency, Public Health, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Tribal Governments
Tool

EPA Energy Savings and Impacts Scenario Tool (ESIST)

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: Energy Efficiency, Public Health
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Tribal Governments
Tool

EPA Health Benefits per kWh Values (BpK)

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: Energy Efficiency, Public Health, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Tribal Governments
Tool

EPA State, Local and Tribal GHG Inventory Tools

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.

State and Tribal Greenhouse Gas Data and Resources 
EPA publishes annual state and tribal-level GHG data and resources

Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Climate Planning
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Tribal Governments
Learning Event

Equitable Electrification for Multifamily Properties

As California jurisdictions seek to decarbonize their building stocks while simultaneously addressing the state’s housing crisis, the challenge of how to retrofit existing multifamily buildings without displacing residents looms large. This session will tell the story of how low-income multifamily properties in the Bay Area layered multiple funding sources to complete comprehensive clean energy and electrification retrofits. Attendees will learn how the projects came together, what technical challenges had to be overcome, and how residents were engaged throughout the process. It will also touch on how incentive programs are evolving to more holistically serve owners and residents.

The panelists will then discuss lessons learned for both local jurisdictions and multifamily property owners, including solutions to common barriers to electrification, how to make the financials of multifamily retrofits pencil out, and how to incorporate resident voices.

The following programs were leveraged and will be discussed: BAMBE, SOMAH, LIWP, TECH Clean CA

Speakers

  • Marisa Villarreal, GRID Alternatives, SOMAH Program Director
  • Sheetal Chitnis, Association for Energy Affordability, Senior Program Manager
  • Ben Cooper, StopWaste, Program Manager
  • Emma Barker, Eden Housing, Inc., Associate Project Developer
Name: Marisa Villarreal
Title: SOMAH Program Manager
Organization: GRID Alternatives
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Date: 06/13/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Residential
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
Tool

EV Fleet Tools

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: Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event

Existing Building Electrification: A Message of Hope and Action

We bring a message of hope. Hope that electrifying existing buildings is possible when led by local leaders and decision makers like you. Panelists will cover the California Scoping plan and roadmap to zero emissions, code, programs focused on electrification, and innovative actions local government and community-based organizations are taking. Panelists will integrate equity and environmental justice, while exploring opportunities and partnerships that provide the path to zero that we are reaching for.  

Attendee participation will be encouraged. We will provide a space for the panelists and participants to discuss current state policy, regionalized resources, lessons learned and tools/mechanisms to advance local building electrification priorities. Participants will leave the session with a better understanding of California’s scoping plan, how code will be integrated, program opportunities, and community level strategies that promote innovation and investment.

Speakers

  • Lou Jacobson, Willdan, Director
  • Vivan Malkani, Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc., Senior Consultant
  • Jordan Garbayo, County of San Luis Obispo, Energy Program Manager
  • Jaime Alonso, GRID Alternatives Inland Empire, Executive Director
  • Rochelle Butler, San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization, Energy Manager
  • Lindsey Tillisch, Pacific Gas & Electric
Name: Lou Jacobson
Title: Director
Organization: Willdan
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Date: 06/14/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Environmental Justice
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
Learning Event

Exit Interview with Jenny Berg: Capturing Takeaways and Insights from the Retiring Manager of BayREN

We welcome you to listen to an “exit interview” with BayREN’s retiring manager, Jenny Berg. As a key energy leader and knowledge holder in our State, and a successful proponent of regional administration, we asked Jenny to reflect on the development of regional energy networks, how administering programs has changed over the last decade, and what’s needed next, along with many other unique takeaways and insights.

Name: Angela Hacker
Title: Statewide Best Practices Coordinator
Organization: California Climate and Energy Collaborative
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Date: 07/07/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit
Reports

Exploring Compliance Enforcement Opportunities at the Local Government Level: BayREN’s PROP Report

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

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.

Name: Susan Mazur-Stommen
Title: Founder and Principal
Organization: INDICIA Consulting
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Sacramento Valley
Date: 07/08/2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Environmental Justice
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2020 CCEC Forum Resources
Best Practices

Federal stimulus-funded local and regional energy programs

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: Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Tool

Fremont Green Challenge

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: Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Residential
Case Study

Fremont’s Smart City Action Plan

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: Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

Fresno County Employees’ Retirement Association Pension Funds

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: Internal Funding Best Practices
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event

Fueling Energy Conservation and Efficiency through Gamification

This panel will showcase proven ways to engage employees in energy conservation and efficiency through gamification. The Port of San Diego, along with The Energy Coalition and Center for Sustainable Energy, will break down two recent engagement campaigns. Panelists will highlight lessons learned from each of the campaigns, while providing panel attendees with best practices to implement an educational campaign at their organization. You will even have a chance to participate in a game and slay energy vampires. Get inspired to test out similar behavior change campaigns with your employees to help reach your sustainability goals!

Speakers:

  • Rachel Stern, Port of San Diego
  • Amy Whitehouse, The Energy Coalition
  • Michael Arvizu, Center for Sustainable Energy
  • Rita de la Fuente, San Diego Convention Center Corporation
Name: Rachel Stern
Organization: Port of San Diego
Organization Type: City or County, Other Local Government, Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Diego, Statewide
Date: 06/26/2019
Published in 2015
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Local Governments, Nonprofit
Additional notes of interest: 2019 SEEC Forum Resources
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.

Name: Lindsey Hawes
Title: Municipal Energy Program Manager
Organization: City of San Diego
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Diego
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding
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
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Date: September 21, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Residential
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
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Date: May 2018
Published in 2018
Topic Areas: Policy
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Guide

Geothermal Guide: Best Practices for Calfornia

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: 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
Name: MIsti Bruceri
Title: Coordinator and Technical Lead
Organization: Statewide Reach Codes Program
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Date: September 22, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Session
Case Study

Goleta Load Pocket Community Microgrid

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.

Name: Craig Lewis
Title: Executive Director
Organization: The Clean Coalition
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Central Coast
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Resilience
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Tool

Google Environmental Insights Explorer

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.

Name: Nicole Lombardo
Title: Business Strategy & Partnerships
Organization: Google
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Data Requests and Analysis
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event

Google Nest Smart Thermostat: An Accessible and Equitable Energy Solution

Name: Chad Ihrig
Title: Partner Manager
Organization: Google Nest
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Date: September 22, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Poster
Learning Event

Grassroots Community Carbon Conversations: An Important Ingredient toward Achieving Community Decarbonization Goals

Name: Tor Allen
Title: Executive Director
Organization: The Rahus Institute
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Date: 6/13/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Outreach and Engagement
Sectors Targeted: Nonprofit
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
Case Study

Greater Richmond Interfaith Project

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.

Organization: Greater Richmond Interfaith Project
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Best Practices

Green & Healthy Homes Initiative

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, Public Health
Sectors Targeted: 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

Name: David Burdick
Title: Executive Vice President
Organization: TerraVerde
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Energy Resilience, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Local Governments, Residential
Case Study

Green Hayward PAYS® program

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 Efficiency, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Case Study

Green House Call Service – Free Energy & Water Efficiency Kits

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: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Residential
Tool

Green Infrastructure: Lower Building Energy Demands

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
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.

Name: Jennifer Berg
Title: Energy Programs Manager
Organization: BayREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Tool

Green Region Initiative

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: Data Requests and Analysis
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event

Grid Modernization: Global Insights & Local Solutions

This one-and-a-half hour event, hosted in conjunction with the Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition, features a series of speakers from around the globe discussing common challenges and potential solutions as governments worldwide seek to transform their electric grids for a decarbonized future. Among other topics, participants will hear about the complex dynamics of grid transformation, the capacity of the grid to handle electrification, the role of microgrids in a decarbonized grid, and the potential of public-private partnerships to help streamline the energy transition. With a diverse array of speakers and topics, this webinar has something to offer for anyone interested in the future of our energy system!

Organization: CCEC/LGSEC
Region: Statewide
Date: November 29. 2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Infrastructure, Renewable Energy & Storage
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

Name: Rick Brown
Title: President
Organization: TerraVerde Energy
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Date: February 2018
Published in 2018
Topic Areas: 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.

Name: Rick Brown
Title: President and Founder
Organization: TerraVerde Energy
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Date: March 2018
Published in 2018
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Efficiency
Guide

Guide to California Climate Zones

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: Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency
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.

Name: Tonya Veitch
Title: Senior Sustainability Analyst
Organization: County of Santa Clara
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Case Study

Hayward Unified School District Bonds

Hayward Unified School District issued $20M in bonds for renewable energy and sustainability projects.

Organization: Hayward Unified School District
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Internal Funding Best Practices, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

Hayward’s New Municipal Building Zero Net Energy Policy

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.”

The City Council report and resulting formal resolution are available on Hayward’s Meeting and Agenda Center here.

Looking for more on ZNE? Click here.

Organization: City of Hayward
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2016
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
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
Region: Statewide
Date: 08/19/2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit
Additional notes of interest: 2021 CCEC Forum Resources
Technical Assistance Provider, Learning Event

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
Region: Greater Los Angeles, Statewide
Date: 10/21/2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Environmental Justice, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2020 CCEC Forum Resources
Best Practices

How do I keep track of energy efficiency program and policy changes relevant to local governments?

Energy efficiency in California is a hot topic, and constantly evolving. Some things local governments may want to keep track of include:

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.

Name: Angie Hacker
Title: Statewide Best Practices Coordinator
Organization: Local Government Commission
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: 08/03/2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Planning
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2021 CCEC Forum Resources
Learning Event

How Multifamily Clean Energy Programs Support an Equitable and Sustainable Future

Name: Tim Mensalvas
Title: ME&O Manager
Organization: TRC
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Date: September 22, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Poster
Learning Event

How the California Energy Storage Permitting Guidebook is Accelerating Adoption of Customer-Side Energy Storage Systems

Name: Kelly Leather
Title: Distributed Energy Resources Manager
Organization: Center for Sustainable Energy
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: 6/13/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
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
Date: 06/16/2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit
Additional notes of interest: 2020 CCEC Forum Resources
Case Study

Imperial Irrigation District Bonds

Imperial Irrigation District issued $65M in bonds for renewable energy projects.

Organization: Imperial Irrigation District
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Inland Empire
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Internal Funding Best Practices, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

Implementing ESPCs in Fremont, Mountain View and South San Francisco

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 Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event

Incorporating Environmental Justice Priorities into Regulatory and Enforcement Policy

While investments in clean energy opportunities for environmental justice communities is a critical component to a just transition, influencing decision-making and conducting robust environmental enforcement are equally necessary for rectifying environmental injustice. In this session, we will hear from leaders at the CA Public Utilities Commission, the California Department of Justice, and Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability about their approach to incorporating environmental justice into regulatory and enforcement policy, some early successes, and where the State has room to grow. Participants will leave with a deeper knowledge of how an equity approach can be incorporated into enforcement practices and concrete examples of communities accessing decision-making power.

Name: Monica Palmeira
Title: Analyst
Organization: California Public Utilities Commission
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Date: 08/11/2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Environmental Justice
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Additional notes of interest: 2021 CCEC Forum Resources
Best Practices

Increasing EV Adoption: From Paper to Production

Electric vehicles have received more attention than ever in California in recent years and are continuing to gain more market share in the U.S. auto industry, with ripple effects on the energy industry. To support greater EV adoption, local governments are transitioning their own public fleets to EV while targeting EV infrastructure investments towards the populations and locations that need them. This session will feature a moderated panel of local EV experts that will share thoughts on the current progress and opportunities for EVs in California, and innovative approaches to planning, procurement, and implementation of local EV initiatives that can effectively curb emissions and drive equity.

Name: Michael Chiacos
Title: Director of Energy and Climate Programs
Organization: Community Environmental Council
Organization Type: City or County, Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: 08/10/2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2021 CCEC Forum Resources
Tool

Indicators of Climate Change in California

Research and present indicators in periodic reports describing how California’s climate is changing and how these changes are affecting the state. Indicators are scientifically-based measurements that track trends in various aspects of climate change.

Organization: California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Data Requests and Analysis
Best Practices

Institute for Local Government’s Beacon Program

ILG’s Beacon Program provides recognition and support for California local agencies that are working to build more vibrant and sustainable communities. Beacon honors voluntary efforts by cities, counties and special districts that are reducing greenhouse gas emissions, saving energy and adopting policies that promote sustainability.

Organization: Institute for Local Government
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Policy
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event

Investing in a Climate-Safe Future: Business and Government Roundtable

Nonprofits and governments advocate for policies and programs to achieve social, economic and environmental goals.  But the clean energy economy will be built by the private sector. This is true whether we are talking about efficient, all-electric homes, electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, or farms and ranches that grow our food and wine. All these enterprises are privately held, and privately operated. This session will bring together top business leaders from the North Bay to share their programs and practices, and engage in conversation with a cross section of activists and government representatives to better understand how the public and private sectors can better collaborate in creating a future that is clean, affordable, resilient, equitable and safe.

Speakers

  • Doron Amiron, The Climate Center, Business Program Manager
  • Ardi Arian, Renewable America, President & CEO
  • Brad Baker, SOMO Group, CEO
  • Jane Elias, County of Sonoma, Energy and Sustainability Manager
Name: Doron Amiron
Title: Business Program Manager
Organization: The Climate Center
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Date: 06/13/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
Best Practices

Job Training with SOMAH

SOMAH in increasing access to solar jobs. 50% of participants in their training programs are either local hires (living in the community that the project is in) or a targeted hire (affordable housing residents, women, BIPOC, justice-impacted, single parents, facing barriers to employment). SOMAH provides a wage floor of 1.4x the local minimum wage and provides career development resources and workshops for trainees.

Name: Staci Hoell
Title: Workforce Development Manager
Organization: SOMAH
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Renewable Energy & Storage, Workforce Development
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Best Practices, Learning Event

Keeping the Focus Local: A Conversation with SoCalREN Regional Partnerships

Join us for an exciting panel featuring SoCalREN’s regional partners, South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG), High Sierra Energy Foundation (HSEF), San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) and San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization (SJVCEO). Our panel speakers will share how they are matching SoCalREN resources with the unique needs of their region, including disadvantaged and rural communities. Specifically, they will discuss the recent shift towards virtual services and how it may actually benefit these hard-to-reach communities.

Name: Nicol Manzanares
Title: Program Manager
Organization: The Energy Coalition
Organization Type: Governmental Association, Nonprofit Organization
Region: Greater Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin Valley
Date: 10/15/2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments, Nonprofit
Additional notes of interest: 2020 CCEC Forum Resources
Reports

Legislative Update (2015)

California’s New Energy-Related Laws for 2015

Region: Statewide
Published in 2015
Topic Areas: Policy
Reports

Legislative Update (2016)

California’s New Energy-Related Laws for 2016

Region: Statewide
Published in 2016
Topic Areas: Policy
Reports

Legislative Update (2017)

California’s New Energy-Related Laws for 2017

Region: Statewide
Published in 2017
Topic Areas: Policy
Reports

Legislative Update (2018)

California’s New Energy-Related Laws for 2018

Region: Statewide
Published in 2018
Topic Areas: Policy
Reports

Legislative Update (2019)

California’s New Energy-Related Laws for 2019

Region: Statewide
Published in 2019
Topic Areas: Policy
Reports

Legislative Update (2020)

California’s New Energy-Related Laws for 2020

Region: Statewide
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Policy
Reports

Legislative Update (2022)

California’s New Energy-Related Laws for 2022

Region: Statewide
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Policy
Reports

Legislative Update (2022)

California’s New Energy-Related Laws for 2022

Region: Statewide
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Policy
Reports

Legislative Update (2023)

California’s New Energy-Related Laws for 2023

Region: Statewide
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Policy
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 1, Featuring a Conversation with CARB

The first Local Energy Resources Network (LERN) meeting was held on October 12th. This was an interactive exchange of local energy and climate knowledge, resources, and opportunities. It featured a discussion on State and local collaboration on climate action with guests from the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: October 12, 2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 10, Featuring a Conversation on SOMAH

At the tenth monthly Local Energy Resources Network (LERN) meeting, LERN was joined by Chris Walker from Grid Alternatives and Mai Fang from the Center For Sustainable Energy for a conversation on Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH).

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: July 12, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 11, Featuring a Conversation with the U.S. Department of Energy

At the eleventh monthly Local Energy Resources Network (LERN) meeting, LERN was joined by Michael Forrester, the Acting Principal Deputy Director for the Office of State and Community Energy Programs at the US Department of Energy.

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: September 13, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 12, Featuring Leah Louis-Prescott, Manager with the Carbon-Free Buildings Team at the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI)

At the twelfth monthly Local Energy Resources Network (LERN) meeting, LERN was joined by Leah Louis-Prescott, Manager with the Carbon-Free Buildings Team at the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI). She provided an overview of the Equitable Home Electrification Toolkit. This toolkit was published by RMI and Emerald Cities Collaborative (ECC) to help communities across the country take meaningful steps toward equitably electrifying their housing stock through a planning process designed to maximize engagement and co-ownership between local governments and frontline community groups.

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: October 11, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 13, Featuring Abby Edwards from the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR)

For LERN’s thirteenth meeting, we were joined by Abby Edwards, Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program’s Adaptation Planning Grant Program Manager at the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR). Abby will discuss the new Adaptation Planning Grant, Regional Resilience Planning and Implementation Grant, and other programs that can help members of the CCEC network advance their energy resilience and local climate action goals. Join us to learn how you can prepare for and help inform these exciting programs.Show less

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: November 8, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 14, Featuring Steven Moss, Partner at M. Cubed and Roger Dickinson, Policy Director at CivicWell

LERN’s final meeting of 2022 featured a year-end roundup of relevant legislation and policy developments from Steven Moss, Partner at M. Cubed and regulatory consultant for the Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition, as well as Roger Dickinson, Policy Director at CivicWell. This meeting also featured an opportunity highlight on the Building Initiative for Low-Emissions Development (BUILD) Program.

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: December 13th, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 15, Featuring A Conversation with Caltrans & DOE

LERN’s first meeting of 2023 featured an Opportunity Spotlight on the Sustainable Transportation Planning Grants (STPG) from Odemi Ibrahim and Priscilla Martina-Velez from Caltrans. The majority of our call will feature a discussion on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program with Odette Mucha, State and Community Energy Programs Analyst with the Department of Energy (DOE).

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: January 10th, 2022
Published in 2024
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 16, Featuring A Conversation on the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program

In addition to providing an overview of timely local clean energy and climate opportunities, February’s LERN featured a discussion on the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) program. Speakers joined us from Strategic Growth Council and County of San Diego, which shared its experience as a TCC Round 4 awardee. In addition, CCEC shared a “Need/Have Board”, an informal way to flag interest in partnership between jurisdictions, partner organizations, and service providers.

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: February 14th, 2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 17, Featuring Opportunities and Resources from Across the State

In addition to providing an overview of timely local clean energy and climate opportunities, March’s LERN featured a discussion on the Statewide Reach Codes Program’s newly released templates designed to help municipalities develop local reach codes, an introduction to Access Clean CA by Grid Alternatives, and County of Contra Costa provided information on how to support SB 511, new legislation they’ve co-sponsored with CivicWell to address local GHG inventory needs. In addition, CCEC shared a “Need/Have Board”, an informal way to flag interest in partnership between jurisdictions, partner organizations, and service providers.

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: March 14th, 2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 18, Featuring A Conversation with NREL & DOE

LERN’s April 2023 meeting held a featured presentation on the Solar Power in Your Community Guidebook (SPYC) from Emily Dalecki from the National Renewable Energy Lab, and an Opportunity Spotlight on the DOE’s BuildingsUp Prize from Kassandra Grimes from the DOE.

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: April 11th, 2022
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 19, Featuring The CA Energy Design Assistance Program and US Environmental Protection Agency

LERN’s May 2023 meeting held a featured presentation on the California Energy Design Assistance (CEDA) Program with Tina Hendrix from Willdan, and an overview on available funding programs, tools, and guides available from by Andrea Denny at the US EPA.

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: May 9th, 2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 2, Featuring Congressman Salud Carbajal

At the second monthly Local Energy Resources Network (LERN) meeting, LERN was fortunate to be joined by U.S. Congressman Salud Carbajal of CA’s 24th District, which includes the entirety of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties, and a portion of Ventura County. Congressman Carbajal discussed the current direction of federal policy, and offered advice about where the biggest opportunities for CA communities currently lie.

Organization: California Climate & Energy Collaborative
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: November 9, 2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 20, Featuring the Strategic Growth Council’s Regional Climate Collaboratives Program

LERN’s July 2023 meeting held a featured presentation on the Regional Climate Collaboratives Program with Ena Lupine from SGC, and an overview on available funding programs, tools, and technical assistance available.

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: July 11th, 2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 22, Featuring the California Energy Commission

LERN’s September 2023 meeting held a featured presentation with Carol Schmitt from the California Energy Commission, and a request for input on their upcoming Contractor Training program.

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: September 12th, 2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 23, Featuring BayREN and BluePoint Planning

LERN’s October 2023 meeting held an opportunity spotlight from the Public Health Institute/RAMP, and a featured presentation on the Home Energy Score by BayREN/BluePoint Planning.

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: State Government/Agency, Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Date: October 10th, 2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 24, Featuring Energy Solutions and Environmental Protection Network

LERN’s November 2023 meeting held an opportunity spotlight from Energy Solutions on their TECH Clean California program, and a featured presentation by the Environmental Protection Network.

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: State Government/Agency, Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Date: October 10th, 2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 25, Featuring 2023 Legislative & Regulatory Updates

LERN’s December 2023 meeting held a featured presentation from Roger Dickinson, Civicwell’s Policy Director, and Steven Moss, LGSEC’s Regulatory Consultant on 2023 legislative & regulatory updates.

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: State Government/Agency, Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Date: December 12, 2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 26, Featuring TECH Clean CA and Input Opportunities

LERN’s January 2024 meeting held a featured presentation from TECH Clean CA, proposing and searching for more collaboration opportunities, and spotlights on two current input opportunities.

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: State Government/Agency, Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Date: January 9, 2024
Published in 2024
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 27, Featuring Regional Energy Networks (RENs) on Normalized Metered Energy Consumption (NMEC) programs

LERN’s February 2024 call included a panel of I-REN, Bay-REN, SoCalREN, and 3C-REN on Normalized Metered Energy Consumption (NMEC) programs from various parts of the State, with a moderated and audience Q&A.

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: State Government/Agency, Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Date: February 13, 2024
Published in 2024
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 28, Featuring California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank)

LERN’s March 2024 call included a featured presentation on IBank’s Climate Financing program and open RFI, with a moderated audience Q&A.

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: State Government/Agency, Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Date: March 12, 2024
Published in 2024
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 3, Featuring a Conversation with the Strategic Growth Council

At the third monthly Local Energy Resources Network (LERN) meeting, LERN was fortunate to be joined by Sarah Risher of the Strategic Growth Council. Sarah is the Analyst for the Community Assistance for Climate Equity Program (CACE), which provides technical assistance and capacity building services to help communities access funding resources, implement high-impact projects, and advance their climate and equity priorities.

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: December 14, 2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 4, CalEPA’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment

At the fourth monthly Local Energy Resources Network (LERN) meeting, LERN was fortunate to be joined by Laura August & Walker Wieland, Research Scientists with CalEPA’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. They discussed updates to CalEnviroScreen 4.0, the process of identifying disadvantaged communities, and potential funding impacts for local governments.

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: January 11, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 5, a Conversation with the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research

At the fifth monthly Local Energy Resources Network (LERN) meeting, LERN was fortunate to be joined by Mary Collins and Fabiha Zaman with the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. They discussed the Community Economic Resilience Fund Program (CERF), its planning phase, and the implementation grants that follow.

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: February 8, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 6, Featuring Another Conversation with the Strategic Growth Council

At the sixth monthly Local Energy Resources Network (LERN) meeting, LERN was fortunate to be joined by Jerry Rivero & Sarah Newsham, a Program Analyst and Associate (respectively) with the Transformative Climate Communities Program (TCC) at the Strategic Growth Council.

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: March 8, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 7, Featuring a Conversation with CAEATFA

At the sixth monthly Local Energy Resources Network (LERN) meeting, LERN was fortunate to be joined by Kelly Delaney and Jonathan Verhoef, a Program Analyst and Energy Efficiency Specialist (respectively) with the California Hub for Energy Efficiency Financing (CHEEF) at the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority.

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: April 12, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 8, Featuring a Conversation with the California Energy Commission

At the eighth monthly Local Energy Resources Network (LERN) meeting, LERN was joined by Erik Stokes, the Deputy Division Chief, Energy Research and Development Division with the California Energy Commission.

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: May 10, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

LERN Meeting 9, Featuring a Jon Costantino from Tradesman Advisors Inc.

At the ninth monthly Local Energy Resources Network (LERN) meeting, LERN was joined by Jon Costantino, the Founding Principal of Tradesman Advisors.

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: June 14, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources
Learning Event

Let’s Co-Create a Roadmap to Equitably Retrofit Buildings!

You already have a foolproof building retrofit strategy for aligning federal, state, and regional resources to achieve your climate goals and deliver equitable community benefit, right? Wait, you don’t!? Well, then… let’s get together for 75 minutes to work on this problem together! We’ll start with brief overview presentations from the Building Decarbonization Coalition, City of Berkeley, and City of San Luis Obispo. Then we’ll break into small groups facilitated by staff from Central Coast Community Energy, The Switch is On, 3C-REN, Building Decarbonization Coalition and the cities of San Luis Obispo and Berkeley to develop programs for the fictional City of Heatpumptopia. By the end of the session, you’ll learn important program design considerations from your peers, make new connections, and head home inspired and ready to get to work on your own programs. 

Speakers

  • Lucia Pohlman, County of San Luis Obispo, Sustainability and Natural Resources Analyst
  • Panama Bartholomy, Building Decarbonization Coalition, Director
  • Rebecca Milliken, City of Berkeley, Sustainability Outreach Specialist
Name: Lucia Pohlman
Title: Sustainability and Natural Resources Analyst
Organization: County of San Luis Obispo
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area
Date: 06/14/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
Best Practices, Learning Event

Leveraging Solar & Battery Systems to Lower Costs & Increase Resiliency

Our communities need cheaper, cleaner, more reliable electricity. With the increased frequency of power shutoff events and other power outages, communities need backup power resources. And with energy rates continuing to climb and shift, communities need resources that can help them control their energy costs and save money. When paired with solar, batteries can provide both backup power and cost savings benefits. In this virtual event, David Burdick & Ali Chehrehsaz of TerraVerde Energy will be sharing their team’s experience supporting California public agencies with solar and battery energy storage projects. We will discuss how changes in energy reliability and rates are impacting communities, the latest on funding & programs for these projects (including the fast moving SGIP incentive program, and a new solar refi program), methods for assessing the Economic Value of Resilience, and how local governments can take action in lowering energy costs and increasing energy resiliency.

Name: David Burdick
Title: Executive Vice President
Organization: TerraVerde Energy
Organization Type: Business or Trade Association
Region: Statewide
Date: 08/19/2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Resilience, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2021 CCEC Forum Resources
Learning Event

LGSEC/CCEC Joint Event: Empowering Residents to take Climate Action on a Community Scale

This event was co-hosted by the Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition (LGSEC) and the California Climate and Energy Collaborative (CCEC) on August 25 from 2-3pm Pacific Time to learn best practices for empowering residents to take action on climate change and help build a more resilient community. Attendees learned about online tools to help make it simple and easy for residents to engage with solutions and track progress on impact, and proven strategies for community engagement and behavior change. This webinar provided an overview of strategies for engaging community members on climate and resilience actions with case study examples from three community programs in California – the Cities of San Jose and Fremont California and a regional collaborative of the 6 central coast counties of Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Monterrey, San Benito, and San Luis Obispo.

Organization: Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: August 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Outreach and Engagement
Additional notes of interest: LGSEC/CCEC Joint Event
Tool

Local Actions for Climate Change

This library hosts a variety of tools and resources for local governments. Here you will find four different toolkits catered to local governments, small businesses, households and individuals, and schools. These toolkits include resources such as guidelines on how to calculate and inventory current GHG emissions, cost-saving strategies to reduce GHG emissions, an easy-to-use carbon footprint calculator, and case studies to learn what other local governments, businesses, and schools have been able to accomplish.

Name: Neil Matouka
Title: Local Government Climate Action Planning Liaison
Organization: California Air Resources Board
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Data Requests and Analysis
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event

Local Energy Codes: Tools for Reaching Your Climate Action Goals

Reach codes (local energy ordinances) are one of the tools local governments can use to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as save energy and money. This session will discuss the local goals that can be addressed with reach codes, including decarbonization, and will provide an overview of various reach code strategies and options local governments can consider. The issue of treatment and drug delivery will not be addressed. Attendees will also hear about experiences and lessons learned from local governments who have adopted reach codes in the past, and will leave with information about resources available to assist with reach code efforts.

Region: Statewide
Date: September 2019
Published in 2019
Topic Areas: Codes and Standards
Best Practices, Learning Event

Local Government Electrification: Opportunities and Challenges

Join the Empower Procurement Program for an exciting and collaborative workshop which will tackle the challenge of electrification strategic planning through the lens of DERs procurement. Along with fellow local government representatives, participants at various stages in their journey will have an opportunity to share best practices and gain access to valuable planning resources designed by subject matter experts. This session is intended to kick start a coordinated and networked support system to enable local governments to work together to meet this challenge in California. Empower Procurement is a CEC EPIC-funded program including partners from Energy Solutions, Prospect Silicon Valley, the Local Government Commission and others.

Name: Benjamin Zank
Title: Engineer
Organization: Energy Solutions
Organization Type: City or County, Electric Utility or CCA, Business or Trade Association
Region: San Francisco Bay Area, Statewide
Date: 08/17/2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2021 CCEC Forum Resources
Best Practices

Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition

LGSEC is a statewide membership network representing local government interests to state agencies such as CPUC, CEC, and CARB. Together, LGSEC members advance sustainable energy and climate solutions to meet California’s climate and energy goals through knowledge exchange, targeted learning opportunities, and statewide collaboration. Sustainability staff can maximize staff capacity by becoming a member of the LGSEC to engage and represent their jurisdictions in statewide regulatory energy policy.

Name: Sarina Soor
Title: Project Manager
Organization: LGSEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Efficiency, Energy Resilience, Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Best Practices

Local Governments as Innovation Partners

During technology development, Local Governments can serve as excellent partners for pilot or demonstration projects. It is a good best practice for local governments to partner with technology providers when they are applying for EPIC grants through the CEC. There will soon be a call for places section of the Empower Innovation website to help create connections for project partners.

Name: Katrina Leni-Konig
Title: Supervisor Technology Scale-up and Outreach, Assistant Tribal Liaison
Organization: California Energy Commission
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding, Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Best Practices, Case Study

Local Governments Leading the Way through Resilient Microgrids

Wildfires, power shut-offs, and other climate effects are driving the critical need for energy resiliency across California communities. Local government and institutions are taking the lead on microgrids in many areas to ensure their residents continue to receive critical services and back-up power. Given the technical complexity and range of possible microgrid models, local governments can best benefit by learning from one another and working together to implement a sustainable future for us all.

This panel session will feature diverse local experts, each with a unique perspective on developing innovative, resilient microgrid solutions across the state:

  • Mike Grim, City of Carlsbad – Feature project: Carlsbad microgrid
  • Craig Lewis, Clean Coalition (non-profit) – Feature projects: City of Camarillo solar microgrid and City of Santa Barbara community microgrid
  • Jim Zoellick, Humboldt State University – Feature project: Redwood Coast Energy Authority and Pacific Gas & Electric community microgrid

Presenters will discuss the goals and multiple benefits their microgrid projects address – from resiliency to carbon reduction, reliability, and government operations. They will explore the process and funding sources they have leveraged to develop studies and designs. And they will highlight the stakeholders and partnerships behind many of their microgrid projects which have been critical to their success. Finally, presenters will share important lessons learned and recommendations from their experiences for other communities eager to explore similar opportunities.

Name: Mike Grim
Title: Senior Programs Manager
Organization: City of Carlsbad
Organization Type: City or County, Nonprofit Organization, Academia and/or Research
Region: North Coast, San Diego, Statewide
Date: 09/29/2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2020 CCEC Forum Resources
Learning Event

Local Natural Gas Emission Reduction Options

Local energy and climate practitioners interested in learning about reach code and other approaches to lowering natural gas emissions were invited to participate in a discussion-driven learning opportunity hosted by Statewide Best Practices Coordinator, Angie Hacker, and featured local leaders and topical experts. The event occurred on April 23, 2020 @10am-noon. View more information and additional resources. 

Name: Angie Hacker
Title: Best Practices Coordinator
Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: April 23, 2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Codes and Standards
Additional notes of interest: TA Response
Learning Event

Local Ordinances

Misti Bruceri has worked in energy efficiency, sustainability for more than 20 years.  As principal of Misti Bruceri and Associates, LLC since 2007, she provides technical consulting services to private firms, non-profit organizations, and utilities.  Ms. Bruceri serves as a developer and subject matter expert for the Codes and Standards reach codes and compliance improvement teams.

In the video below Ms. Bruceri will describe the California Energy Codes and Standards Program, the “reach” codes subprogram, and resources that are available to local governments to support going beyond the statewide minimum code.

Name: Misti Bruceri
Organization: Misti Bruceri and Associates
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Date: August 2017
Published in 2017
Topic Areas: Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency
Learning Event

Locals Only: Breaking Through Regional Barriers for Energy Action

Just before the start of the pandemic, SoCalREN began partnering with regional organizations to equitably expand program reach. By mid 2020, we had onboarded five regional partners—a mix of non-profit organizations and councils of governments—with a tremendous breadth of insights into how we could craft more regionally-relevant resources. Fast forward two years, and we’ve got a lot to show for our collaborative efforts! This session will highlight how regional partners have worked with SoCalREN to break through agencies’ skepticism of a region-wide program, promote existing offerings, and co-create new ones. SoCalREN’s regional partners will feature the initiative pilots that they designed and launched this year, including a home energy assessment program, and a comprehensive Energy Resiliency Action Plan program for climate-vulnerable communities. As we enter the third year of regional partnerships, we will engage the audience in a discussion of best practices to increase local energy action so that all communities can realize the benefits of energy savings.

Speakers

  • Kim Fuentes, South Bay Cities Council of Governments, Deputy Executive Director
  • Sumi Gant (She/Hers), Gateway Cities Council of Governments, SoCalREN Program
  • Pam Close Bold, High Sierra Energy Foundation, Executive Director
  • Amy Whitehouse (she/her) (Moderator), SoCalREN, Project Manager
  • Samantha Dodero, San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization, Associate Executive Director
  • Nicholas Ryu, San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, Manager of Natural Resources & Sustainability
  • Lujuana Medina, SoCalREN, Environmental Initiatives Manager
Name: Amy Whitehouse
Title: Project Manager
Organization: The Energy Coalition
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Greater Los Angeles, Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin Valley
Date: September 22, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Session
Case Study

Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator

Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) Innovators is the premiere network access program for early-stage startups in Southern California working together to create an inclusive green economy. Learn more about the timing, benefits, and eligibility criteria of the Innovators Program Cohort 6.

Organization: Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI)
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Commercial
Case Study

Los Angeles County Internal Services Department Energy Bill Surcharge

The Los Angeles County Internal Services Department made a one-time decision to add a small percentage surcharge on departments’ energy bills to pay for staff and consultants tasked with lowering the County’s energy costs. As Howard Choy explains in a recent interview, this financial mechanism helped his sustainability team weather previous economic downturns and does not require annual budget appropriation.

Organization: Los Angeles County Internal Services Department
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Internal Funding Best Practices
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

Los Angeles LED Street Lighting Retrofit Project

LA’s LED Street Lighting Retrofit Project converted over 140,000 public lights to LEDs. Even after accounting for the cost of repaying the project loan, the project had saved LA more than $7 million annually while also reducing energy usage by 63%. The project also created 11 new positions at the LA Bureau of Street Lighting and about 300 jobs for manufacturers.

Organization: Los Angeles Bureau of Street Lighting
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

Low Carbon Community Microgrid at Blue Lake Rancheria

EPIC funded microgrid project on tribal lands with unique project design

Name: David Erne
Title: Supervisor
Organization: California Energy Commission
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Phone: 916-327-1399
Region: North Coast
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources
Sectors Targeted: Tribal Governments
Case Study

Low-Income Families and Tenants (LIFT) Program

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has awarded $3.5 million to MCE to conduct a two-year, Low-Income Family and Tenants (LIFT) pilot program to better serve income-qualified multifamily communities in MCE’s service area. As residents of income-qualified multifamily housing, renters face multiple barriers to participating in energy efficiency programs, including fear of property owner retaliation, lack of control over any significant upgrades made to their units, concerns about sharing personal information, immigration enforcement actions, and financial constraints. To help alleviate these challenges, outreach efforts for the LIFT program will be aimed towards property owners and managers.

Organization: Marin County Energy
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Case Study

Madera County Set to Save Energy, and Nearly $15M in Tax Dollars through Facility Energy Efficiency Upgrades and Solar Install

The Madera County Board of Supervisors announced at its March 1, 2016 Board meeting that it has completed the latest chapter in its successful solar and energy efficiency program with OpTerra Energy Services energy performance contracting. OpTerra’s press release is shared below. You can watch a short news clip and hear more from County leadership on efforts to save the County money through the project here at ABC News.

Organization: Madera County
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Joaquin Valley
Published in 2016
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Internal Funding Best Practices, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Best Practices, Learning Event

Maintaining Local Momentum towards Climate Goals: Reach Code Collaboration

2019 was a watershed year for California’s local jurisdictions taking action on achieving strategic climate action and greenhouse gas emissions reductions goals. More than 25 jurisdictions developed and adopted local energy ordinances. In January 2020, the Energy Commission approved its 100th reach ordinance, noting the milestone by observing “… generally we are heading, as a state per the Executive Order, towards carbon neutrality by 2045. And we need local partners to get there.” Since January, 16 more reach code packages have been approved.

Statewide, regional and local organizations offer tremendous potential for maintaining this momentum through collaborative partnerships in sharing resources, best practices for outreach, stakeholder engagement and consensus building, model language and cost analyses assets, and more.

This webinar gathers experts from local jurisdictions, statewide programs and Energy Commission staff to explore some of the most effective ways to collaborate as well as understand the needs attendees present from their own jurisdictions. The two panelists from the cities of Palo Alto and Chula Vista will be able to share actual and valuable lessons learned from their own experiences. Each of these cities is at a different point on the reach code development timeline and have quite different local variables; the insights they offer will be extremely valuable to participants from all regions of the state.

The session will begin with a short series of introductory comments from each panelist (approximately 5 minutes/panelist), followed by an open discussion using the Zoom chat capability to propose questions and managed by the session moderator. Panelists will use slides for presenting resources, posting prompt questions or sharing dense information sets. For instance, city representatives may share specific reach code resources their teams have used successfully, while the Energy Commission representative and the Statewide Reach Codes team may provide insight into specific statewide resources available at no cost.

Name: Chris Kuch
Title: Codes and Standards Engineer
Organization: Southern California Edison
Organization Type: Other Local Government, State Government/Agency, Electric Utility or CCA, Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Date: 06/18/2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Codes and Standards
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2020 CCEC Forum Resources
Learning Event

Making Equity Real in Climate Mapping Tools and Platforms

Mapping tools such as the CalEnviroScreen and the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) are used to allocate millions of dollars of climate funding. The Greenlining Institute has advocated that these tools are designed to identify communities that are most affected by climate change, economic hardships, and racism. This session provides a practical framework for technologists, government officials, and advocates to go beyond ideals and make equity real in every stage of designing, utilizing, and improving their tools and platforms. This session will touch on limitations with existing tools, such as race not being a factor or tools not including the cumulative impacts of multiple factors, and opportunities for local stakeholders to fill those holes in their planning particularly when it comes to the evaluation of equity goals and benefits.

This workshop draws from Greenlining’s decades of experience in climate justice and racial equity advocacy and technical assistance. We will provide examples from our experience working with communities and government agencies on local, state, and federal tools that are used to allocate funding to disadvantaged communities. We will then move into an interactive discussion where participants come up with strategies on how their jurisdictions use mapping tools and data to advance racial and environmental justice. Participants will have the chance to share their findings and strategies with the group.

Speakers

  • Sneha Ayyagari, The Greenlining Institute, Clean Energy Initiative Program Manager
  • Nicole Wong, The Greenlining Institute, Climate Resilience Program Manager
Name: Sneha Ayyagari
Title: Clean Energy Initiative Program Manager
Organization: The Greenlining Institute
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: 06/13/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Data Requests and Analysis, Environmental Justice
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
Learning Event

Making the Case for Energy Efficiency Retrofits in Multifamily Buildings

Serving Hard-to-Reach customers is both inherently difficult and vitally necessary as the climate crisis continues to disproportionally affect the most vulnerable populations. Energy efficiency upgrades are the most cost-effective way to reduce energy waste and GHGs in the built environment, while lowering energy bills and improving comfort and indoor air quality. This panel will explore the challenges of implementing deep energy efficiency retrofits in multifamily projects, specifically low-income or affordable housing, and the opportunities to provide EE benefits at scale in the sector. The discussion will touch on project scope, timeline, obstacles, layering of incentive programs, expected benefits, and lessons learned. Attendees will leave with an understanding of decisions and pain points that need to be addressed for multifamily property owners to implement EE upgrades, how to support them in overcoming those obstacles, and some of the ways to leverage incentives and grants to make a project financially feasible.

Speakers

  • Ellen Muscarella, Many Mansions, Vice President
  • Nick Dirr, Association for Energy Affordability, Senior Director, Programs
  • David Segan, Association for Energy Affordability, Inc., Senior Associate, Programs
  • Marisa Hanson-Lopez (Moderator), County of Santa Barbara, Energy Program Manager
Name: Marisa Hanson-Lopez
Title: Program Manager
Organization: 3C-REN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Central Coast
Date: September 22, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Session
Best Practices, Learning Event, Case Study

Mapping Energy Efficiency, Climate Planning, and Regional Partnerships

This webinar maps the energy efficiency measures, climate planning, and local partnerships that form the basis of energy efficiency implementation efforts in the San Diego region.

Local jurisdictions in the San Diego region have been supported in their climate planning and implementation efforts by a range of organizations including planning agencies, utilities, and nonprofits. Mapping regional planning and energy efficiency efforts provides a unique opportunity to identify gaps, opportunities for further programming, and to highlight areas of success for replication.

Panelists from the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) will outline the planning that happens at a regional level and the partnerships in place to inform and support local climate change and implementation plans. The San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative will introduce its new ESRI Story Map which provides a unique, interactive overview of climate planning and maps how individual jurisdictions are taking action on energy efficiency. The City of Carlsbad will then share their own experience developing their climate action plan and implementing energy efficiency ordinances.

It is through collaboration and sharing knowledge and best practices that organizations can work to bridge the gap between climate planning and energy efficiency implementation. Understanding key trends and the needs of individual communities can also help frame the discussion as we look to the next stage of supporting local communities in meeting their energy needs and adapting to climate change challenges.

Name: Chris Nanson
Title: Senior Account Executive
Organization: SDG&E
Organization Type: City or County, Governmental Association, Electric Utility or CCA, Nonprofit Organization, Academia and/or Research
Region: San Diego
Date: 11/04/2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Energy Efficiency, Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit
Additional notes of interest: 2020 CCEC Forum Resources
Case Study

Marin County Low Carbon Concrete Code

Marin County has adopted a Low Carbon Concrete Code that requires the use of low carbon concrete in all building projects in order to address embodied carbon.

Organization: Marin County
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Local Governments, Residential
Best Practices, Case Study

Maximizing Value of Resiliency Programs: Case Study & Resources

A diverse group of presenters will share a case study and best practices on leading-edge approaches to region-wide energy resiliency programs that maximize economic, climate, and reliability benefits.

Resiliency programs leveraging distributed energy resources (DERs) are increasingly recognized as a solution to address multiple goals, including: increased reliability for residents and businesses during Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events and/or natural disasters; increased reliability for the grid; reduction of GHG emissions; and the creation of economic value for both program participants and implementers.

COVID19 underscores the urgency and necessity of creating resilient systems. California could be in a position to experience PSPS events that push those who’ve been sheltering-in-place into crowded critical facilities, where COVID19 can more easily spread. This makes resiliency efforts even more necessary, especially for vulnerable populations

The presenting panel includes a Community Choice Aggregator (MCE), a policy-focused climate non-profit (The Climate Center), and a clean energy advisory firm dedicated to public agencies (TerraVerde Energy). The panel discussion will be moderated by the Manager of Commercial Solar Project Development for GRID Alternatives. GRID Alternatives is the largest nonprofit solar installer in the nation, and a leading voice driving results in low-income solar policy. Through its mission to make renewable energy technology and job training accessible to at-risk communities, GRID brings equitable solar solutions to families and non-profits throughout California, Colorado, the Mid-Atlantic region, and tribal communities nationwide.

MCE will share a case study demonstrating their best practices for most effectively targeting critical facilities, prioritizing high-needs residents, encouraging/incentivizing program participation, and leveraging funding from different sources to support program implementation.

TerraVerde will provide an overview of the opportunities, challenges, tools and best practices for intelligently designing and effectively deploying resiliency programs that result in the best environmental and economic outcomes. One of the tools that will be shared is the NavigaDER software, made publicly available with funding from the California Energy Commission. NavigaDER runs analyses on DER resiliency program scenarios, identifying optimal program participants for maximized economic value, environmental impact, and regional job creation.

The Climate Center will discuss the policy drivers accelerating the needs and opportunities for energy resilience and GHG reduction programs, including current relevant pending legislation and regulatory proceedings.

Name: Marie Gunter
Title: Commercial Solar Project Developer & Manager
Organization: GRID Alternatives, Bay Area
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA, Other Private Sector Business, Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Francisco Bay Area, Statewide
Date: 08/20/2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Resilience
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Local Governments, Residential
Additional notes of interest: 2020 CCEC Forum Resources
Case Study

MCE Customer Cost-Relief Program

On March 18, 2021, MCE’s Board of Directors approved up to $10 million as part of MCE’s 2021-2022 fiscal year budget to be used for cost-relief to MCE’s vulnerable residential and small business customers. This program launched in April, 2021 and offered bill credits to eligible customers, supporting up to 65,000 residential and 20,000 small business customers. With the continued COVID economy and other rising energy costs, there is an increased need to support our most vulnerable customers and contribute to local economic stability.

Name: Jenna Famular
Title: Marketing & Communications Manager
Organization: Marin Clean Energy
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Disadvantaged Communities, Residential
Case Study

MCE Energy Storage Program

Dispatchable, fossil-free customer-sited storage for back-up power and shifting/shaping load away from peaks

Name: Jamie Tuckey
Title: Director of Strategic Initiatives
Organization: Marin Clean Energy
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Resilience
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Residential
Case Study

MCEv

For income-qualified customers, MCE is offering an electric vehicle (EV) rebate as well as free customer support to help you take advantage of all the rebates and incentives available and lower the price of newly purchased and leased EVs. Depending on your eligibility, you could receive up to $14,500 in rebates for an EV – even more if you trade in an older vehicle – and up to $2,000 in rebates for EV charging.

Organization: Marin Clean Energy
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Learning Event

Meeting the Moment: Building Inclusive Energy Action Across the Central Coast

This session will follow the ever-changing story of an energy program that adapted its approach to serve the unique needs of communities and sectors across California’s Central Coast. CC-LEAP, a regional utility-funded efficiency program, has had to pivot, navigating a pandemic launch and understandably strained public agencies and businesses. The program approach quickly shifted from a large-scale energy projects approach to innovative program offerings that catered to small businesses and small local governments with limited budgets and staff capacity. Through community involvement and strategic partnerships, CC-LEAP has overcome regional energy efficiency challenges and driven equitable energy and climate action. In this session, our team, along with partners and member agencies, will share best practices and encourage discussions on customized energy services and strategic partnerships to meet regional needs and goals.

Speakers

  • Ivana Dorin, The Energy Coalition, Program Manager
  • Annie Secrest, County of San Luis Obispo, Energy and Water Coordinator
  • Lindsey Tillisch, Pacific Gas & Electric, Expert Program Manager
  • Rachel Pennington, The Energy Coalition, Acting Assistant Director of Energy Services
Name: Ivana Dorin
Title: Program Manager
Organization: The Energy Coalition
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Greater Los Angeles, Central Coast
Date: 06/13/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
Case Study

Microgrid Demonstration Project at City of Fremont

Three City of Fremont Fire Stations are benefitting from a microgrid energy demonstration project that pairs solar photovoltaic (PV) carports with large battery systems to allow the facilities to generate and store their own energy, acting like mini power plants. The project is a public-private partnership between the City of Fremont, the Fremont-based clean technology firm Gridscape Solutions (Gridscape), and the California Energy Commission (CEC). The goal of the demonstration project is to show how such microgrid energy systems can provide added resiliency to critical public facilities by “islanding” (or operating separately) from the grid in the case of an emergency; the added benefits are that the City will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions while saving significantly on utilities through solar generation and battery storage instead of drawing power from the electric grid during peak usage times. In addition, the project supports local cleantech entrepreneurship and has served as an important economic development tool.

Organization: City of Fremont
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Resilience
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

Microgrid Incentive Program

Pacific Gas & Electric Company, San Diego Gas & Electric Company, and Southern California Edison Company will hold a series of stakeholder workshops during Summer 2021 to help shape the development of a Microgrid Incentive Program (MIP) approved earlier this year by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The program is intended to fund clean energy microgrids to support the critical needs of vulnerable populations impacted by grid outages.

Organization: Pacific Gas & Electric
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities

Morning Plenary I: Energy Efficiency Policies, Planning, and Funding for Climate Vulnerable Communities

This session will evaluate how energy efficiency investments currently target and benefit disadvantaged (DAC) and low-income communities. The speakers will discuss how that definition is broadening to include an understanding of climate vulnerability, incorporating climate impacts and adaptation, and how to target current and future investments based on this evolving definition. The session will cover the importance of a common framework, challenges and opportunities in this process, metrics to measure progress, and how various stakeholders including local governments, utilities, and community-based organizations are working toward a shared goal of climate resilience.

Speakers:

  • Leah Fisher, California Strategic Growth Council
  • Nuin-Tara Key, California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research
  • Jodi Pincus, Rising Sun Center for Opportunity
  • David Jacot, Los Angeles Department of Water & Power
  • Amee Raval, Asian Pacific Environmental Network
Name: Leah Fisher
Organization: California Strategic Growth Council
Organization Type: Other Local Government, State Government/Agency, Nonprofit Organization
Date: 06/26/2019
Published in 2019
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Environmental Justice
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2019 SEEC Forum Resources
Learning Event

Morning Plenary II: The Future Decarbonization of California’s Energy

Reducing emissions from non-renewable fossil fuels from buildings is a key strategy for ensuring California meets its aggressive climate goals. This session will explore IOUs’ visions for the path forward for decarbonizing energy in support of these statewide goals.

Speakers:

  • Leif Christiansen, EE Coordinator
  • Joshua Torres, Southern California Edison
  • Ken Chawkins, Southern California Gas Company
Name: Ken Chawkins
Title: Business Policy Manager
Organization: Southern California Gas Company
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA
Region: Greater Los Angeles, Inland Empire, San Diego
Date: 06/27/2019
Published in 2019
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, GHG Reduction
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2019 SEEC Forum Resources
Learning Event

Morning Plenary: Collaborating with Tribes

The geopolitical region that we now know as California has for millennia been home to more than 100 distinct Native American Tribes. Beginning with the arrival of Spanish missionaries and soldiers in San Diego in 1769, California Tribes have endured the loss of their lands, resources, and people to the forces of colonialism. Despite an array of injustices and disadvantages, California’s indigenous peoples continue to demonstrate unparalleled resilience and stewardship of the environment. Today, many local governments share boundaries with California Tribes. They also govern land that is considered Tribal ancestral lands and that continues to be home to indigenous people and culturally-important species and resources. Collaboration between Tribal and non-tribal communities is not always easy, but it can produce powerful results. This session will showcase some of the nation-leading climate and energy work being done by Tribes and their partners in the San Diego area. Speakers will highlight Tribes’ unique history, perspective, knowledge, and legal authority, all of which make them vital leaders, teachers, and partners in regional climate and energy efforts. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of Tribal perspectives on a host of relevant issues including ways to respectfully and effectively engage and collaborate with Tribes.

Speakers

  • Joshua Simmons, Prosper Sustainably, President and Founder, Principal Consultant
  • Shasta Gaughen (she/her), Pala Band of Mission Indians, Environmental Director/THPO
  • Michael Connolly, Campo Kumeyaay Nation, Resource Economist/Kumeyaay Historian
  • Angie Hacker (Moderator), CCEC, Statewide Best Practices Coordinator
Organization: California Climate and Energy Collaborative
Organization Type: Tribal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Date: September 22, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Tribal Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Session
Case Study

Multi-sector Partnership In Souther Bay Area Finance Improvements to Water Treatment Station

A 2015 multi-sector partnership between the City of Sunnyvale, Apple, Cal-Water, California Department of Water Resources, and Santa Clara Valley Water District culminated in a $17.5 million capital project that financed improvements at the water treatment station for recycled and reclaimed water. This 10-year project ensures that the water supply for Cupertino and surrounding areas will continue to meet the freshwater needs of the community.

Organization: Santa Clara Valley Water District
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding, Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Local Governments
Learning Event

Multifamily Zero Carbon Action Plan – carbon neutral, resilient, affordable

Name: Bianca Hutner
Organization: BluePoint Planning
Organization Type: State Government/Agency, Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Date: September 22, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Poster
Learning Event

Navigating Parallel Universes: Why Translation Alone Isn’t Enough

How do you conduct effective outreach to communities where English is a second language? Engaging thoughtfully with these communities requires an understanding of their unique institutions, norms, and information networks, which is often not represented in traditional communication resources. Diving in deeper, the way people receive information, who they trust, and how they take action can vary widely even within sub-groups of populations that speak the same language.

In this session, BayREN will share insights on how to effectively engage with communities where English is a second language. We will discuss our successes, failures, and lessons learned in our experiences working with a range of communities and discuss how our process entails collaboration with our own mothers to internationally recognized celebrities.

Speakers

  • Jennifer West, Program Manager, StopWaste
  • Jeffery Liang, BayREN, Single Family Program Manager
  • Yeymi Rivas Reyes, BayREN, Communications Coordinator
  • Tonya Veitch, County of Santa Clara, Senior Sustainability Analyst
Name: Jennifer West
Title: Program Manager
Organization: StopWaste
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Date: 06/14/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Outreach and Engagement
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
Best Practices

New York Start-up Leverages Partnership to fund Microgrid Network

A New York start-up LO3 Energy leveraged group purchasing to fund the Brooklyn Microgrid network, which allows individuals to buy and sell renewable energy in a peer-to-peer network. This both increased community resilience to frequent power outages and supports local economic development while reducing the community’s carbon footprint.

Organization: LO3
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Out of State
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources, Financing/Funding, Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Residential
Best Practices, Case Study

Next Generation Building Decarbonization: Policy Evolution in California & Washington

This Pacific Coast panel will discuss the latest in decarbonization policy in Brisbane, San Francisco and the State of Washington. From small cities like Brisbane, to dense urbanized cities like San Francisco, to the Evergreen State of Washington, we will discuss how to address any scale of policy creation to meet big bold climate goals. With less than 5,000 residents, the City of Brisbane is an unlikely hero in California’s journey to decarbonization, but in 2019 it passed the most comprehensive benchmarking and auditing ordinance in the country. San Francisco has recently launched an innovative approach, helping commercial asset managers plan for decarbonization, to better connect their local ordinance to the city’s Climate Action Plan. Lastly, the State of Washington will discuss their Clean Building Act, which aims to lower costs and pollution from fossil fuel consumption in existing buildings through a performance standard and incentive program.

Name: Marc Costa
Title: Director of Policy & Planning
Organization: The Energy Coalition
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Francisco Bay Area, Out of State
Date: 08/18/2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2021 CCEC Forum Resources
Case Study

Northern California County Battery Energy Storage System

TerraVerde recently celebrated the completion of a solar and battery project that they developed on behalf of a Northern California County that is projected to yield $2.3 million in savings over the 25-year term of the Power Purchase Agreement. Battery Energy Storage Systems are a powerful resource for generating financial benefits through cost savings by reducing demand and shifting load to less expensive hours, which generate revenue via participating. A 25 year term will deliver 2.3 million in value to the County. Additionally, these systems were deployed on site with no capital cost to county through the use of third-party financing. The project is expected to generate 4.5 millions in terms of bill savings in the next 25 years.

Name: David Burdick
Title: Executive Vice President
Organization: TerraVerde Energy
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources, Financing/Funding, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments

Not Your Grandma’s Regulatory Update

Many public agencies have climate action plans (CAP) with ambitious climate and energy goals, targets and actions. These laudable strategies will only be realized if local government action is adequately funded, supporting local capacity to implement energy projects and programs. Some CAP actions are best pursued as part of Californiaʼs energy policy goals, and as a result necessitate effective collaboration with investor owned utilities (IOUs); Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Diego Gas and Electric Company, and Southern California Edison. A CAPʼs feasibility and effectiveness can be significantly impacted by the Stateʼs regulatory agencies, which can have an outsized influence in implementing legislative policies.

In 2020, the CPUC will engage on issues that are core to local governmentsʼ ability to deliver on their climate action and adaptation plans, including:

  • Wildfire mitigation
  • Public Safety Power Shutoffs
  • Microgrids
  • Distributed Energy Resource Planning
  • Transportation Electrification
  • Energy Efficiency and Electrification
  • Utility Customer Rates

The Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition (LGSEC) provides a robust expert voice for its 40 member organizations on crucial energy policy matters. No other group that represents local governments has a regular presence at the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Energy Commission and the California Air Resources Board.

This webinar will provide an overview of the regulatory process and current issues that directly impact local governments. The speakers will highlight the challenges associated and opportunities local governments have to influence important policies that could have wide ranging impacts on their ability to make good on their climate action plans.

Name: Garrett Wong
Title: Climate Program Manager
Organization: County of Santa Barbara
Organization Type: City or County, Other Local Government, Governmental Association, Electric Utility or CCA
Date: 09/09/2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2020 CCEC Forum Resources
Technical Assistance Provider

Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy: DOE Municipal Solid-State Street Lighting Consortium

An Organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: In 2010, DOE created the Municipal Solid-State Street Lighting Consortium (MSSLC) with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, to help cities make informed decisions on the purchase of LED street lighting and maximize the energy savings. The goal was to build a repository of valuable field experience and data to accelerate the learning curve for buying and implementing high-quality, energy-efficient LED lighting.. The elegibility restrictions are the following: None.

Organization: Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy: DOE Municipal Solid-State Street Lighting Consortium
Organization Type: Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Technical Assistance Provider

Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy: Integrated Lighting Campaign

An Organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: The Integrated Lighting Campaign (ILC) is a program designed to help facility owners and managers take advantage of savings opportunities and benefits of integrating lighting systems with other building and business systems in their facilities.. The elegibility restrictions are the following: None.

Organization: Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy: Integrated Lighting Campaign
Organization Type: Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Case Study

Offshore Wind Energy in Humboldt County

Humboldt County has been featured in local, national, and international news since 2018 as a potentially ideal location for offshore wind energy generation. RCEA, tasked with developing local renewable resources and energy-related economic advancement, has taken the lead in coordinating the extensive planning and research process required for what could be California’s first floating offshore wind project. On May 25, 2021 the Biden-Harris Administration announced an agreement to advance areas for offshore wind off the northern (Humboldt County) and central coasts of California.

Name: Stephen Kullmann
Title: Director - Demand Side Management
Organization: Redwood Coast Energy Authority
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA
Region: North Coast
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Commercial
Case Study

One Mile One Charger Program – City of Torrance

The One Mile, One Charger Program aims to improve air quality and facilitate public infrastructure to support residents, employees, and visitors to never be more than one (1) mile away from a publicly accessible EV Charger. The City of Torrance used GIS to map where EV charging stations should be located to ensure the project goals were met after implementation. Additionally, they consulted the public by doing outreach to understand EV charger locations needs. During Phase I of implementation the City successfully pursued grant funding from Mobile Source Reduction Committee (MSRC) and the California Energy Commission (CEC) to install a total of 14 Level II and 6 DC Fast Stations. And most recently through Phase II, the City secured grant funding from Mobile Source Reduction Committee (MSRC) to expand electric vehicle infrastructure to fleet applications.

Name: Carlos Huizar
Title: Planning Associate
Organization: City of Torrance
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Best Practices, Learning Event, Case Study

One Vision, Many Policy Paths to Local Decarbonization

Local governments and regional organizations are seeking to encourage building decarbonization through a range of innovative policies. Electrification-focused action plans, reach codes, rebates, incentives, and other strategies are critical to supporting cities progress. This webinar will feature diverse local experts—each with a unique perspective on developing, adopting, and implementing effective local policies in California communities.

Panelists will share details on the creative policy strategies each has considered and/or implemented through a lively exchange. They will explore the benefits, challenges, similarities, and differences between the policies. They will also explore partnerships and community engagement has been central to successful adoption. This session will hold important lessons learned and practical applications for other jurisdictions considering similar decarbonization policies.

Name: Farhad Farahmand
Title: Senior Project Manager
Organization: TRC
Organization Type: City or County, Electric Utility or CCA, Other Private Sector Business, Nonprofit Organization
Region: Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area, Statewide
Date: 11/12/2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2020 CCEC Forum Resources
Case Study

Ontario Together: People, Places, Prosperity

People, Places, Prosperity is a community-driven movement to achieve measurable and sustainable neighborhood transformation through innovative implementation of GHG reduction projects. Project types include: Affordable Housing & Sustainable Communities Program, Low Carbon Transit Operations, Urban Community Forestry, Low-Income Weatherization Program, Green/Food Waste Diversion Program, Active Transportation Program, High Quality Job Creation & Workforce Program, and Health & Wellbeing Program.

Name: Peter Pallesen
Title: Senior Project Coordinator
Organization: City of Ontario
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Inland Empire
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Learning Event

Opening Plenary: State of Climate and Energy in California in 2022

The opening plenary will provide attendees with an overview of the State of Climate and Energy in California in 2022. This plenary aims to set the stage for this year’s theme by reviewing key policies, trends, and opportunities for Accelerating Climate Action and Advancing Justice, with particular attention to providing timely and relevant updates for local governments. Our panel of State and local leaders will reflect on statewide progress towards key climate goals, challenges to overcome, and emerging opportunities for a carbon-free, climate-resilient future by balancing speed and justice. 

Speakers

  • Angie Hacker(Moderator), CCEC, Statewide Best Practices Coordinator
  • David Hochschild (he/him/his), Chair, California Energy Commission
  • Genevieve Shiroma (she/her), California Public Utilities Commission, Commissioner
  • Samuel Assefa (He/Him/His), Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR), Director
  • Lynn von Koch-Liebert (she/her), California Strategic Growth Council (SGC), Executive Director
Organization: California Climate and Energy Collaborative
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Date: September 21, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Session
Learning Event

Organize, Fund, Act – Sonoma County Government Collaboration for Climate Solutions

In 2001, local climate activists launched a campaign to mobilize Sonoma County governments to fight climate change. This initiative created an innovative partnership that produced countywide greenhouse gas inventories, climate targets, and climate action plans; started a local community choice energy utility; and, in 2009, founded the Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority (RCPA). RCPA facilitates collaboration among Sonoma County’s local governments, helps set goals, pools resources, formalizes partnerships, and works across policy areas to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build climate resiliency. RCPA became California’s first Climate Resilience District with the passage of SB 852 in 2022. The purpose of the session is to share Sonoma County’s successful model of local government collaboration on climate, learn about RCPA’s work to develop new sources of local funding for climate action centered in environmental justice, and explore how collaborative models like RCPA’s could help other regions achieve their climate goals.

Speakers

  • Tanya Narath, Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority, Director of Climate Programs
  • Suzanne Smith, Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority, Executive Director
  • Tasha Wright, Santa Rosa Water, Energy and Sustainability Coordinator
  • Eris Weaver, Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, Executive Director
Name: Tanya Narath
Title: Director of Climate Programs
Organization: Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Date: 06/14/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
Case Study

Palo Alto Leads on Energy Efficiency Codes, Proposes City Council Adoption of 2016 Reach Codes

City of Palo Alto shared its findings on adoption of reach code to require building energy efficiencies 10% above the 2016 Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Part 6).

Excerpts from the City’s report to City Council are available below – these excerpts provide a great overview of how reach codes work and are filed in California, as well as how Palo Alto came to the recommendations of the proposed reach code. For the full update from Palo Alto, and the findings of their cost effectiveness test (conducted by TRC Solutions), click here.

Organization: City of Palo Alto
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2016
Topic Areas: Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

Pecan Street Project, Austin TX

The Pecan Street Project (PSP) in Austin utilized smart metering for energy and water systems in 1,000 residences and 75 businesses. A 2015 review confirmed that PSP provided significant energy and water savings, and increased grid resiliency.

Organization: Pecan Street Project
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Out of State
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Energy Resilience
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Residential
Learning Event

Performance Contracting

Maria Fields of JouleSmart, discusses the applicability of performance contracting issues faced by California municipalities including:

  • Changing California energy policy
  • The performance contracting model
  • How the model can solve problems and what to look for
  • Migration of California incentives towards Pay-for-Performance in 2018 and beyond
Name: Maria Fields
Organization: JouleSmart
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Date: March 2018
Published in 2018
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Best Practices

Planning for Energy Reliability Solutions That Do More Than Keep the Lights On

Power disruptions and changing energy usage patterns in the past several years have underscored the urgent need for reliable energy. More than ever, local, State and federal governments are looking for the best ways to actualize commitments to economic recovery in ways that also advance climate action, energy assurance, and environmental justice. Through thoughtful load, feasibility, and financial analysis, local governments can strategically implement solutions like solar microgrids, battery backup, and coordination with utility providers to maintain critical public facilities and services. Plans can also identify programs and policies to encourage private property owners to implement these solutions and target attention where vulnerable populations may be being left behind. This session will highlight the latest energy reliability news, planning case studies, and financing best practices from communities across California to help local governments as they consider their own energy reliability or microgrid initiatives.

Name: Peter Asmus
Title: Research Director
Organization: Navigant
Organization Type: City or County, Other Private Sector Business, Nonprofit Organization
Region: Central Coast, Statewide
Date: 08/17/2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Resilience
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2021 CCEC Forum Resources
Best Practices

Planning for Equitable Existing Building Electrification

While many cities have begun the transition to decarbonize new construction through electrification ordinances, the conversion of existing buildings from mixed fuel to all-electric must consider the implications for low-income, disadvantaged, and historically under-invested communities. This session presents a facilitated discussion with the parties involved in the recently completed City of Berkeley Existing Building Electrification Strategy, which serves as a guide to an equitable transition of existing buildings from fossil fuel reliance to primarily renewable electricity by identifying the policy, funding, and regulatory processes which must be addressed. The City of Berkeley strategy is a first of its kind document which combines a parcel level cost and energy assessment of electrification options, funding mechanisms for the electric building transition, and a thorough evaluation of the equity impacts on the community. To develop the strategy, the project team conducted extensive and targeted outreach to Berkeley’s marginalized communities and received substantial feedback that guided the goals, timeline, and associated actions. The discussion panel will address topics relevant to their expertise and development of the strategy, including the detailed analysis of existing residential buildings, extensive community engagement, equity considerations, regulatory constraints, and electrification policy development.

Name: Reema Shakra
Title: Senior Planner
Organization: Rincon Consultants, Inc.
Organization Type: City or County, Other Private Sector Business, Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Francisco Bay Area, Statewide
Date: 08/10/2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2021 CCEC Forum Resources
Case Study

Plaza Point Zero-Net Energy Senior Affordable Housing Project- Arcata, CA

Plaza Point is a three-story, mixed-use development that provides an attractive and dignified living opportunity for seniors. It is designed to create a welcoming and vibrant community where neighborhood charm, urban connections, and sustainability are celebrated. As well, there are market-rate commercial spaces on the first floor. The project will achieve multiple green building certifications, including LEED for Homes.

Organization: Danco Group
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: North Coast
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Residential
Learning Event

Policymakers Session: Rebounding Resiliently

The California Climate & Energy Collaborative (CCEC) hosted an exclusive virtual session for California policymakers and elected officials on key energy and climate priorities as a part of the 12th Annual CCEC Forum, on Thursday, September 30th, 2021. Policymakers across California face difficult decisions about how to best rebound from the hardships of 2020 and 2021 in ways that support their broader energy, climate, and equity goals. This session provided elected officials the opportunity to hear relevant policy updates from featured experts who also facilitated deeper discussions through subsequent breakout sessions. Breakout sessions allowed attendees to ask questions directly to featured experts and forge connections with other jurisdictions by exchanging knowledge and best practices with fellow local policymakers. Featured speakers and breakout room facilitators included Erik de Kok, Deputy Director at California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, Alana Mathews, Director of Policy Resources and Training at Prosecutors Alliance of California

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: September 2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Best Practices

Port of San Diego’s Sustainable Incentives Best Practices Assessment

The Center for Sustainable Energy has prepared a Sustainable Incentives Best Practices Assessment for the Port of San Diego, released April 2016. This is a great resource for local governments considering green leases and landlord-tenant energy efficiency solutions. The full Port Best Practices report is available here.

Organization: Center for Sustainable Energy
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Diego
Published in 2016
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

Portland Clean Energy Fund

The Portland Clean Energy Fund was created and led by communities on the frontlines of climate change building over the course of many years. Nonprofits, alone or in partnership with for-profit companies, schools and/or government agencies, can apply for grants from the $44 to $61 million revenue to weatherize homes, install solar and other renewable energy projects, provide job and contractor training, expand local food production, and build green infrastructure in Portland. The revenue is raised by a 1% business license surcharge on the Portland revenue generated by retail corporations with over $1 billion in annual revenue and at least $500,000 in Portland revenue.

Organization: Portland Clean Energy Fund
Organization Type: Other
Region: Out of State
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit
Best Practices

Preparing Workers to Build Back Cleaner

As California recovers from the pandemic and prepares for forthcoming effects from the climate crisis, local clean energy workforce development programs will play an essential role in sustainable recovery efforts aimed at “building back better.” Local agencies help people obtain skills and good jobs and, therefore, can be strategic about increasing the number of skilled workers needed to achieve a vision for efficient, decarbonized, and resilient buildings in the future. This session features speakers from local and regional workforce development programs that demonstrate innovative approaches to putting people to work in the energy and building trades. Join us to learn what these programs are doing to boost skills and job opportunities, how they were developed, what lessons they’ve learned, and what opportunities and challenges lie ahead.

Name: Jordan Garbayo
Title: Program Manager
Organization: Tri-County Regional Energy Network
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA, Nonprofit Organization
Region: Greater Los Angeles, Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Workforce Development
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2021 CCEC Forum Resources
Learning Event

Promotoras as Partners in Advancing Clean Energy in Disadvantaged Communities

Creating a more equitable clean energy future takes time and care. Programs that address barriers to participation such as trust, access, language, and transportation will achieve greater success than those that rely simply on incentives.  This session looks at how the promotora de salud outreach model can advance clean energy and environmental equity goals in low-income communities. The model, originally developed in Mexico, is already successfully used by healthcare clinics across the U.S. Promotoras are powerful partners because they speak the same language, share a common culture, and regularly interact with people. This moderated panel will describe how promotoras have been key in several healthcare initiatives and then discuss the decarbonization efforts that can benefit from this partnership. The session’s purpose is to demonstrate that by working with promotoras, local governments have an untapped local resource to help realize the shared vision of a vibrant, healthy and equitable community.

Speakers

  • Stephanie Lemus (she/her/hers), Clinica Romero, Director, Public Policy & Community Affairs
  • Mabell Garcia Paine, Viridis Consulting LLC, President
  • Nancy Barba (she/her) (Moderator), Frontier Energy, Director
  • Susana Moncada (She/Her/Hers/Ella), Clinica Romero, Promotora/Community Health Worker
Name: Mabell Garcia Paine
Title: President
Organization: Viridis Consulting
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business, Nonprofit Organization
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Date: September 21, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Outreach and Engagement, Public Health, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Session
Learning Event

Public/Private Partnerships Promoting Energy Efficiency: Green Business Programs and Incentives

California provides the California Green Business Network with funding for Cities and Counties to start Green Business Programs. A Green Business Program can be a powerful incentive for businesses to go beyond compliance. The best part is the process is fully fleshed out in an easy to use framework complete with training. Come to this session to learn what a successful Green Business Program looks like. Hear from one of our newest programs in Long Beach. In addition, learn how EnergyUpgrade California, CCAs and the IOUs partner with Green Business Programs to promote energy efficiency at small businesses.

Speakers:

  • Josephine Fleming, California Green Business Network
  • Courtney Chatterson, City of Long Beach
  • Laura Rosenthal, Energy Upgrade California
  • Shawn Orgel-Olson, California Green Business Network
Name: Josephine Fleming
Organization: California Green Business Network
Organization Type: City or County, State Government/Agency, Business or Trade Association
Region: Greater Los Angeles, Statewide
Date: 06/26/2019
Published in 2019
Topic Areas: Economic Development, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2019 SEEC Forum Resources
Learning Event

Putting “Action” into your Climate Action Plan: Energy Master Planning

It can be a significant challenge to translate into action the ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals of local government agencies’ Climate Action Plans. This session will demonstrate how Energy Master Planning (a cost-effective, strategic approach) addresses this implementation gap. Energy Master Planning is a process where emissions reduction goals are mapped onto clear and actionable implementation plans. It provides a roadmap for identifying, planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating the impacts of high value projects. This interactive session will explore how Energy Master Planning optimizes existing assets, identifies cost-effective energy generation opportunities, generates predictable savings over time, and increases resiliency.

Speakers:

  • Rick Brown, TerraVerde Energy
  • Ken Loman, City of Woodland
  • Karly Zimmerman Fogg, TerraVerde Energy
  • Brian Barnacle, Energy Solutions
Name: Rick Brown
Title: Business Development Manager
Organization: TerraVerde Energy
Organization Type: City or County, Business or Trade Association
Region: Sacramento Valley, Statewide
Date: 06/26/2019
Published in 2019
Topic Areas: Climate Planning
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2019 SEEC Forum Resources
Learning Event

Reach Codes Newcomers Webinar Recordings

A collaborative effort by the Statewide Reach Codes ProgramBayREN, and the California Climate and Energy Collaborative (CCEC), this webinar series helps reach code newcomers (and anyone who wants to learn more about reach codes) gain a greater understanding of the options, resources and timeframes involved. Sessions are timed for jurisdiction staff who are exploring reach code adoption in alignment with the new statewide 2022 Building Energy Code, effective January 1, 2023.

Organization: Statewide Reach Codes Program, BayREN, and the California Climate and Energy Collaborative (CCEC)
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: September 27, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Codes and Standards
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Reports

Recovery and Resilience Takes a Village (Part 1) – Exploring Collaboration in Energy Resilience Projects

Just when we dared to hope we were out of the woods and onto recovery, variants, wildfires, and storms have reminded us that we’ll be facing ongoing “outbreaks” and the “long haul effects” – of both the pandemic and the climate crisis – for years to come. This paper is the first of a 3-part series exploring timely examples of how local governments can achieve energy and climate goals by forming or supporting collaborations across agencies, sectors, and jurisdictional boundaries. The three parts do so by evaluating three types of local energy and climate initiatives, all of which typically demand cross- agency and cross- sector collaboration.

Name: Angie Hacker, Gabriela Yamure
Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: January 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Energy Resilience, Partnerships
Additional notes of interest: CCEC Original Article
Reports

Recovery and Resilience Takes a Village (Part 2) – Exploring Collaboration in Electrification Planning

In January, we released the first article in a 3-part series that explores how collaborations across agencies, sectors, and jurisdictional boundaries can help local governments achieve their energy and climate goals. And as disruptions from the pandemic, the economy, and the climate continue to make resilience more necessary — and more challenging — it’s more important than ever for local governments and their partners to work together strategically. So in this second article, we evaluate another type of initiative that benefits from cross-agency and cross-sector collaboration: electrification. 

Name: Angie Hacker, John Vandervort
Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: April 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: CCEC Original Article
Case Study

Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid

Redwood Coast Energy Authority is partnering with the Schatz Energy Research Center (SERC) at Humboldt State University, PG&E, and the County of Humboldt to build a 7-acre, 2.25 MW solar array and battery energy storage system at the California Redwood Coast – Humboldt County Airport (ACV). The County will house the airport microgrid, RCEA will own and operate the solar and battery systems, PG&E will operate the microgrid circuit, and SERC will be the prime contractor responsible for the project design and technology integration.

Name: David Erne
Title: Supervisor
Organization: California Energy Commission
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Phone: 916-327-1399
Region: North Coast
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Resilience, Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Commercial
Guide

Redwood Energy’s Pocket Guide to All-Electric Commerical Retrofits

Electricity is already used for 60% of space and water heating in American commercial buildings, and commercial powerhouses like Marriott, McDonalds, Microsoft or the entirety of Manhattan, commercial powerhouses are rapidly electrifying their buildings and services. Sometimes this is the result of public policy—in 2016 the city of Zurich, Switzerland started shutting off gas to the commercial and multifamily districts, and New York City has placed air pollution limits on buildings that will trigger electrification starting in 2024.3 But most electrification has been the result of good business practices—electrification of space heating, boilers and services provides access to the best technology and lowers operating costs.

Organization: Redwood Energy
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: North Coast
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization
Sectors Targeted: Commercial
Case Study

Redwood Energy: Collection of Case Studies

The Redwood Energy Youtube channel hosts dozens of videos showcasing a variety of case studies. These case studies cover the topics of building decarbonization and electrification, equitable advancement of energy efficiency, financing, and much more.

Organization: Redwood Valley
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: North Coast
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Best Practices

Regional Decarbonization through Reach Codes

Reducing natural gas usage by analyzing various building types and establishing reach codes across the region. Awareness, availability, assuredness, and affordability.

Name: John Supp
Title: Account Services Manager
Organization: Silicon Valley Clean Energy
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards, Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Case Study

Regional Housing Trust in the San Gabriel Valley

The San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust is a joint powers authority created in February 2020 to fund and finance the planning and construction of homeless housing, and extremely low, very low, and low-income housing projects. They work to reduce displacement and reduce energy use by creating affordable housing. The trust finances new development to green standards and rehab existing buildings and bring them up to energy efficiency standards.

Name: Brielle Acevedo
Title: Regional Housing Trust Administrator
Organization: San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust
Organization Type: Other
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Residential
Learning Event

Regional Leadership to Support Local Action in Disadvantaged Communities

Faced with limited budgets and a lack of capacity, the small cities in the Gateway Cities region found themselves unable to develop the plans, inventories and projects needed to compete for valuable state Cap & Trade Funding. To remedy this, the Council of Governments led a multi-partner effort to create a Regional Climate Action Framework that now is helping cities advance their goals for economic development, public health, air quality, climate resiliency, equity, public engagement and job creation while planning for the impacts of climate change. In this session, you will get a preview of the innovative framework, learn about the resources and partners that led to this project and hear how it is helping local governments compete for state funding.

Speakers:

  • Karalee Browne, Institute for Local Government
  • Nancy Pfeffer, Gateway Cities Council of Governments
  • Brian Schuster, Environmental Science Associates
Name: Karalee Browne
Organization: Institute for Local Government
Organization Type: Governmental Association, Nonprofit Organization
Region: Greater Los Angeles, Statewide
Date: 06/26/2019
Published in 2019
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Best Practices

Regional Partnerships

Regional partnerships provide energy engineering, regional climate action, and climate program support. It takes a village to move the needle and evolve work to support the region. Collaboratives provide an umbrella for everyone to come together to progress forward and explore activities, funding, and innovative techniques that LGs aren’t in the position to do alone. Facilitating and sustaining relationships can go a long way.

Name: Anna Lowe
Title: Senior Regional Planner
Organization: SANDAG
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: San Diego
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event

RENs: Lessons Learned and the Future of Energy Efficiency

Join to hear updates on the REN vision, programs, lessons learned, and case studies on how the RENs have been leveraged to meet community needs and addressing climate change. We will share how we address gaps in the energy efficiency marketplace and serve residential, business, and public customers that have been traditionally underserved. We will discuss new RENs, and enhancements RENs offer Local Government Programs and Community Choice Aggregators. Also learn how local governments can best diversify and partner with other EE implementers and climate change stakeholders to provide tangible impacts and to thrive in the midst of funding uncertainty.

Speakers:

  • Laurel Rothschild, The Energy Coalition
  • Jenny Berg, Association of Bay Area Governments/Metropolitan Transportation Commission
  • Lujuana Medina, County of Los Angeles
  • Alejandra Tellez, County of Ventura
Name: Laurel Rothschild
Organization: The Energy Coalition
Organization Type: Governmental Association, Electric Utility or CCA, Nonprofit Organization
Region: Greater Los Angeles, Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area, Statewide
Date: 06/26/2019
Published in 2019
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Environmental Justice, Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments, Residential
Additional notes of interest: 2019 SEEC Forum Resources
Tool

REopt Lite Modeling Tool

NREL’s REopt Lite web tool helps commercial building managers evaluate the economic viability of grid-connected photovoltaics (PV), wind, and battery storage at a site.

Organization: U.S. Department of Energy
Organization Type: Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources
Sectors Targeted: Commercial
Case Study

Residential EV Charging Incentive Program

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) and the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) has established a residential Electric Vehicle (EV) charging incentive program to offset Level 2 (240v) EV charger hardware costs. This program will be available to residents within the South Coast AQMD’s four-county jurisdiction. The program will provide an incentive to buy-down the cost of residential chargers, which typically range from $400-$800. The program is administered on a first-come, first-served basis and provides up to a $250 rebate or the cost paid for the charger, whichever is lower.

Organization: South Coast Air Quality Management District
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Best Practices

Resilience Hubs, Spaces and Blocks

Resilience Hubs, Spaces and Blocks are community-driven gathering places which are demonstrations for climate solutions, and serve to coordinate & exchange communication, distribute resources, and support community programming during emergencies and year-round. The Northern California Resilience Network, the cities of San Leandro and Oakland and the Disability Justice Culture Club based in Oakland are all working to help build more resilient neighborhoods and robust resilience hubs. Part of this effort was a Resilience Hubs Leadership training held between February and September 2021.

Name: Susan Silber
Title: Executive Director
Organization: NorCal Resilience Network
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: North Coast, Sacramento Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin Valley
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Case Study

Resilience Hubs: Equitable Climate Solutions

Resilience hubs are some of the most promising and equitable approaches to scaling up local resilience. Existing community-serving facilities can become resilience hubs by increasing their adaptive capacity and augmenting their building systems. Hubs center equity by creating power-building opportunities and relying on community leadership and expertise in decision-making processes. A group of Bay Area agencies collaborated with NorCal Resilience Network to implement a pilot leadership training series in 2021 to introduce the resilience hubs framework. The development of a program curriculum with local speakers allowed for partnership building, collaboration with existing sites, and responsiveness to local needs. Overall, the Resilience Hub training engaged with over 275 community participants from 50 sites. This fishbowl discussion will introduce resilience hubs as an important model for agencies collaborating with community organizations and equitable preparation for climate disruptions, and cover the program overview, impacts at hub sites, and lessons learned from agencies involved.

Name: Shayna Hirshfield-Gold
Title: Climate Coordinator
Organization: City of Oakland
Organization Type: City or County, Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Date: 08/04/2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Outreach and Engagement
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2021 CCEC Forum Resources
Learning Event, Tool

Resources for Continuing Climate Action

Acting on Climate Change continues to be a pressing issue for many California communities. As local governments shift resources to manage ever changing conditions, they are facing unprecedented resource and capacity restraints. It is imperative that public agencies continue to work together with their community to sustain a livable and equitable environment. Community-driven Climate Action Plans continue to be staples in addressing the climate crisis through reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, limiting vulnerabilities and working to reverse racial and social inequalities.

ICLEI USA works with local governments across the US, providing technical assistance and connecting peers on greenhouse gas inventorying, climate action planning, adaptation and equity. The ClearPath climate action planning software is one of ICLEI USA’s flagship resources with four main modules to aid communities through the climate action planning process. These modules include the Inventory, Forecast, Planning and Monitoring modules. The Inventory module allows communities to conduct greenhouse gas inventories for multiple years, while the Forecast, Planning and Monitoring modules aid climate action planning and implementation. In this session, ICLEI USA will discuss the ClearPath tool and how to use each module to continue the Climate Action Planning process. We will be joined by Google’s Environmental Insights Explorer team to discuss a new data source for greenhouse gas inventorying for California communities. EIE provides proprietary Google data for public benefit in an effort to lighten the burden of data collection associated with developing GHG inventories and local sustainability policy.

Name: Calyn Hart
Title: SEEC Program Officer
Organization: ICLEI USA
Organization Type: Governmental Association, Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Date: 08/04/2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Climate Planning
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2020 CCEC Forum Resources
Learning Event

Revolving Funds

Dr. Tiffany Wise-West from Ecoshift Consulting provides best practices for establishing a carbon fund in your local jurisdiction.

The webinar focuses on:

  • Different revenue models and which might suit their municipality or organization
  • Details on how to set up a Carbon Fund including the steps to do so and typical challenges to implementation.
  • Details on operational experience, successes, and challenges of various approaches from funds designed and/or implemented within the past 3 years.
Name: Tiffany Wise-West
Organization: Ecoshift Consulting
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Date: June 2017
Published in 2017
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event

Revolving Loan Funds in a Post-Incentive World

For many public agencies, utility incentives and On-Bill Financing (OBF) with fund disbursement months after project completion can be a significant hindrance to program utilization and project implementation. A Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Program overcomes this barrier by providing access to upfront funds that cover 100% of the project construction costs. The session highlights RLF models and provides practical and proven strategies to successfully design and sustain a RLF. Participants will learn why Revolving Loan Funds must be considered as an important tool to finance energy projects.

Speakers:

  • Genaro Bugarin, The Energy Coalition
  • Annie Secrest, County of San Luis Obispo
  • Matthew Skolnik, County of Los Angeles
  • Alelia Parenteau, City of Santa Barbara
Name: Genaro Bugarin
Organization: The Energy Coalition
Organization Type: City or County, Nonprofit Organization
Region: Greater Los Angeles, Central Coast, Statewide
Date: 06/26/2019
Published in 2019
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2019 SEEC Forum Resources
Learning Event

Rural Building Decarbonization Readiness and Resiliency: Vulnerabilities, Solutions, Barriers and Successes

This session will bring together varied perspectives on the experiences of rural Californians in their quest to decarbonize and build resiliency for their communities. Panelists will present how they’re working to overcome challenges, highlight innovative projects, identify barriers that exclude participation in funding opportunities and programs, and make recommendations on how to alleviate obstacles to provide greater opportunities to impact their communities.

Many rural communities are faced with extreme weather and their remote nature amplifies the needs for resiliency and their lack of resources, especially in light of goals to rapidly decarbonize building stock and address transportation needs. This panel will highlight programs and projects that will help deliver an equitable and clean energy future for rural Californians.

Speakers

  • Pam Close Bold, High Sierra Energy Foundation, Executive Director
  • Lou Jacobson, Willdan, Director
  • Stephen Kullmann, Redwood Coast Energy Authority, Director for Demand Side Management
  • Meredith Anderson, Sierra Business Council, Climate and Energy Project Manager
  • Amaury Berteaud, Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments, Sustainability Program Manager
Name: Pam Close Bold
Title: Executive Director
Organization: High Sierra Energy Foundation
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Central Coast, North Coast, Sierra Nevada
Date: 06/14/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Climate Planning, Environmental Justice
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments, Residential
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
Case Study

Sacramento Municipal Utility District Bonds

Sacramento Municipal Utility District issued $75M in bonds for green building projects.

Organization: SMUD
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA
Region: Sacramento Valley
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Internal Funding Best Practices
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Residential
Case Study

Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s (SMUD) commercial electrification incentives

Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s (SMUD) commercial electrification incentives help non-residential properties and commercial new construction to “Go Electric” and improve energy efficiency. Incentives help pay for lighting and HVAC upgrade, retrocommissioning, conversions from gas fired equipment to electric, including heat pump water heating, heat pump space heating, and heat recovery chillers.

Organization: SMUD
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA
Region: Sacramento Valley
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Commercial
Case Study

San Francisco’s Zero Emission Building Task Force

The Zero Emission Building Taskforce was convened at the direction of Mayor Breed. The purpose of the Taskforce is to Eliminate fossil fuel use in both electricity generation and in buildings l to achieve San Francisco’s emissions-reduction goals; electrification is the transition of services that rely on fossil fuels to efficient use of renewable electricity. Zero Emission Building Taskforce activities included a mixture of workshops to surface ideas and solicit input broadly and working meetings where taskforce participants contributed ideas, posed questions, and formulated recommendations. The resulting recommendations informed the Climate Action Plan that will be completed in 2021.

Name: Barry Hooper
Title: Senior Green Building Coordinator
Organization: San Francisco Department of the Environment
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency, Outreach and Engagement, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Learning Event

San Gabriel Valley Connect Episode 2: Energy Efficiency

Hosted by the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, SGV Connect is a podcast that features Southern California and San Gabriel Valley leaders on their unique stories and insights on handling emerging issues. Each episode provides an opportunity for residents, city staff, elected officials, and stakeholders to learn about cities, programs, and issues impacting the quality of life in the San Gabriel Valley region.

Energy efficiency projects play an important role in reducing a community’s electricity and natural gas consumption. Tune in for this episode of the SGV Connect as we discuss energy efficiency planning with Los Angeles County Internal Services Department Environmental Initiatives Manager, Lujuana Medina, and Statewide Energy Efficiency Best Practices Coordinator, Angie Hacker.

Organization: San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Date: October 2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Case Study

San Joaquin Valley Affordable Energy Options Case Study

The CPUC explored the economic feasibility of various options to bring affordable energy options to residents of disadvantaged communities in the San Joaquin Valley, many of whom lacked access to natural gas and were reliant on propane and wood for cooking and heating, CPUC initiated proceeding R.15-03-010 to identify eligible communities and affordable energy options. They Identified 170+ communities (many historically disinvested farmworker communities) that meet statutory definition.

Name: Commissioner Martha Guzman Aceves
Title: Commissioner
Organization: CPUC
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: North Coast, San Joaquin Valley
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Environmental Justice
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Case Study

San Luis Obispo City Council adopted the Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery

In August 2020, San Luis Obispo City Council adopted the Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery. One of the core pillars of the Climate Action Plan is Lead by Example, which highlights how the City can lead in climate action. The goal of the Lead by Example pillar is carbon neutral City operations by 2030. To achieve this goal, the City kicked off its Lead by Example initiative.

Lead by Example: A Plan for Carbon Neutral Municipal Operations is a goal-oriented plan that will help the city take action and reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions between now and 2030. This plan will be presented to City Council in July 2021.

Name: Chris Read
Title: Sustainability Manager
Organization: City of San Luis Obispo
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Central Coast
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Planning
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

Santa Barbara County’s Smart Build Santa Barbara (SB2) Program

To support energy efficiency in community projects, the County of Santa Barbara runs the innovative Smart Build Santa Barbara (SB2) program (formerly known as the IBRP), to provide complimentary energy efficiency expertise from community leaders during the permitting process. Information on the SB2 Program from the County’s website is shared below.

The Smart Build Santa Barbara (SB2) Program, formerly known as the Innovative Building Review Program, is a free, voluntary program that encourages applicants early in the planning process to make their new or existing developments more energy efficient and sustainable.  SB2 also promotes development that exceeds the California Energy Efficiency State Standards (also known as Title 24). The ultimate goal of SB2 is to encourage applicants to build developments that use little energy, which are 100% supplied by renewable sources, without forsaking comfort and reasonable building costs.

Organization: Santa Barbara County
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Central Coast
Published in 2016
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

Santa Barbara County’s ZNE Facilities Resolution

The County of Santa Barbara’s Zero Net Energy Facilities Resolution sets an interim target for 50% of new county-owned facilities beginning design after 2020 to be ZNE and requires that all new facilities and major renovations beginning design after 2025 will be ZNE. Learn more in this case study from the Center for Sustainable Energy, and learn more about adoption of the Resolution from the Santa Maria Times here.

Organization: County of Santa Barbara
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Central Coast
Published in 2015
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

Santa Barbara DER Downtown Project

The City of Santa Barbara is retrofitting one of the main parking garages in downtown Santa Barbara. They are installing a 500kW Solar that is funded by a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), a battery system funded by a Self Generation Incentive Program (SGIP), and 40+ EV charging stations that are both incentive and grant funded.

Name: Alelia Parenteau
Title: Energy and Climate Manager
Organization: City of Santa Barbara
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Central Coast
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

Santa Barbara Unified School District Solar Microgrids

The Clean Coalition and Sage Energy designed and executed a state-of-the-art RFP process for a 28-year fixed-rate PPA for solar at 14 District sites, with full Solar Microgrids at 6 of those sites — including game-changing innovations that guarantee resilience benefits to the District.

Name: Craig Lewis
Title: Founder and Executive Director
Organization: Clean Coalition
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Central Coast
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Resilience
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event

Santa Clarita’s Green Business Incentive Program

Learn from Heather Merenda about Santa Clarita’s Green Business Incentive Program directly from her in the 2011 SEEC webinar on benchmarking.

Name: Heather Merenda
Organization: City of Santa Clarita
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Date: October 27, 2011
Published in 2011
Topic Areas: Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

Santa Rosa Junior College Solar Microgrid and Battery Storage System

The Santa Rosa Junior College solar microgrid and battery storage system is a $5 million electrical infrastructure project that addresses climate change and fundamentally transforms the way energy is distributed and used on campus. The new solar arrays can operate independently from the utility and provide essential services to community members in the case of a Power Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event or wildfire.

Organization: Santa Rosa Junior College
Organization Type: Academia and/or Research
Region: North Coast
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Resilience, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Commercial
Guide

Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) Eligibility

The Statewide EE Best Practices Coordinator is pleased to share a brief response to a recent Technical Assistance Request on the topic of Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) Eligibility. If you’re interested in knowing whether your public agency facilities qualify for recently expanded incentives for energy storage, these tips and resources may help. (Question from April 29, 2020)

Name: Angie Hacker
Title: Best Practices Coordinator
Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: TA Response
Learning Event

Selling Sustainability Series #3: How to Reach Institutional Buyers

Have any questions about carbon conscious purchasing in the public sector or are seeking to understand digital tools that your institutional buyers use? If you missed our webinar, you can view the recording and hear from a panel comprised of representatives from Energy Solutions, The Energy Coalition, and the City of Santa Barbara, facilitated by the Statewide Best Practices Coordinator, Angie Hacker.

Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Central Coast, Statewide
Date: February 2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event

Shaping the Future of California’s Building Performance Standards – Local Government Processes and Grid Implications

This webinar explored Building Performance Standards (BPS), their future in California, and their implications for local governments, the building sector, and the climate. Hosted by the Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition (LGSEC) and the California Climate & Energy Collaborative (CCEC) on Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022 from 9-11am Pacific Time, this joint event featured a panel discussion comprised of both moderated and audience Q&A on the future of grid-interactive buildings, and what they mean for new and existing buildings, the grid, and local governments. Experts included in this panel were Senator Becker from the 13th Senate District, Cliff Majersik from IMT, Barbara Locci from the City of Chula Vista, and Lynne Kiesling from the University of Colorado. This was followed by a feedback session led by Cliff Majersik on building performance standards.

Organization: Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: March 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency, Energy Resilience
Additional notes of interest: LGSEC/CCEC Joint Event
Case Study

Simi Valley Retro-commissioning Policy

The City of Simi Valley, working with Southern California Edison through their city-utility Energy Leadership Partnership, has completed a retro-commissioning (RCx) policy to implement in their buildings.

Retro-commissioning is a critical piece of facilities maintenance that ensures good facility operations, longer facility equipment life, improved comfort and productivity of occupants – and energy and cost savings.

The policy document cites Lawrence Berkeley National Lab data showing typical cost savings of RCx implementation of $0.11-$0.72 per square foot in energy savings, and $0.10-$0.45 per square foot in non energy savings. The document covers other useful information, including SCE and SoCal Gas requirements for retro-commissioning incentives.

The policy document then reviews specific opportunities for the greatest savings in the City of Simi Valley’s portfolio – finding the greatest opportunities in the wastewater treatment plant and sanitation facilities.

To review the City’s policy document, click here.

Organization: City of Simi Valley
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2013
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

Simi Valley’s Voluntary Green Building Policy

In November 2012, Simi Valley adopted a Voluntary Green Building Policy, developed with support from its local government partnership (LGP) with Southern California Edison. The policy is available here, and the Executive Summary, with background on Simi Valley’s commitment to efficiency and conservation, and the benefits of a green building policy, is provided below.

Organization: Simi Valley
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Central Coast
Published in 2012
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Tool

SMUD Sustainable Communities Resource Priorities Map

This map can be used to find out which areas in the Sacramento Region need your help the most. This mapping tool helps analyze current data to indicate the local areas most likely to be underserved or in distress by lack of community development, income, housing, employment opportunities, transportation and more. This information is used to align the Sacramento Region’s investments toward the goal of creating and supporting healthy, vibrant and economically sustainable neighborhoods.

Organization: SMUD
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA
Region: Sacramento Valley
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Data Requests and Analysis
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Case Study

SoCalREN Case Study: Cardiff Parking Structure

In February of 2020, Culver City completed a lighting retrofit project to provide LED upgrades to their Cardiff Parking Structure. The project met the eligibility requirements to participate in SoCalREN’s Metered Savings program, including savings of more than 10% kWh at the meter, which opened access to SoCalREN’s full suite of project delivery services (see below). By participating in the Metered Savings Program, the City will also receive post-implementation support from SoCalREN including energy usage tracking after installation to ensure persistent energy savings.

Organization: SoCalREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

SoCalREN Case Study: City of Claremont

The City of Claremont enrolled in the SoCalREN Public Agency Program in late 2014, acknowledging a commitment to work with strategic partners to achieve energy reduction targets outlined in their City Sustainability Plan. Having already established a vision for community leadership, the City was ready to take action to identify and implement energy efficiency projects. The SoCalREN provided the City with the tools and expertise needed to get the job done.

Organization: SoCalREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

SoCalREN Case Study: City of Culver City

As one of the first agencies to enroll in the SoCalREN Public Agency Program in 2013, the City of Culver City has shown consistent leadership and a commitment to energy efficiency by implementing a variety of lighting and mechanical projects.

Organization: SoCalREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

SoCalREN Case Study: City of Santa Barbara

The City of Santa Barbara enrolled in the SoCalREN Public Agency Program in June of 2014. Since this time, the City has been able to steadily increase both the number and the complexity of energy efficiency projects. After implementing a series of smaller lighting projects as a proof of concept, the City enthusiastically moved forward with several complex parking garage and street lighting projects that have resulted in tremendous energy and cost savings. Building upon this success, the City has agreed to expedite existing efficiency plans and engage new departments in an effort to advance toward aggressive energy saving goals recently set by the City Council.

Organization: SoCalREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Central Coast
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Best Practices

SoCalREN Case Study: Conejo Valley Unified School District

After enrolling in late 2013, the Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) worked alongside the SoCalREN Public Agency Program to identify and implement several energy efficiency projects.CVUSD is benefiting from the positive impacts these energy efficiency projects have had on their facilities, as well as the people who inhabit them including the nearly 19,000 students currently enrolled. By implementing efficiency upgrades, the District models smart energy behaviors while creating a learning environment where students and teachers can thrive.

Organization: SoCalREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

SoCalREN Case Study: County of Los Angeles Facility Reinvestment Program

In November 2020, Los Angeles County completed several energy efficiency upgrades to their Centro Maravilla and San Gabriel Valley Service Centers. The projects were pursued in an effort to meet the County’s ambitious goals related to sustainability and their Facility Reinvestment Program, which prioritizes improvements to buildings that provide valuable public services to the community. The County collaborated with SoCalREN Public Agency Programs to leverage no-cost services from SoCalREN’s Project Delivery and Metered Savings Programs.

Organization: SoCaREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

SoCalREN Case Study: Cucamonga Valley Water District

Cucamonga Valley Water District (CVWD) has been able to achieve significant levels of energy savings since enrolling with the SoCalREN Public Agency Program in October of 2014. CVWD is a retail water provider serving City of Rancho Cucamonga, portions of the cities of Upland, Ontario and Fontana, and some unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County.

Organization: SoCalREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

SoCalREN Case Study: Culver City Energy Management Systems

Talk to any facility manager about what they wish they had more of and they will probably say time and money. Installing an energy management system (EMS) to control mechanical systems can address both, and Culver City completed an EMS system installation project at five of its key facilities, freeing up staff time and budget resources through energy savings. The city received no-cost technical assistance, project management support, utility incentive and On-Bill Financing application support from The SoCalREN Public Agency Program, and successfully completed the multi-site EMS project on budget.

Organization: SoCalREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

SoCalREN Case Study: The City of Long Beach

Since enrolling in the SoCalREN Public Agency Program in 2014, the City of Long Beach has taken great strides to move toward energy-efficient solutions that are more resilient and ultimately better for the health of the economy and its residents. The City recognizes that clean energy and energy efficiency not only mean reducing energy consumption, but also protecting the environment, fostering a safe community, saving money, and improving public health.

Organization: SoCalREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

SoCalREN Case Study: The City of Palmdale

The City of Palmdale has made significant progress in its quest to become more energy efficient since joining SoCalREN four years ago. The positive impact of its energy efficiency work with the Public Agency Program cannot be understated, and has benefited the City and community in multiple aspects including annual energy cost savings, improved outdoor environment and health, and increased safety.

Organization: SoCalREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

SoCalREN Case Study: The City of Santa Monica

Santa Monica has long championed innovative sustainable leadership, adopting aggressive goals for reducing energy and water resource consumption and increasing efficiency, as well as increasing citywide use of renewable energy and alternative fuels. Since the City’s enrollment in the SoCalREN in 2013, the Program has worked with the City to support their aggressive energy reduction goals through multiple energy efficiency projects.

Organization: SoCalREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

SoCalREN Case Study: Ventura Unified School District Interior Lighting Upgrades

In March of 2020, Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) completed an interior lighting upgrade project at 14 of their elementary and middle schools. VUSD secured funding through Proposition 39 and wanted to ensure their funds were used as effectively as possible. The District utilized SoCalREN’s expertise to provide financial analysis, navigate utility energy efficiency programs, and ensure the project met all Proposition 39 requirements. To take advantage of the maximum amount of incentives, VUSD participated in SCE’s Public Sector Performance-Based Retrofit Program, which measures energy savings based on actual metered energy consumption.

Organization: SoCalREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

SoCalREN Multifamily Energy Efficiency Program

The SoCalREN Multifamily Program provides technical assistance and incentives to help property owners upgrade. This program reduces utility costs for both property owners and residents. In addition, through grants, SoCalRen is working to provide a more comprehensive model through solar panels on rooftops and providing EV charging.

Name: Lujuana Medina
Title: Environmental Initiatives Manager, County of Los Angeles' ISD Environmental & Energy Services
Organization: SoCalREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Case Study

SoCalREN Pathway to Zero

Pathway to Zero helps public agencies within low-income, rural, and disadvantaged communities on a path towards zero net energy. This will be offered alongside energy efficiency programs to maximize energy efficiency opportunities and drive the integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs).

Organization: SoCalREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Greater Los Angeles, Inland Empire, San Diego
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Distributed Energy Resources, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Case Study

SoCalREN Pathway to Zero Program

Pathway to Zero supports public agencies on a path towards zero net energy (ZNE), which means producing all the energy needed on-site. It maximizes energy efficiency opportunities for low-income, rural, and disadvantaged communities while driving the integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs).

Name: Lujuana Medina
Title: Environmental Initiatives Manager, County of Los Angeles' ISD Environmental & Energy Services
Organization: SoCalREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Resilience
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Case Study

SoCalREN Regional Partnerships

85% of SoCalREN’s 2020 enrollments were secured through regional partnerships. More than 23 presentations were delivered to agency audiences in regional partner territory and 23 agency staff participated in a virtual EE training series.

Name: Nicol Manzanares
Title: Program Manager
Organization: The Energy Coalition
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Greater Los Angeles, Inland Empire
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

Solar Tenant Education through SOMAH

The goals for SOMAHs tenant education program are to ensure participating tenants receive SOMAH-approved information in energy efficiency, time of use rate (if relevant), tiered-rate, bill interpretation, solar training opportunities and resources for additional support and information. Host customers are required to meet the two tenants’ education requirements 60 days or fewer, prior to the start of construction.

Name: Sarah Salem
Title: Senior Tenant Services & CBO Manager
Organization: SOMAH
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Tool

SolarCorps

SolarCorps Fellows gain valuable experience in the solar and non-profit industries to help launch their renewable energy careers, while making significant contributions to GRID and the low-income communities we serve. The SolarCorps Fellowship Program is supported by Americorps, the JPB Foundation, and Bank of America.

Organization: Grid Alternatives
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Renewable Energy & Storage, Workforce Development
Case Study

SOMAH and Community-based Organization Partnerships

Community-based organizations provide the following through their partnership with SOMAH. Support with marketing, education and outreach efforts to community members at large, property owners and host customers, tenants, job trainees and governmental agencies. They inform SOMAH regulatory decisions and provide community voices.

Name: Sarah Salem
Title: Senior Tenant Services & CBO Manager
Organization: SOMAH
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Partnerships, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Technical Assistance Provider

Sonoma Clean Power

An organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: Evaluation and analysis of facility systems, business equipment, and operational practice.

The eligibility restrictions are the following: None.

Name: General Contact
Organization: Sonoma Clean Power
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Best Practices, Learning Event

Soup to Nuts: An Interagency Approach to Guiding Constituents from Education to Energy Savings

This session will present a framework for collaboration between county, regional, and state agencies that provides a continuum of support for constituents to improve their energy efficiency. With many energy-focused programs and resources available statewide, it can be difficult for constituents to navigate the options and overcome barriers to making energy upgrades. Collaboration across multiple agencies is key to raising awareness about available support for efficiency and sustainability improvements at the local level. The webinar will begin with an overview of available rebates and financing that can be used together by constituents undertaking energy upgrades, followed by a panel discussion about how the three presenters work together to streamline the complex energy retrofit landscape for constituents. Participants will learn about available energy efficiency resources for their constituents, how to pair them together to provide continuity of support, and best practices for interagency collaboration to raise awareness in their community.

Name: Kaylee D'Amico
Title: Soup to Nuts: An Interagency Approach to Guiding Constituents from Education to Energy Savings
Organization: CAEATFA
Organization Type: City or County, State Government/Agency, Electric Utility or CCA
Region: San Francisco Bay Area, Statewide
Date: 08/05/2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2021 CCEC Forum Resources
Case Study

Southern California Regional Energy network (SoCalREN)’s Green Path Careers

Southern California Regional Energy network (SoCalREN)’s Green Path Careers offers a unique opportunity for young adults who are transitioning from the state foster care system to independent living to access training, education, industry certifications, and work experience in the energy efficiency industry.

Name: Wendy Angel
Title: wangel@emeraldcities.org
Organization: SoCalREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Workforce Development
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Learning Event, Case Study, Tool

Speeding Decarbonization Efforts with Reach Code Development Tools

Reach codes, local measures that “reach” beyond the minimum state Building Energy Standards to require more resource-efficient buildings, are powerful tools for driving climate action and decarbonization efforts. Today, at least one in three Californians live in a community with effective reach codes. However, the development and adoption process can be challenging for jurisdictions that are disadvantaged, under-resourced or struggling to identify the best options. One new and highly effective tool that helps ‘level the playing field’ is the free online Cost Effectiveness Explorer, developed by the statewide reach codes program. This session presents a hands-on look at this tool to demonstrate how a local jurisdiction can effectively use the tool to identify reach code measures, as well as lessons learned from two different jurisdictions.

Name: Misti Bruceri
Title: Technical Lead
Organization: Statewide Reach Codes Program/Misti Bruceri & Associates
Organization Type: City or County, Other Local Government, State Government/Agency, Business or Trade Association
Region: Statewide
Date: 08/17/2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Codes and Standards
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2021 CCEC Forum Resources
Learning Event

State Leaders’ Opening Plenary: California’s Low Carbon Future & Role of Local Governments

To meet our ambitious state and local goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we must accelerate the pace of investment in, and deployment of, energy efficiency and other integrated energy strategies, as well as more deeply engage underserved and disadvantaged communities across California. This session will provide the opportunity for leaders from key statewide organizations to discuss their vision for California’s low carbon future and the role of local governments in this evolving policy and program landscape.

Speakers:

  • Leif Christiansen, EE Coordinator, Local Government Commission
  • Edie Chang, California Air Resources Board
  • Pete Skala, California Public Utilities Commission
  • Lara Ettenson, Natural Resources Defense Council
Name: Edie Chang
Title: Deputy Executive Director
Organization: CARB
Organization Type: State Government/Agency, Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: 06/26/2019
Published in 2019
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Climate Planning, Energy Efficiency, GHG Reduction, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2019 SEEC Forum Resources
Best Practices, Learning Event

State Panel on Promising Solutions for a Clean Energy Future

Local governments throughout California have been making tremendous progress towards State goals to increase energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and build a more resilient future for all. While the adoption of new technologies is on the rise – from electric vehicles to microgrids, local agencies are increasingly under pressure to respond to new threats to their communities such as Public Safety Power Shutoffs and COVID-19. However, ambitions to achieve local and State goals still remain high as these challenges underscore the importance and highlight the urgency of creating a clean energy future.

The SEEC Virtual Forum launches with a panel discussion featuring state leaders who will speak to the forum theme of Promising Solutions for a Clean Energy Future. Participants will hear from leading key State agencies, such as the California Air Resources Board, California Energy Commission, California Public Utilities Commission, and more. This webinar will include a brief moderated discussion and quickly pivot to take questions from the audience to provide opportunities to engage with California’s energy leaders in this time of urgency to create a clean energy future.

Name: Serena McIlwain
Title: Undersecretary for Environmental Protection
Organization: CalEPA
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Date: 06/02/2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2020 CCEC Forum Resources
Learning Event, Tool

State-Administered, Utility-Supported Financing for Energy Efficiency Retrofits

Learn about the State of Californiaʼs programs making attractive financing for energy upgrades available to homeowners, renters, small businesses and affordable multifamily properties. You can help your constituents save energy and lower their utility bills by connecting them to these programs. This webinar will feature a presentation on available financing and a panel discussion with several program partners of the California Hub for Energy Efficiency Financing (the Hub) to discuss customer benefits from different perspectives and answer audience questions about how this financing fits their constituentsʼ needs.

Lowering the barriers to energy efficiency (EE) retrofits through financing, particularly in underserved market sectors, is critical to reaching the stateʼs goal of reduced energy consumption with shared benefits for all Californians. In this webinar, participants will hear from representatives of the Hub, a program of the State Treasurerʼs Office that leverages private capital to provide affordable financing for EE upgrades. The Hub operates financing programs that offer a credit enhancement to participating lenders, which allows them to expand their underwriting criteria. This creates financing opportunities for underserved borrowers – including renters, new business owners and those with lower credit scores — while introducing new products to the market with lower interest rates, longer payback terms, and broader credit approval. By removing the upfront costs for EE upgrades, these programs allow Californians to prioritize efficiency and make lasting impacts on their energy use, including through decarbonization measures. The Hub is supported by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the stateʼs Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs).

Name: Julie Lessard
Title: Vice President of Consumer Loans
Organization: First U.S. Community Credit Union
Organization Type: State Government/Agency, Other Private Sector Business, Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: 09/17/2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Residential
Additional notes of interest: 2020 CCEC Forum Resources
Reports

State-Funded Climate and Energy Program Updates

With major movement in federal funding and State budgets last year (and promising priorities in the Governor’s 2022-2023 budget), 2022 is shaping up to be a big year for investments into local and regional climate and energy initiatives! Below are brief updates on just some key programs that local governments are eligible for that are worth your time and attention. If you plan on taking advantage of these opportunities, the time to start engaging and planning is now!

Name: Angie Hacker
Title: Best Practices Coordinator
Organization: CCEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: January, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: CCEC Original Article
Best Practices, Case Study

Strategic Planning for a Clean Energy Future: How to Phase, Scale & Finance Smart Cities Solutions

The Willdan Smart Cities Working Group will share 5-7 case studies illustrating how to phase, scale and finance smart cities solutions. The panel will include interactive discussion with representatives from the City of Irvine, City of Long Beach, and City of West Hollywood who will share tips, tactics and tools for implementation of smart cities strategic planning efforts. The panel will also include valuable examples of how to fund smart cities infrastructure with input provided by experts in New Markets Tax Credits, Opportunity Zones, and traditional forms of Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funding.

Name: Molly McMay
Title: Principal
Organization: Willdan Financial and Economic Consulting
Organization Type: City or County, Other Private Sector Business
Region: Greater Los Angeles, Statewide
Date: 10/07/2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2020 CCEC Forum Resources
Case Study

Streamlining Permitting for EV Chargers, Solar, and Battery Energy Storage Systems

The City of Santa Monica recently streamlined the permitting process for qualifying electric vehicle charger permit applications for Level 1 or Level 2 outlets or chargers for single-family and multi-family properties, as well as solar PV permit applications for projects < 15kW on single family homes and multi-family residential properties. The review process can be conducted by-appointment Over the Counter (OTC) at City Hall or virtually.

Name: Drew Johnstone
Title: Sr. Sustainability Analyst
Organization: City of Santa Monica
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event

Sustainable Procurement: Opportunities for Local Government

Empower Procurement, a program lead by Doug Davenport, Founder and Executive Director of ProspectSV will be joined by Richard Schorske, Executive Director of ZNE Alliance and EV Alliance, and Christopher Payne Deputy for Operations, Building Technology & Urban Systems Division of Lawrence Berkeley National Lab to explore the opportunities for carbon reduction through sustainable procurement approaches and what their findings may mean for Local Government.

Name: Doug Davenport
Title: Founder and Executive Director
Organization: Prospect Silicon Valley
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business, Nonprofit Organization, Academia and/or Research
Region: Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area, Statewide
Date: 08/05/2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2021 CCEC Forum Resources
Case Study

Sustainable Workforce and Diversity Policy

In 2017, Marin Clean Energy (MCE) developed the Sustainable Workforce and Diversity Policy to ensure Diversity, Equity and Inclusion were embedded in everything they do. This policy requires local projects to include prevailing wages and hire 50% of employees from the local community. The policy further emphasizes supplier diversity efforts to support engagement with minority, women, disabled-veteran, and LGBTQ businesses. This policy also encourages purchasing and contracting with businesses located in MCE’s service area.

Name: Jennifer Green
Title: Manager of Customer Programs
Organization: Marin Clean Energy
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Workforce Development
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Technical Assistance Provider

TA Provider: 3C REN

An organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: Energy Code Coaching.

The elegibility restrictions are the following: None.

Name: General Contact
Organization: 3C-REN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Phone: (805) 220-9991
Region: Central Coast
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency
Technical Assistance Provider

TA Provider: Azavea

An Organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: High level guidance on using Temperate adaptation planning software. The elegibility restrictions are the following: None.

Name: Jessica Cahill
Title: Product Manager
Organization: Azavea
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Planning
Technical Assistance Provider

TA Provider: Bay Area Regional Collaborative

An organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: Model Solar Ordinance Toolkit.

The elegibility restrictions are the following: None.

Name: General Contact
Organization: Bay Area Regional Collaborative
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Codes and Standards, Renewable Energy & Storage
Technical Assistance Provider

TA Provider: Building Decarbonization Coalition

An Organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: Reach codes and ordinances related to building electrification. The elegibility restrictions are the following: None.

Name: Amy Rider
Title: Local Government Lead
Organization: Building Decarbonization Coalition
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency
Technical Assistance Provider

TA Provider: California Energy Commission

An organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: Guidance on the process for completing State reach code approval.

The elegibility restrictions are the following: None.

Name: Danuta Drozdowicz
Title: Building Standards Office
Organization: California Energy Commission
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards
Technical Assistance Provider

TA Provider: Center for Sustainable Energy – DOE Western CHP TAP

An Organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: The Western CHP TAP provides no-cost education and feasibility assessments for the installation of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems. The elegibility restrictions are the following: None, we cover all of AZ, CA, HI and NV.

Name: Erik Blackburn
Title: Senior Coordinator - DOE Western CHP TAP
Organization: Center for Sustainable Energy - DOE Western CHP TAP
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Technical Assistance Provider

TA Provider: City of Santa Monica

An Individual local government professional offering peer knowledge to other local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: Santa Monica. The elegibility restrictions are the following: None.

Name: Drew Johnstone
Title: Sr. Sustainability Analyst
Organization: City of Santa Monica
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Technical Assistance Provider

TA Provider: East Bay Community Energy

An organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: Reach Codes assistance program.

The elegibility restrictions are the following: Cities are encouraged to participate and receive technical support. Let us know what type(s) of reach codes your city is interested in developing.

Organization: East Bay Community Energy
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency
Technical Assistance Provider

TA Provider: Environmental Protection Network

An organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: EPN’s pro bono Capacity-Building Technical Assistance Program provides assistance to communities; NGOs; and state, local, and tribal agencies disproportionately impacted by environmental and health issues. EPN’s network of volunteers assists organizations to more effectively and meaningfully participate in government decision-making by helping them navigate EPA, potential grants, regulatory processes, federal policies, and publicly available data to support their work.

Name: Environmental Protection Network Pro-Bono Technical Assistance Program
Organization: Environmental Protection Network
Organization Type: Governmental Association
Region: Statewide, Out of State
Published in 2010
Topic Areas: Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Energy Efficiency, Energy Resilience, GHG Reduction, Infrastructure
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit, Tribal Governments
Technical Assistance Provider

TA Provider: ICLEI USA

An organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: Greenhouse Gas inventorying using the ClearPath tool.

The elegibility restrictions are the following: As of 2021, California governments no longer have free access nor technical assistance for greenhouse gas inventorying. I will however be able to provide a high level overview of inventorying using the ClearPath tool post 2020. In order to use the ClearPath tool 2021 and on, local governments will need to become ICLEI Members.

Name: Calyn Hart
Title: Program Officer
Organization: ICLEI USA
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Phone: 617-765-0101
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Data Requests and Analysis
Technical Assistance Provider

TA Provider: MBA, LLC (on behalf of IOU Reach Codes Program)

An organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: Vacaville.

The elegibility restrictions are the following: None.

Name: Misti Bruceri
Title: Coordinator
Organization: MBA, LLC (on behalf of IOU Reach Codes Program)
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility
Technical Assistance Provider

TA Provider: Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy: Outdoor Lighting Toolkit

An organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: From 2014-2016 the Outdoor Lighting Accelerator (OLA) garnered a commitment to upgrade 1.3 million street lights that once achieved will save partners an estimated $48 million/year. Working with 25 partners that included three states, 16 cities and 6 regional energy networks. Find best practices and replicable solutions in the Outdoor Lighting Toolkit.

The elegibility restrictions are the following: None.

Organization: Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
Organization Type: Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Technical Assistance Provider

TA Provider: Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment

An organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: unknown.

The elegibility restrictions are the following: None.

Name: Laurie Monserrat
Title: Senior Environmental Scientist
Organization: Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Data Requests and Analysis
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Technical Assistance Provider

TA Provider: Peninsula Clean Energy

An organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: Reach Codes assistance program.

The elegibility restrictions are the following: In support of municipalities and counties in PCE & SVCE service territory, PCE & SVCE are providing extensive technical assistance plus a $10,000 incentive to each city that brings reach codes to their council.

Organization: Peninsula Clean Energy
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards
Technical Assistance Provider

TA Provider: Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School

An Organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: legal research and expertise re local government GHG-mitigation policy. The elegibility restrictions are the following: None.

Name: Amy Turner
Title: Senior Fellow
Organization: Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Out of State
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Policy
Technical Assistance Provider

TA Provider: Silent Running LLC

An organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: Energy Efficiency, Microgrids and Microgrid Use Cases, Resiliency, Electricity Rate Tariffs, Renewable Energy Sizing and Configuration, Sports Facility Energy Efficiency and Decarbonization, Health Care Building Decarbonization.

The elegibility restrictions are the following: Prefer to provide services for disadvantaged communities and low-income communities in Southern California.

Name: James Dodenhoff
Title: Principal
Organization: Silent Running LLC
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Phone: 310-936-9456
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Technical Assistance Provider

TA Provider: Silicon Valley Clean Energy

An organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: Reach Codes assistance program.

The eligibility restrictions are the following: None.

Name: General Contact
Organization: Silicon Valley Clean Energy
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency
Technical Assistance Provider

TA Provider: SoCalGas

An organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: Los Angeles.

The eligibility restrictions are the following: SoCalGas service territory cities and counties..

Name: Alma Briseno
Title: Sr. Program Manger
Organization: SoCalGas
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA
Region: Greater Los Angeles, Inland Empire, Central Coast, North Coast, San Joaquin Valley
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Technical Assistance Provider

TA Provider: Southern California Edison

An organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: Technical assistance to install EV charging stations, access to resources, qualified vendors, and more.

The eligibility restrictions are the following: None.

Organization: Southern California Edison
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA
Region: Greater Los Angeles, Inland Empire
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility
Technical Assistance Provider

TA Provider: Strategic Growth Council

An organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: The California Climate Investments Technical Assistance Program supports local communities with direct application assistance, partnership development, and capacity building activities with the goal of facilitating access to California Climate Investments (CCI) funding programs.

The eligibility restrictions are the following: None.

Name: Ena Lupine
Title: Technical Assistance Lead
Organization: Strategic Growth Council
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Technical Assistance Provider, Reports

TA Provider: TECH Clean California; Energy Solutions

An organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: TECH Clean California offers incentives, pilot activities, technical assistance, and training to address barriers associated with clean space and water heating technologies across California homes. They provide CBO Training, Workforce education and training, and public data to inform on building decarbonization decisons.

Name: TECH Clean California
Organization: Energy Solutions
Organization Type: Other
Region: Statewide
Published in 2018
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Data Requests and Analysis
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Local Governments, Nonprofit
Technical Assistance Provider

TA Provider: TRC, Peninsula Clean Energy and Silicon Valley Clean Energy.

An organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: The Electrification Technical Assistance Program provides extensive free technical assistance to architects, builders, developers, design engineers, contractors, and energy consultants to learn about all-electric building technologies and electric vehicle infrastructure.

The eligibility restrictions are the following: Building industry members who would like guidance on electrification of energy-consuming building systems are eligible for free technical assistance through the program.

Organization: TRC, Peninsula Clean Energy and Silicon Valley Clean Energy.
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA
Phone: 650-429-8910
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization
Technical Assistance Provider

TA Provider: US Department of Energy

An organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: The goal of the WTE technical assistance program is to mobilize data and information compiled about organic waste streams to: (1) provide this data to local decision makers, (2) deploy the analyses that have been developed for a variety of energy/resource recovery strategies, and (3) foster local public-private partnerships.

The elegibility restrictions are the following: All U.S. municipalities in the lower 48 states, Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories, as well as tribal governments, are eligible for WTE technical assistance at no cost.

Name: NREL
Title: Waste-to-Energy Technical Assistance for Local Governments
Organization: US Department of Energy
Organization Type: Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Data Requests and Analysis
Tool

Technical Resilience Navigator

The Technical Resilience Navigator (TRN) provides a systematic approach to identifying energy and water resiliency gaps and developing and prioritizing solutions that reduce disruptions in energy and water services.

Organization: U.S. Department of Energy
Organization Type: Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Resilience
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

TerraVerde helps Schools refinance PPA

TerraVerde is supporting several of our clients in evaluating their opportunity to refinance their solar PPAs. One such client is a school in PG&E territory, with a 400kW Solar Project with a 15-year PPA. After refinancing the PPA and adding batteries, the utility bill savings increased from $235k to $3.5 million and a net financial outcome of $650k.

Name: Ali Chehrehsaz
Title: CEO
Organization: TerraVerde Energy
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Best Practices

TerraVerde’s Economic Value of Resilience

TerraVerde’s defensible accounting methodology for quantifying the financial benefits of having solar + battery backup power resources. The Economic Value of Resilience equals the avoided costs of an otherwise applicable solution (i.e. equipment & installation, operation & maintenance, fuel costs, permits) plus the avoided cost of power interruption (i.e. business interruption costs, electrical equipment damages, IT system damages, productivity losses, and spoilage).

Name: David Burdick
Title: Executive Vice President
Organization: TerraVerde Energy
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Resilience, Renewable Energy & Storage
Learning Event

The 3 C’s: Community Colleges, Climate Action and Community Engagement

This breakout session will be a moderated discussion with Bakersfield College / Kern CCD and their governmental and community partners on the work developing the Kern Energy Innovation Workforce coalition. The session will explore how broadening and deepening partnerships has resulted in greater trust, collaboration, and a heightened ability to attract state and federal resources. Discussion will include approaches to intentional outreach to ensure that disadvantaged communities are included in the discussions and how a broad representation from industry, labor, nonprofits, and government helps to break down silos and lead to strategies developed by the community with workforce and inclusion as a central focus. The session will address challenges presented in forming the coalition, and climate action initiatives that are underway arising from the development of the partnerships. Participants will be asked to think about their communities and develop a list of 3-5 potential community partners for outreach.

Speakers

  • Traco Matthews (He/Him), Community Action Partnership of Kern, Chief Program Officer
  • Christine Viterelli, City of Arvin, Grants Manager
  • Norma Rojas-Mora (she/her/ella) (Moderator), Bakersfield College, Executive Director, Government Relations and Development
  • David Teasdale (he/him/his), Kern Community College District, Executive Director, Economic and Workforce Development Programs
Name: Dave Teasdale
Title: Executive Director, Economic and Workforce Development Program
Organization: Kern Community College District
Organization Type: Academia and/or Research
Region: Statewide
Date: September 21, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Outreach and Engagement, Workforce Development
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments, Nonprofit
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Session
Tool

The Basics of Benchmarking

Are you a building owner who needs to comply with a mandatory benchmarking requirement? Do you have little or no experience using EPA’s Portfolio Manager tool? This is a three-part webinar series on the basics of Portfolio Manager. Learn the ins and outs of the Portfolio Manager tool and all the essential “how-to” information you need to start benchmarking and reporting your building data to your local or state government.

Organization: EnergyStar
Organization Type: Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Codes and Standards
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Residential
Tool

The C40 Knowledge Hub

Joining the C40 Knowledge Hub provides registrants access to a wealth of climate-related information and other climate experts. Registered users will be able to: track topics of interest and save content to a personal library for future reference, receive personalized recommendations based on your interests and content that others with similar interests have found useful, gain access to peer-to-peer tools including the community directory and direct messaging, and much more.

Organization: C40 Cities
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Partnerships
Case Study

The City of Cloverdale is the Second Utility to Join BayREN’s New Water Upgrade $ave Program

On August 11, the Cloverdale City Council voted to join the Bay Area Regional Network’s (BayREN) Water Upgrades $ave program, becoming the second utility to enroll in the regional program. Water Upgrades $ave is a water efficiency program for Bay area residents in eligible water districts.

Name: Chris Cone
Title: Program Manager
Organization: BayREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

The City of San Diego is in the process of developing Climate Resilient San Diego

The City of San Diego is in the process of developing Climate Resilient SD, a plan to ensure residents a more equitable, sustainable and healthy future where communities are prepared for and resilient to the impacts of climate change.
Adaptation is a core component of a comprehensive response to climate change. Strategy 5 of the Climate Action Plan (CAP) calls for a standalone climate adaptation plan to identify vulnerabilities, take early action, integrate adaptation into CAP efforts, capitalize on co-benefits, and increase local resilience. Climate Resilient SD also implements the CAP’s social equity goals by prioritizing our City’s Communities of Concerns to ensure that investments and resources are prioritized for those with the greatest needs and vulnerabilities.

Name: Dan Monroe
Title: City Planner
Organization: City of San Diego
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Diego
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Planning
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Case Study

The City of San Diego’s Sustainable Buildings Expedite Program

The City of San Diego is committed to green and sustainable building practices, and supports the development of sustainable, energy efficient buildings through the Sustainable Building Expedite Program (or “Expedite Program”). The Expedite Program provides expedited permit processing for all eligible affordable/in-fill housing and sustainable building projects. For information on how the program works, visit the City of San Diego’s Expedite Program webpage here.

Organization: City of San Diego
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Diego
Published in 2015
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Best Practices

The Clean Coalition’s Standardized Value-of-Resilience

The Clean Coalition has created a standardized VOR that will allow all stakeholders to effectively consider VOR when analyzing microgrid economics — making microgrid economics far more favorable. The increased valuation, in turn, will accelerate the proliferation of microgrids throughout the country and well beyond.

Name: Craig Lewis
Title: Executive Director
Organization: The Clean Coalition
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Technical Assistance Provider

The Energy Coalition

An organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: Energy savings solutions for Public Agencies, Data Requests & Analysis, Financing.

The eligibility restrictions are the following: SCE and/or SCG customers.

Name: Rebecca Hausheer
Title: Director of Energy Services
Organization: The Energy Coalition
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Greater Los Angeles, Inland Empire, Sierra Nevada
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Data Requests and Analysis, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Best Practices

The Future is Local: Just and Equitable Clean Energy Transformation

Local government leadership is truly the best driver for transformation to a clean and democratized energy economy. Regional Energy Networks (RENs) and Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs) are leading the charge and have deep and expanding roots in climate program deployment. They are crafting unique programmatic solutions to address local risks, including energy resilience, climate change mitigation, and workforce preparedness. Panelists representing RENs and CCAs will provide a peek into pilot efforts, programs, and partnerships offering community-focused initiatives with the potential to scale up and spark innovation in this era of renewed national commitment to climate change work. This session celebrates the change-makers and initiatives harnessing the power of local mobilization and engagement to shepherd in a cleaner, environmentally just energy future—one that succeeds by increasing access while building community equity and resilience.

Name: Laurel Rothschild
Title: Vice President
Organization: The Energy Coalition
Organization Type: City or County, Electric Utility or CCA, Nonprofit Organization
Region: Greater Los Angeles, North Coast, San Francisco Bay Area, Statewide
Date: 08/12/2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Resilience, Workforce Development
Additional notes of interest: 2021 CCEC Forum Resources
Learning Event

The Future of Virtual Power Plants: Empowering Underserved Communities

Sarah Delisle, Vice President, Government Affairs & Communications of Swell Energy; Ed Hamzawi, Director, Advanced Energy Solutions of Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD); and Achini Bandara, Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships at GRID Alternatives North Valley will discuss how aggregating distributed energy resources en masse in the form of a virtual power plant (VPP) lowers the cost of ownership for consumers and helps utilities manage demand while increasing individual reliability and resilience across the electric grid. They will demonstrate how Swell is working to help SMUD deliver on its 2030 Zero Carbon Plan to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from its power supply, including how the success of programs like SMUD’s My Energy Optimizer Partner+ is based not only on total enrollment but also on the additional job opportunities created for local installers, new revenue opportunities, and grid resilience benefits, as well as the socially equitable impacts of these programs.

Speakers

  • Sarah Delisle, Swell Energy, Vice President for Government Affairs and Communications
  • Ed Hamzawi, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Advanced Energy Solutions Director
  • Achini Bandara, GRID Alternatives North Valley, Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships
Name: Sarah Delisle
Title: Vice President for Government Affairs and Communications
Organization: Swell Energy
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Sacramento Valley
Date: 06/13/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Resilience
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
Case Study

The Gonzales Microgrid

The City of Gonzales’s microgrid could potentially provide a new model for California cities looking for clean energy options. This 35-Megawatt microgrid will be the largest multi-customer microgrid in California.

Organization: City of Gonzales
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Central Coast
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Resilience
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

The Healthy Stores Refrigeration Grant Pilot Program

Through this program, CDFA funds energy efficient refrigeration units in corner stores and small businesses in low-income or low-access areas throughout the state to stock California-grown fresh produce, nuts and minimally processed foods. The purpose of the program is to improve access to healthy food choices in the small retail environment for underserved communities, while promoting CA-grown agriculture. The Healthy Stores Refrigeration Grant Program is established in California Food and Agricultural Code section 49015 and funding was made available in the Budget Act of 2018.

Organization: California Department of Food and Agriculture
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Public Health
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Disadvantaged Communities, Residential
Reports

The Hidden Battery: Opportunities in Electric Water Heating

A new study, “The Hidden Battery: Opportunities in Electric Water Heating” shows opportunities for energy storage and savings in residential electric water heating. As covered by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC):

The analysis, conducted by The Brattle Group, found that under the right conditions, electricity cost savings could add up to $200 annually for a home with a grid-interactive water heater — enough to pay for the water heater and the controls in just five years.

Get more overview from NRDC here and in the study’s February 2016 press release.

Organization: Natural Resources Defense Council
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Out of State
Published in 2016
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Best Practices, Guide

The Home Energy Score (HES)

The HES is about gaining knowledge and information about your home. It’s an assessment process that helps you make better decisions about potential upgrades.

An assessor uses a formula developed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to score your home’s energy use on a scale of 1 to 10. It estimates home energy use, associated costs, and provides energy solutions to cost-effectively improve your home’s efficiency. 

Organization: BayREN
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Statewide
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit, Residential
Case Study

The Inland Empire Utilities Agency Finances Green Infrastructure

The Inland Empire Utilities Agency received $30 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) to support improvement projects related to recycled water, groundwater recharge, energy efficiency, and green infrastructure. I-Bank issues bonds for the CWSRF and operates the California Lending for Energy and Environmental Needs (CLEEN) Center and the Infrastructure State Revolving Fund (ISRF) Program.

Organization: The Inland Empire Utilities Agency
Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: Inland Empire
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event

The Intersection of Food Access and EE: LA’s Neighborhood Market Revitalization Program

This session will bring together the perspectives of different stakeholders that have made LA County’s Healthy Stores Refrigeration Program (HSRP) possible. Participants will gain valuable insights on leveraging different funding sources, finding intersections between local issues, and engaging the community to deliver larger behavioral benefits for businesses and residents—all through a single program.

HSRP is a Los Angeles County initiative to support corner stores and small businesses across Los Angeles County by fully funding new energy-efficient refrigerators to stock with healthy food. The program aims to address the challenge of food deserts, help small businesses save money, reduce GHG emissions, promote healthy food options in low-income communities, and provide education, outreach, and support to small businesses. Within the first phase of this program’s implementation, over 80 stores in LA County’s food deserts have received their fridges and begun to see the positive impacts in their communities.

Speakers
  • Natalie Espinoza (She/Her)(Moderator), The Energy Coalition, Education and Engagement Program Manager
  • Lujuana Medina, SoCalREN, Environmental Initiatives Manager
Organization Type: Governmental Association, Nonprofit Organization
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Date: September 21, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Public Health
Sectors Targeted: Commercial
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Session
Case Study

The Regional Renewable Energy Procurement Project (R-REP)

The Regional Renewable Energy Procurement Project (R-REP) is a collaborative effort by local governments within the San Francisco Bay Area to purchase solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for on-site generation at public facilities. Procuring these systems collaboratively addresses some of the resource limitations and lack of expertise that pose significant barriers to renewable energy adoption by local governments. Led by the County of Alameda, R-REP includes 186 sites owned by 19 public agencies. These projects have the potential to generate approximately 31 megawatts of renewable power (that’s the equivalent of the annual energy use of 6,188 average sized homes in the Bay Area) at sites such as community centers, libraries, fire stations, medical facilities, city halls and educational facilities.

Organization Type: Other Local Government
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Distributed Energy Resources, Partnerships, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Best Practices

The State of Local Climate Planning: A Needed Evolution

A group of climate change practitioners convened in 2019 and again in 2021 to develop a collective statement regarding the State of Local Climate Planning. Released in May 2021, this Statement found that local climate action planning had reached an inflection point, and progress has become stagnant. In order to achieve the rapid transformational GHG reductions needed, the field must identify lessons learned from the last decade and move beyond traditional climate action planning processes to prioritizing implementation. The work ahead does not live with a single organization or small group of people: we hope these observations support reflection, spark dialogue, and fuel an appetite to work in a new direction with new partners. This session will be a facilitated discussion to support this reflection towards the goal of shifting practitioners and practices to implementation and action.

Name: Michael McCormick
Title: Founder and President
Organization: Fallon Strategies LLC
Organization Type: City or County, Business or Trade Association, Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: 08/18/2021
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Climate Planning
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2021 CCEC Forum Resources
Learning Event

The Yolo Climate Commission: Emission Reduction through Community-Driven Action

This interactive session highlights the role that resource-constrained, rural, and/or agricultural communities play in taking aggressive, grassroots action on climate change. We will discuss how Yolo County passed a climate emergency declaration, established a carbon negative by 2030 goal, and created a community-driven Climate Action Commission that is charged with guiding the development and implementation of the County’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. We will hear from a panel of community leaders and elected officials about the development of the Commission, and strategies employed—such as funding early action projects, undertaking creative engagement in unincorporated regions, and centering historically and presently disadvantaged communities—to ensure that resources are urgently mobilized to tackle our climate goals efficiently and equitably. Session attendees will discuss lessons-learned in standing up a Climate Action Commission, the opportunities for leveraging funding and engagement to overcoming resource constraints, and the models that worked for Yolo County.

Speakers

  • NJ Mvondo, National Association for Climate Resilience Planners (NACRP), Member
  • Kristen Wraithwall (she/her), Yolo County, Sustainability Manager
  • Jim Provenza, Yolo County, District 4, County Supervisor
  • Adelita Serena (She/Hers), Yolo County Climate Commission/Sierra Club, Commissioner/Community Outreach Coordinator
Name: Kristen Wraithwall
Title: Sustainability Manager
Organization: Yolo County
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Sacramento Valley
Date: September 21, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Session
Case Study

Transformative Climate Communities Grant – City of Ontario

The City of Ontario received $35 million from through the California Strategic Growth Council’s Transformative Climate Communities grant to support its plans to uplift the downtown area in a way that has a profound impact on environmental, economic and health outcomes for local residents.

Organization: City of Ontario
Organization Type: City or County
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

Transformative Climate Communities Grant Supports New Publicly Accessible Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at Affordable Housing Sites in Fresno

The City of Fresno has unveiled 39 new publicly accessible, level II, and fast electric vehicle chargers at 5 different Fresno Housing Authority affordable housing sites.

SGC’s Transformative Climate Communities Program (TCC) has invested approximately $7.7 million to support a low carbon transit system of 24 electric vehicles and 200 electric bicycle shares that provide low- or no-cost services throughout the project area, which will help residents reach key destinations and provide mobility and health benefits to the neighborhood. The investment is part of the Transform Fresno TCC grant.

Organization: California Strategic Growth Council
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin Valley
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Learning Event

TRC for the Rest of Us: Breaking Down Cost-Effectiveness

You may know that cost-effectiveness, and specifically Total Resource Cost (TRC), guides energy efficiency (EE) portfolio decisions, but do you understand how the TRC calculation actually works and why EE programs and projects that benefit your community may not make the cut? In a repeat performance from the 2019 SEEC Forum breakout session on the topic, this webinar will review the history and components of TRC, discuss why understanding TRC is important to successfully leveraging Third Party programs, and explore best practices and alternatives for accurately valuing efficiency, protecting customer funds, and aligning with state policies.

Name: Nicol Manzanares
Title: Program Manager
Organization: The Energy Coalition
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: October 2019
Published in 2019
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Learning Event

TRC for the Rest of Us: Breaking Down Cost-Effectiveness

Everyone has been told that cost-effectiveness, and specifically Total Resource Cost (TRC), guides portfolio decisions, but do you understand the TRC calculation and why the programs that benefit your community may not make the cut? This session will continue the discussion started at the SEEC Forum in 2018. The panel will review the history and components of TRC, the impact that relying on the TRC has on energy efficiency programs, and what national best practices could improve California’s approach. The panel will also raise alternatives for how to accurately value efficiency, protect customer funds, and align with state policies.

Speakers:

  • Nicol Manzanares, The Energy Coalition
  • Lara Ettenson, Natural Resources Defense Council
  • Chris Ford, The Energy Coalition
  • Lou Jacobson, Redwood Coast Energy Authority
Name: Nicol Manzanares
Title: Program Manager
Organization: The Energy Coalition
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA, Nonprofit Organization
Region: North Coast, Statewide
Date: 06/26/2019
Published in 2019
Topic Areas: Financing/Funding, Internal Funding Best Practices
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2019 SEEC Forum Resources
Technical Assistance Provider

U.S. Department of Energy Better Buildings: Outdoor Lighting Accelerator (OLA)

An organization offering free technical assistance to local government professionals, who has the willingness, capacity, and expertise to be contacted by local government energy and climate peers/professionals to share knowledge in the following types of programs, projects, or policies: Cities participating in the Outdoor Lighting Accelerator demonstrated practical and effective best practices to accelerate the adoption of high-efficiency outdoor lighting and improve system-wide replacement processes at the municipal level. Cities worked together and with DOE to drive analysis, secure funding, and install outdoor lighting systems. Partners developed best practice approaches to system-wide upgrades as well as addressed issues that limit investment in high-efficiency technologies such as financing and utility tariff-rates.

The eligibility restrictions are the following: None.

Organization: U.S. Department of Energy Better Buildings: Outdoor Lighting Accelerator (OLA)
Organization Type: Federal Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Learning Event

Uniting Data and Community: San Diego’s Climate Equity Index

This panel discussion will cover the process in which the City of San Diego co-developed the first-of-its-kind Climate Equity Index (CEI) in partnership with 32 community-based organizations and nonprofits, to better understand and map out the impacts of climate change at the community level. The discussion will cover the CEI results, process of co-developing, first-hand account from CBOs, detailed information on amount of staff time and budget to develop the CEI, and how the CEI has used the CEI to inform City policy and define Communities of Concern. This will be a conversation around equity, environmental justice, embedding equity in institutional processes, and forging non-traditional partnerships.

  • Roberto Carlos Torres (Moderator), Institute for Local Government, Senior Program Manager
  • Patrice Baker, Groundwork San Diego, Community Outreach Director
  • Dr. Cindy Lin (She/Her), Business for Good, Environmental Health Committee Lead & Board Member
  • Randy Wilde, City of San Diego, Office of Mayor Todd Gloria, Senior Policy Advisor
Name: Roberto Carlos Torres
Title: Senior Program Manager
Organization: Institute for Local Government
Organization Type: City or County
Region: San Diego
Date: September 22, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Environmental Justice, Outreach and Engagement, Partnerships
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Session
Learning Event

Unlocking Electrification Opportunities in Southern California’s Multifamily Housing Market

Name: Scott Broten
Title: Director
Organization: ICF
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Greater Los Angeles
Date: 6/13/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Local Governments, Nonprofit, Residential
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
Learning Event

Upsizing Electrification Potential, Not Panels: Addressing Barrier of Panel Upgrades

For many homes the electrical transformation does not need to be as daunting as is commonly thought. They will understand that many homes are capable of transitioning away from gas appliances without electrical service upsizing and be provided the tools and strategies to minimize the need to upsize electrical panels. We will share a suite of existing technologies and strategies that work within the constraints of existing panel capacity, including ‘watt-diet’, circuit sharing, low wattage appliances, and whole building controls among other options. We will also discuss electrification plans to provide options and alternatives to specific scenarios that a homeowner, contractor or utility needs to address to avoid panel upsizing as much as possible. Last, attendees will learn how policy changes and program design can drive a better-optimized approach to panels and service upsizing, as well as, how to employ limited finances, time, and services effectively and equitably across communities.

Speakers

  • Jenny Low, Build It Green, Program Manager
  • Abhijeet Pande, TRC, Vice President for Research and Technology Commercialization
  • Laura Feinstein, SPUR, Sustainability and Resilience Policy Director
  • Emily Alvarez, StopWaste, Program Manager
Name: Jenny Low
Title: Program Manager
Organization: Build It Green
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Date: 06/13/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Residential
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
Best Practices

Using Community Energy Data to Drive Program Success

Best practices implemented: understand local market conditions; define and locate hard-to-reach customers and target programs accordingly, as appropriate; conduct sufficient market research.

Organization: SEEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2014
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

Valencia Gardens Energy Storage (VGES) Project

The Clean Coalition is leading the Valencia Gardens Energy Storage (VGES) Project. This groundbreaking project, located in a low-income and senior housing community in the heart of San Francisco, will showcase how front-of-meter (FOM) energy storage can be effectively deployed in dense, developed urban environments.

Organization: The Clean Coalition
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities, Residential
Best Practices, Case Study

Virtual Beacon Award Ceremony (2020)

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.

Name: Fran Pavley
Title: Senator
Organization: State of California
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Statewide
Date: 10/27/2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2020 CCEC Forum Resources
Learning Event

Virtual Office Hours: Local Natural Gas Reduction Options

Local energy and climate practitioners interested in learning about reach code and other approaches to lowering natural gas emissions were invited to participate in a discussion-driven learning opportunity hosted by Statewide Best Practices Coordinator, Angie Hacker, and featured local leaders and topical experts. The event occurred on April 23, 2020 @10am-noon.  View more information and additional resources. 

Name: Angie Hacker
Title: Best Practices Coordinator
Organization: SEEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Date: April 2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Learning Event

Visualizing Illumination Photometrics in an Equitable Environment

Name: Nick Mesler
Title: Solutions Engineer
Organization: Evari GIS Consulting
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Date: September 22, 2022
Published in 2022
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2022 CCEC Forum Poster
Case Study

Washington State Clean Buildings Program

On 2019, the Clean Buildings bill (HB 1257, 2019) was signed into law with the objective to lower costs and pollution from fossil fuel consumption in the state’s existing buildings, especially large commercial buildings. The law requires the Washington State Department of Commerce to develop and implement an energy performance standard for these buildings and provide incentives to encourage efficiency improvements.

Name: Emily Salzberg
Title: Managing Director of Building Unit
Organization: Washington State Department of Commerce
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Out of State
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Commercial
Case Study

Washington State Early Adopters Incentive Program

The Early Adoption Incentive program began July 1, 2021 and applies to non-residential, hotel, motel, and dormitory buildings greater than 50,000 SF. The program offers available incentives, customer support and funding from the state to administer the program. Equity played a big role in the development of the incentive program. The state focused on community engagement, and spoke to CBO’s and building owners on what to do to ensure access was broadened and participation increased. As a result, half of the incentive funds in the program are distributed to the reservation system, for multifamily buildings, and other rural buildings, etc. A thing to note is that not all multifamily buildings fall under mandatory standards, but can participate in incentive programs.

Name: Emily Salzberg
Title: Managing Director of Building Unit
Organization: Washington State Department of Commerce
Organization Type: State Government/Agency
Region: Out of State
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Disadvantaged Communities
Learning Event

Webinar: Grid Modernization – Global Insights & Local Solutions

This event was hosted by the California Climate & Energy Collaborative (CCEC), in conjunction with the Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition (LGSEC), on November 29 from 3:00-4:30 pm PST. This webinar features a series of speakers from around the globe discussing common challenges and potential solutions as governments worldwide seek to transform their electric grids for a decarbonized future. Covered topics include the complex dynamics of grid transformation, the capacity of the grid to handle electrification, the role of microgrids in a decarbonized grid, and the potential of public-private partnerships to help streamline the energy transition. With a diverse array of speakers and topics, this webinar has something to offer for anyone interested in the future of our energy system!

Title: Grid Modernization: Global Insights & Local Solutions
Organization: CCEC, LGSEC
Organization Type: City or County, Federal Government/Agency, Other Private Sector Business
Region: Statewide
Date: November 29, 2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Distributed Energy Resources, Renewable Energy & Storage
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Best Practices

What are resources local governments can leverage for energy efficiency activities?

  • Your utilities: The Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs) of the state are Administrators of ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programming, which includes financial incentives and technical assistance for energy efficiency activities. The IOUs also work with local governments on special projects under the Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan, through local government partnerships (see examples here). Contact your utility to learn more. Publicly-owned and municipal utilities also often provide incentives and support for energy efficiency. (If you don’t know who at the utility level you should be contacting, contact the Coordinator.)
  • Regional Energy Networks (RENs) and other EE Program Administrator: So far, the non-IOU Administrators of energy efficiency programming are BayREN, SoCalREN, and the Consumer Choice Aggregator (CCA) Marin Clean Energy (MCE).
  • State Agencies: You can see energy-relevant resources and workshops offered by the California Energy Commission (CEC), the CA Air Resources Board (CARB, or ARB), and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) by clicking on these links. A great 101 EE overview of the makeup and resources of these agencies, presented by Jody London, is available here.
  • Federal agencies: Check out posts on this website of the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)’s State and Local Climate Action newsletter, which shares a digest of funding announcements and webinars provided by different federal agencies.
  • Consider developing an energy efficiency fund: A great way to find funding for energy efficiency is to take the savings from a funded, implemented energy efficiency project, and develop a fund for further projects. For resources on this – and example funds led by California local governments, click here.
Organization: SEEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2016
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Best Practices, Learning Event

What Do We “SEEC” Next? An Interactive Forum Closing

Another SEEC forum is in the books and the SEEC program as we’ve known it is sunsetting after a decade of success. Join us to celebrate all we’ve learned together and help us think into a promising new chapter for CA local government energy efficiency collaboration. This event will feature updates from each SEEC NGO, IOU representatives, new tools to help you access useful information, and a listening session where you can help drive what we do next.

Name: Angie Hacker
Title: Statewide Energy Efficiency Best Practices Coordinator
Organization: Local Government Commission
Organization Type: Governmental Association, Electric Utility or CCA, Nonprofit Organization
Region: Greater Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Statewide
Date: 11/17/2020
Published in 2020
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit
Additional notes of interest: 2020 CCEC Forum Resources
Best Practices

What does Local Government action on energy efficiency look like?

  • Develop an energy efficiency, sustainability, or climate action plan: A plan is a power tool to transparently set goals, get the many stakeholders of energy projects on the same page, optimize project selection, and check baselines to ensure you can measure project success. Follow the strategic planning or climate action plan links for more resources covering planning, and for examples of climate action plans drafted and adopted by other California local governments. SEEC also provides trainings on use of the no-cost ClearPath tool for development of a strong climate action plan.
  • “Lead by example” and make EE improvements to the City: Implement energy efficient improvements in your own buildings. Improvements may include capital equipment upgrades (to lighting fixtures, boilers, air conditioning units, fan or pump motors, wastewater or other industrial facility energy-consuming equipment), or retro-commissioning of how that equipment works (e.g., checking the setpoint temperatures, scheduling, and staging of equipment, ensuring controls are working properly, testing and balancing, etc.).

EE improvements may be integrated into existing capital planning – EE improvements may also paired with clean energy installs or a campaign to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by implementing an employee carpool program.

If you’re looking for data on the most cost-effective project to start with, it may be a good idea to benchmark your buildings first and learn what buildings are using what amounts of energy. For more information on benchmarking, visit the Benchmarking Resources page. Looking for benefits of benchmarking? Check out this post.

Some local governments may prefer to start leading by example by implementing a program to encourage energy-efficient employee behavior (e.g., encouraging turning off the lights, using energy efficient computer setting, or low hot water usage). For best practices in implementing successful behavioral programs, see this post.

  • Educate, promote and support EE improvements in the community: Local governments are a critical source of information and organization for their communities. Local governments can support residential, commercial, industrial, and/or agricultural energy efficiency by promoting programs offered by the state, utilities and others, or by offering programs themselves. Programs may include community challenges and campaigns motivating behavioral changes, residential or small business assessments, direct installs, or incentives for energy efficient lighting or HVAC, green business programs, and more.
  • Set ordinances or local codes that raise the bar on EE in the city and community: California’s energy code (aka California’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards, or Title 24, Part 6) spurs energy efficiency by requiring energy efficiency construction. Your jurisdiction can raise that bar even higher by adopting a Tier 1 or Tier 2 “reach” code to set energy efficiency requirements 15 or 30 percent higher than the energy code. Or, rather than taking a percent-above approach, you can hone in on measures or specific installs that may clarify the requirements and help you meet goals in your climate or energy action plan (for example, requiring solar photovoltaics, or cool roofs). For more on this see reach codes.
  • Support and increase EE code compliance: The energy code is a major driver of energy savings – but your community won’t see the benefits if it’s not enforced. Make sure your building department staff know the current energy code, and consider what your jurisdiction can do to encourage compliance from the building community – including technical assistance and energy efficient recommendations during plan review (either by city staff or by a volunteer buildings or energy community committee), online permitting, permitting expediting or fee reductions, and/or connection to energy efficiency incentives.

ll of these types of activities are actions promoted under the CPUC’s California Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan.

For numerous examples of what actions local governments are taking, check out Local Government on the EE Strategic Plan.

Organization: SEEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2016
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Guide

Why do Local Governments Care About Energy Efficiency?

Local government leaders across California are motivated to further energy efficiency (EE) goals for a number of different reasons:

  • Cost Savings: One of the top motivating factors that speaks to everyone is cost savings. Using less energy means spending less money on energy. Spending less on energy reduces overhead, frees up funds for other projects, and reflects smart, responsible management. Energy efficiency is the gift that keeps giving, since the amount you save is not a one-time event: if a $100,000 energy-efficient lighting project saves you $20,000 per year on your utility bills, you will continue to save $20,000 a year over the lifetime of the project – and you will have paid off the project’s cost in $100/$20 = 5 years.
  • Health Benefits: Reducing energy used reduces emissions, which can improve air quality. (For more on air quality, click here.) Energy audits and building improvements also improve buildings’ functioning.
  • Sustainability and Climate Change: Avoiding wasted energy is good for the environment. Energy efficiency is the most cost-effective way to cut greenhouse gas emissions (for more on energy efficiency’s role in greenhouse gas emissions reductions and climate change mitigation see the California Energy Commission (CEC)’s 2015 Integrated Energy Policy Report (IEPR)‘s first chapter highlighting EE as the focus of the report).

See even more reasons – including resiliency, job creation, local economic development, and operational benefits (comfort, savings) in this SEEC presentation on Why Energy Efficiency.

Organization: SEEC
Organization Type: Nonprofit Organization
Region: Statewide
Published in 2016
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency
Sectors Targeted: Local Governments
Case Study

Windsor Energy PAYS® program

The Town of Windsor’s Windsor Energy PAYS® program allows residents and businesses to finance water and energy saving upgrades with no up-front cost and immediate savings on utility bills. Average customer savings amount to $30 per utility bill, 10% reduction in energy use, and 20% reduction in indoor water use, generating estimated annual savings of 9.2 million gallons of water, 88,000 kWh, and 25,000 therms.

Organization: Town of Windsor
Organization Type: City or County
Region: North Coast
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Residential
Case Study

Workforce Education & Training Program

Marin Clean Energy’s Workforce Education & Training (WE&T) Program provides a mentor/worker matching service and online resources and training for contractors. MCE’s WE&T Program aims to match people seeking a career in a long term and growing industry with local contractors, with benefits that incentivize both parties. Job seekers get paid on the job experience while contractors get to have a trial period before hiring a permanent employee. Further, contractors have access to on the job training on tips and tricks on electrification and home performance.

Name: Jennifer Green
Title: Manager of Customer Programs
Organization: Marin Clean Energy
Organization Type: Electric Utility or CCA
Region: San Francisco Bay Area
Published in 2021
Topic Areas: Workforce Development
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Local Governments, Residential
Learning Event

Zero Emission Fleet Transition: Roadmap

Name: Scott Maloni
Title: Client Director
Organization: Black & Veatch
Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business
Region: San Diego
Date: 06/13/2023
Published in 2023
Topic Areas: Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility
Sectors Targeted: Commercial, Local Governments
Additional notes of interest: 2023 CCEC Forum Resources
Filters
Reset
Reset
Reset
Reset
Reset
Reset

Filtered results will include all opportunities that meet at least one filter selected within a category, and will also show opportunities that meet 2+ filters across multiple categories.