Local Energy Resources Network (LERN)

LERN Meeting #55

LERN’s 55th meeting will take place on August 10th, 2026 | 11:00am – 12:15pm. In addition to our normal roundup of active funding, assistance and input opportunities, the agenda will be as follows:

11:00 am – Welcome and Opportunity Roundtable 11:10 am – Spotlights
- Emily Searl, UC Davis, EMPOWER Procurement Product Evaluation Hub
11:15am – Featured Discussions – ACEEE takeaways
- Emily Alvarez, Program Manager, Stop Waste
- Amaury Berteaud, Director of Sustainable Programs, AMBAG
11:55 am – CCEC Updates
12:00 pm – Informal Bonus Breakout

The California Climate and Energy Collaborative (CCEC) hosts monthly Local Energy Resources Network (LERN) meetings every second Tuesday from 11am – 12pm to exchange knowledge, resources, input, and opportunities to help California local governments pursue their energy and climate goals.

California local governments and those who work with them on energy and climate goals are welcome to participate in these interactive, 1-hour meetings. Meetings will feature roundtable peer announcements, a review of timely assistance opportunities, featured speakers who will share information and solicit feedback on relevant funding and other assistance opportunities. Moderated by the Statewide Best Practices Coordinator, this event will also conclude with a 10 minute “ask the BPC” to submit requests for help identifying energy or climate information or support that can help you pursue your goals.

You only need to complete the sign up form once.

Past Meeting Resources

View the recordings, presentation slides, and additional materials from previous meetings.

Learning Event

LERN Meeting 55:

The Local Energy Resources Network held its 55th meeting, focusing on energy and climate opportunities for local governments. Angie Hacker, the Statewide Best Practices Coordinator for the California Climate and Energy Collaborative, led the meeting and provided updates on funding opportunities. The meeting featured a spotlight presentation from Adam Jue of Prospect SV, a short panel with Emily Alvarez and Amaury Bertrand sharing key takeaways from the ACEEE Summer Study, and a short presentation by Emily Searl from UC Davis introducing the Empower Procurement Product Evaluation Hub.

Organization: CCEC

Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business

Region: Statewide

Presentation Slides Recording Event Resources

Date: August 11, 2026

Published in 2026

Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding, Renewable Energy & Storage

Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit

Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources

Learning Event

LERN Meeting 54:

The Local Energy Resources Network held its 54th meeting, focusing on energy and climate opportunities for local governments. Angie Hacker, the Statewide Best Practices Coordinator for the California Climate and Energy Collaborative, led the meeting and provided updates on funding opportunities. The meeting featured presentations from California Energy Commission representatives on key initiatives: Gabriel Taylor discussed the California Building Energy Performance Strategy Report. Jacqueline Jones presented on the non-energy impacts informational proceeding. The meeting also covered the Distributed Electricity Backup Assets Program and concluded with Kelsey provided a wrap-up on the recent CCEC forum, noting over 500 attendees representing 243 organizations from 134 California cities.

Organization: CCEC

Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business

Region: Statewide

Presentation Slides Recording Event Resources

Date: July 14, 2026

Published in 2026

Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding, Renewable Energy & Storage

Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit

Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources

Learning Event

LERN Meeting 53:

This meeting was the 53rd LEARN Local Energy Resources Network session focused on energy and climate opportunities for local governments in California. Angie Hacker, the Statewide Best Practices Coordinator for the California Climate and Energy Collaborative, led the session which covered timely funding opportunities, recent policy changes, and featured discussions with state agencies. The meeting began with a comprehensive review of current funding opportunities including grants from Strategic Growth Council, California Energy Commission, and CAL FIRE, followed by a detailed spotlight on the significant implications of CARB’s recent hearing decisions regarding the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF). Steve Hansen from Lighthouse Public Affairs explained how CARB’s changes to cap-and-invest program rules could potentially reduce GGRF revenues by $1.65 billion, significantly impacting emission reduction grants that local governments depend on. The session then featured Fritz Foo from the California Energy Commission discussing the EPIC program and its upcoming 5-year investment plan (2026-2030), with nine draft initiatives covering areas like transportation electrification, distributed energy resources, and industrial decarbonization. Victoria Morin from the City of Cupertino presented a successful case study on their municipal utility management and public dashboard implementation, demonstrating how they used AI-powered software to streamline utility data tracking across 450 accounts and create transparency for city council and the public. The conversation ended with announcements about upcoming events including the CCEC Forum in LA and a special SLECC meeting focused on stuck projects and funding opportunities.

Organization: CCEC

Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business

Region: Statewide

Presentation Slides Recording Event Resources

Date: June 9, 2026

Published in 2026

Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Data Requests and Analysis, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Energy Efficiency, Financing/Funding

Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit

Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources

Learning Event

LERN Meeting 52:

The Local Energy Resources Network (LEARN) held its 52nd meeting focused on energy and climate initiatives across California. Angie Hacker led the meeting, which featured two main presentations. Eric Fournier from UCLA presented on the Data Access Working Group report, discussing recommendations for improving data access for distributed energy resources and addressing privacy concerns. Ben Stapleton from USGBC California presented on building performance standards, highlighting their work with over 50 California municipalities through a peer collaborative and introducing their California Building Performance Hub. The meeting included discussions about various funding opportunities, including Caltrans’ Active Transportation Program and upcoming grants from Strategic Growth Council. Participants also discussed challenges with AB802 benchmarking compliance rates and the effectiveness of state versus local benchmarking ordinances.

Organization: CCEC

Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business

Region: Statewide

Presentation Slides Recording Event Resources

Date: May 12, 2026

Published in 2026

Topic Areas: Codes and Standards, Data Requests and Analysis, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Financing/Funding

Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit

Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources

Learning Event

LERN Meeting 51:

The 51st meeting of the Local Energy Resources Network, hosted by Angie Hacker and the California Climate and Energy Collaborative, focused on energy and climate initiatives across the state. The meeting covered several key topics, including funding opportunities, such as the California Energy Commission’s Reliable Electric Charging for School Buses program and the CAL FIRE Forest Health initiative. Adrienne Moratz from the California Strategic Growth Council provided details on the Plastic Pollution Mitigation Fund, which will allocate $500 million annually for ten years to address plastic pollution impacts. Kelly Meza Prado from the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation outlined the Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Grant program, offering $27.5 million for infrastructure projects aimed at addressing extreme heat. Luana Medina, representing LA County, updated attendees on the launch of the Equitable Building Decarbonization Program in Southern California, which aims to decarbonize homes in under-resourced communities. The meeting also included updates on the California Energy Commission’s Electrification Summit and energy benchmarking requirements, and Kelsey from the collaborative announced upcoming registration deadlines for the CCEC forum.

Organization: CCEC

Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business

Region: Statewide

Presentation Slides Recording Event Resources

Date: April 14, 2026

Published in 2026

Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Financing/Funding

Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit

Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources

Learning Event

LERN Meeting 50:

The meeting focused on energy affordability tools and resources, featuring presentations from PSE, California Energy Commission, and Just Solutions. Eunice from PSE introduced their National Energy Affordability Tool, which allows users to analyze energy costs and affordability at the census tract level. Martin from the California Energy Commission presented the Energy Affordability Index, a metric that accounts for household size and transportation costs to better measure energy affordability. Elena from Just Solutions shared their Energy Affordability Policy Library, which compiles state and local policy options for improving energy affordability. The speakers discussed various tools and strategies for addressing energy affordability challenges, including household protections, residential decarbonization measures, utility reform, and funding mechanisms. The conversation ended with an announcement about the upcoming forum and an invitation for participants to share their thoughts or needs in a bonus breakout session.

Organization: CCEC

Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business

Region: Statewide

Presentation Slides Recording Event Resources

Date: March 10, 2026

Published in 2026

Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Codes and Standards, Energy Efficiency, Energy Resilience, Financing/Funding, Rates and Affordability

Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit

Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources

Learning Event

LERN Meeting 49:

The Local Energy Resources Network meeting covered various funding opportunities, policy updates, and upcoming events related to climate and energy initiatives across California. Spotlights included Taylor from California Forward presented the Resilience District Incubator, seeking pilot communities to explore resilience district models; Lawrence from the Building Decarbonization Coalition highlighted the upcoming Heat Pump Week in April, aiming to increase awareness and adoption of heat pumps across the state; and Sean Kennedy shared details on the Strategic Growth Council’s factory-built housing pilot program, which offers grants for regional off-site construction strategies. Our feature presentation was given by Emily Alvarez, who discussed Bayren’s new statewide Home Energy Score program, which aims to expand access to home energy scores beyond the Bay Area.

Organization: CCEC

Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business

Region: Statewide

Presentation Slides Recording Event Resources

Date: February 10, 2026

Published in 2026

Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Energy Efficiency, Energy Resilience, Financing/Funding

Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit

Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources

Learning Event

LERN Meeting 48:

The Local Energy Resources Network meeting covered various funding opportunities, policy updates, and upcoming events related to climate and energy initiatives across California. Key discussions included affordable housing programs, natural catastrophe resilience efforts, and updates on building codes and standards, with particular attention to electrification requirements and local jurisdictional authority. The conversation ended with presentations on wildfire mitigation programs and code-related updates, including concerns about the Energy Choice Act’s potential impact on local government policies.

Organization: CCEC

Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business

Region: Statewide

Presentation Slides Recording Event Resources

Date: January 13, 2026

Published in 2026

Topic Areas: Codes and Standards, Energy Resilience, Financing/Funding

Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit

Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources

Learning Event

LERN Meeting 47:

The meeting focused on local energy and climate initiatives, with discussions about federal funding impacts and state revenue strategies for climate investments. Presentations covered various tools and resources for tracking climate action progress, including a new GHG inventory tool and microgrid systems in Alaska, while highlighting successful case studies and economic benefits of renewable energy. The session concluded with discussions on messaging campaigns and implementation challenges, emphasizing the need for broad-based coalitions and innovative financing models to advance climate goals.

Organization: CCEC

Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business

Region: Statewide

Presentation Slides Recording Event Resources

Date: December 9, 2025

Published in 2025

Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Energy Efficiency, Energy Resilience, Financing/Funding

Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit

Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources

Learning Event

LERN Meeting 46:

The meeting, led by Angie Hacker, covered various funding opportunities and initiatives related to energy and climate goals, including a presentation on the Drive Forward Initiative by Larry from CARB. Participants discussed feedback opportunities for 2026 planning and were surveyed on their satisfaction with CCEC’s services, which include technical assistance and networking opportunities. The meeting also covered upcoming events like the CCEC Forum and introduced programs like SLECC and REACH, which aim to coordinate state and local efforts on energy and climate goals.

Organization: CCEC

Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business

Region: Statewide

Presentation Slides Recording Event Resources

Date: November 18, 2025

Published in 2025

Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Electric Vehicles and Clean Mobility, Financing/Funding

Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit

Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources

Learning Event

LERN Meeting 45:

The 45th meeting of the Local Energy Resources Network covered updates and opportunities in California’s energy and climate initiatives, including discussions on federal funding cuts, policy changes, and upcoming grant programs. Participants shared information on various workshops and events, while also addressing concerns about grant funding competitiveness and the implications of proposed decisions for specific projects. The conversation ended with an overview of recent legislative actions and budget allocations, including discussions on future priorities and coordination efforts.

Organization: CCEC

Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business

Region: Statewide

Presentation Slides Recording Event Resources

Date: September 10, 2025

Published in 2025

Topic Areas: Climate Planning, Financing/Funding, Policy

Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit

Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources

Learning Event

LERN Meeting 44:

The 44th meeting of the Local Energy Resources Network focused on community benefits agreements (CBAs) as a tool for local energy and climate initiatives, with a panel of experts discussing their implementation and potential benefits. Updates were provided on various funding opportunities for clean energy infrastructure projects, including grants and incentive programs from state agencies. The meeting also covered a zonal decarbonization pilot program and explored the role of CBAs in energy projects, emphasizing the importance of partnerships, transparency, and tailored approaches based on local dynamics.

Organization: CCEC

Organization Type: Other Private Sector Business

Region: Statewide

Presentation Slides Recording Event Resources

Date: September 10, 2025

Published in 2025

Topic Areas: Building Decarbonization, Climate Planning, Financing/Funding

Sectors Targeted: Local Governments, Nonprofit

Additional notes of interest: LERN Resources