The SLECC Priority Area Pages are in a Beta Test version. We welcome all feedback using either the survey link below or by clicking on any of the key challenges or potential solutions to provide comments on an individual item!
The clean energy transition refers to the shift from fossil fuel-based energy systems (coal, oil, natural gas) to renewable and low-carbon energy sources like solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and energy storage technologies. This transformation involves changes in how we generate, distribute, store, and consume energy across all sectors—electricity, transportation, heating, and industrial processes.
California’s clean energy transition is crucial for meeting both local and state goals. The current energy system emits greenhouse gases and causes other environmental impacts including air, water, and soil pollution. Participants in SLECC engagements prioritized expanding local renewable energy and building decarbonization.
The State has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, targets that have been similarly set by over 250 local governments. The clean energy transition is fundamental to these targets, as the electricity sector represents a major source of emissions that can be effectively decarbonized through renewable energy deployment. With advances in storage technology and grid modernization, renewable energy increasingly provides reliable power while protecting against price volatility. The transition also supports California’s goal of maintaining economic leadership while reducing emissions. Clean energy industries create local jobs, attract investment into regions, and position the state as a global leader in emerging technologies like battery storage, electric vehicles, and smart grid systems. Clean energy development helps reduce local air pollution, particularly in disadvantaged communities, directly improving community health outcomes and addressing environmental justice concerns. Further, State and local government entities and utilities can achieve direct and long term operational savings by implementing clean and distributed energy resources on their facilities, which supports affordability for both taxpayers and ratepayers.
This priority area is relevant to the function of:
California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requiring 60% renewable electricity by 2030 has driven massive renewable deployment. The state’s cap-and-trade program provides market incentives for emissions reductions, while building codes increasingly mandate solar installations and energy efficiency. Large solar and wind projects have dramatically reduced costs through economies of scale. California now regularly achieves periods where renewables meet 100% of electricity demand during peak production hours. Aggressive storage mandates and declining battery costs have made California a global leader in grid-scale energy storage, helping solve renewable intermittency challenges.
The federal Inflation Reduction Act, before being dismantled, catalyzed significant investment and tax credits to support grid modernization, domestic solar manufacturing, solar access, home energy rebates, etc.
Local-level leadership has advanced progress in the State’s clean energy transition, propelled by a strong sense of urgency and importance in many regions. Initial CPUC investment in local government partnerships two decades ago supported energy and climate capacity at the local level. Since then, enormous progress is being made through community choice aggregation (CCA) programs and municipal utilities that purchase cleaner electricity for utility customers at lower rates, Regional Energy Networks that are transforming the market for efficiency and distributed energy resources, municipal building codes that exceed state standards, innovative solar financing and energy efficiency programs, and municipal solar and efficiency installations. Recent regional technical assistance programs support locally led clean energy progress. Local workforce and job training programs are building the market capacity to continue addressing clean energy in buildings. Local plans are engaging community stakeholders deeply to achieve community benefits alongside aggressive energy targets. Participants highlighted major progress in recent years in the development of wind, solar, and storage. Some regions, like the Inland Empire, emphasize their potential to implement much more, while others, like the Bay Area are more constrained and are looking at infill project opportunities.
To achieve the desired future outlined above, California will need to accelerate climate action across CA. Participants share that several key barriers impede progress and require further attention, as detailed below: Interconnection & Energization Processes, Grid Infrastructure, Investment Decisions, Funding, Siting & Permitting, Supply Chain, Assistance Coordination, Residential Decarbonization & Affordability, Workforce, Data Access, Codes & Standards, Community Microgrid Deployment and Utility Structure. On the left, toggle through these barriers to view details about challenges experienced across the state and solution opportunities at the state and local level.
Help us to expand our database. Either share new ideas, best practices or general feedback via this form, or click on a particular item to share additional feedback, information, examples of progress on that particular item.
Please share any additional resources you would like to include by emailing eecoordinator@civicwell.org.
Local and tribal governments are struggling to implement renewable projects due to outdated distribution and transmission systems operating at or near capacity. The core issues include insufficient “hosting capacity” for new distributed energy resources like solar and EV charging, utility interconnection backlogs creating 2-3 year delays for basic capacity studies, and opaque processes that leave communities frustrated with unclear timelines and requirements. While California’s grid operator estimates $30.5 billion in transmission investments are needed to meet 2045 clean energy targets, the transmission development process itself takes over a decade, creating a fundamental mismatch between clean energy ambitions and grid modernization timelines. Communities feel that everyone is on their own and that California lacks a clear plan, roadmap, or vision (enforced by an authorized agency) to drive a sustained clean energy transition while balancing interconnected factors like affordability, reliability, workforce development, and technology.
View related challenges SLECC stakeholders have experienced across the state.
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by local leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
Local or State
Participate in regulatory venues to raise awareness of the problems.
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by state leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
Local or State
Explore ways to incentivize or provide incentives for customers to share their energy usage data to improve distribution system visibility;Consider legislative or regulatory approaches to make it easier for local agencies and developers to access customer energy data while addressing privacy concerns
Local or State
CPUC and CEC work together to improve IOU processes for project approval and to achieve consistent, enforceable, faster and more transparent process and timeline related to their position in aninterconnection queue;Identifyopportunities to leverage existing programs or initiatives;Bring together distinct agenciesand conversations toinventory plans and goals andcreate a clear vision or plan for how CAwill achieve its 2045 goals
Local Government Sustainable Energy Coalition has established a working group specifically focused on addressing interconnection and grid capacity issues affecting local governments.The working group is reviewing the Resiliency and Reliability proceeding, advocating for better data on reliability concerns. They highlight the need for transparency from utilities and state agencies on outage locations, causes, responses, cost analysis, and available safeguards.
View related challenges SLECC stakeholders have experienced across the state.
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by local leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
Local or State
Local monitoring and coordination – Calls for community-level monitoring and planning to align infrastructure upgrades with electrification and resilience needs, instead of fragmented project-by-project upgrades
Local or State
Regional governance alignment – Establish regional planning tables so local governments, CCAs, and utilities coordinate grid modernization strategies rather than acting in silos
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by state leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
View related challenges SLECC stakeholders have experienced across the state.
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by local leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
Local or State
Leverage trusted local organizations – Work with CBOs and tribal entities to ensure investment decisions reflect community priorities, rather than being top-down utility-driven
Local or State
Regional governance collaboration – Local governments recommended stronger regional planning frameworks to align clean energy investments with community needs, rather than fragmented or utility-controlled decision-making
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by state leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
Local or State
Fund grid modernization linked to DERs – State-level infrastructure upgrades should prioritize local storage, distributed generation, and smart grid technologies to enable more distributed investment
Local or State
Provide direct funding for distributed energy – State programs should target funding to distributed resources (e.g., solar, storage, microgrids) instead of primarily subsidizing centralized utility infrastructure
Local or State
Require data center accountability – Prevent data center growth from driving up rates for households by requiring new energy-hungry facilities to cover their own infrastructure costs
Local or State
Address CPUC policy inconsistencies – Stakeholders noted that recent CPUC rulings have discouraged distributed generation; reforms should stabilize policies to build confidence in localized investments
Local or State
Reform utility incentives – Adjust the regulatory framework so IOUs are rewarded for supporting distributed resources (DERs, VPPs, microgrids) rather than only large transmission projects
Local or State
Technical assistance for small agencies – Offer ongoing technical and financial support so under-resourced jurisdictions can participate in and benefit from distributed energy investments
The Project Delivery Program helps cities, counties, water agencies, school districts, and others overcome barriers to energy efficiency and eventually lead by example. It does this by filling project management, technical assistance, and financing gaps in existing utility efficiency programs at no cost to the recipient. The program is provided by the Southern California Regional Network (SoCalREN), which offers a wide variety of customized energy efficiency support services to public agencies in Southern California with an emphasis on underserved communities. Eligible customers must receive service from SoCalGas and/or Southern California Edison.
The SoCalREN project implementer works closely with public agency decision-makers and technical experts to support the entire project from identification of a site through completion. This includes conducting audits, developing technically feasible and cost-effective efficiency interventions that will create persistent energy savings (e.g., interior and exterior lighting controls, water controls optimization, retrocommissioning, HVAC upgrades), supporting construction management, and creating project buy-in. Participating agencies also gain access to the collective knowledge and expertise of the SoCalREN network, which provides access to best practices and lessons for reducing costs and overcoming common barriers. For its diverse range of buildings served, high percentage of projects in underserved communities, and variety of services offered, SoCalREN’s Project Delivery Program is a Leader of the Pack.
Key accomplishments and program features:
View related challenges SLECC stakeholders have experienced across the state.
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by local leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
Local or State
Build capacity for CCAs and local governments to access and manage multiple funding opportunities.
Local or State
Create Point-of-sale and direct-install solutions: Recommendations include shifting incentives to the point of sale so customers can access discounts immediately, especially during emergency repairs like water heater replacements. They also highlighted direct-install programs as critical for equity, noting that after-the-fact rebates primarily serve wealthier households. Expanding point-of-sale financing and free direct-install options for disadvantaged communities would reduce upfront cost barriers and accelerate adoption.”
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by state leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
Local or State
Develop a statewide AI-driven concierge service (e.g., NODE Collective, Rock Rabbit efforts) to consolidate local, state, and federal incentives.
View related challenges SLECC stakeholders have experienced across the state.
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by local leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
Local or State
Educate communities about energy options and management to improve awareness
Local or State
Community engagement beyond check-box – Ensure permitting and siting decisions involve early, authentic engagement of local and tribal communities, not procedural consultation
Local or State
Focus on local energy generation (15% of renewable targets from locally-sourced energy)
Local or State
Localized infrastructure investment – Upgrade local water and energy systems to relieve pressure on remote lands where large-scale projects are often sited
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by state leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
Local or State
Harden infrastructure in rural/tribal lands – State investment in safer, more resilient siting of storage and grid infrastructure to reduce fire risks and ecological harms raised by communities
Local or State
Provide resources for equitable engagement – Fund translation, childcare, and participation support so marginalized communities can meaningfully engage in siting processes
On June 11, 2025, the California Energy Commission voted unanimously to approve a permit for the country’s largest solar and battery project to date Wednesday via a new permitting process to streamline certain renewable energy projects.
The Intersect Power’s Darden Energy Project in the southwestern Central Valley includes solar panels that can generate 1,150 megawatts, roughly enough to power 862,500 homes, as well as a giant battery that can keep those homes powered for four hours and a substation to connect to the grid.
The vote is the first project approved under a new opt-in streamlined permitting process established by a 2022 state law, AB 205. The law is aimed at shortening review timelines and circumventing local opposition in service of California’s goal to rid its grid of greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. AB 205’s new one, stop, 270-day certification process is explicitly in lieu of any permit, certificate, or similar document required by a state, local, or regional agency, or federal agency, to the extent permitted by federal law, for those facilities. That is, the law effectively sidesteps local permitting obstacles. (source)
In deference to local authorities, the legislation does require the Energy Commission to forward applications to a local government having land use and related jurisdiction in the areas of the proposed site and related facility and would require the local agencies to review the application and submit comments on the application, as provided. The legislation further authorizes local agencies to request a fee from the Energy Commission to reimburse the local agency for the actual and added costs of the review by the local agency. (source)
This is not an example of state-local coordination, but rather an example of the state imposing a solution to sidestep a role normally under local jurisdiction. State and local leaders should monitor this project and others approved under this new certification to determine whether this was an effective way to fast-track clean energy, or simply another assault on local control.
View related challenges SLECC stakeholders have experienced across the state.
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by local leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
Local or State
Regional collaboration on procurement – Establish regional purchasing consortia so smaller jurisdictions can pool demand and secure better access to scarce clean energy equipment
Local or State
Promote local procurement – Jurisdictions emphasized prioritizing local and regional suppliers where possible to reduce reliance on vulnerable global supply chains
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by state leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
Local or State
Invest in resilient infrastructure – State-led procurement of long-duration storage, grid equipment, and components should include requirements for domestic sourcing where possible
Local or State
Diversify supply chains – State policy should encourage multiple sourcing strategies and diversification away from single-country dependencies for critical clean energy technologies
Local or State
Expand in-state manufacturing and assembly – State programs should incentivize local production of batteries, solar panels, and electrification equipment to reduce exposure to global disruptions
View related challenges SLECC stakeholders have experienced across the state.
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by local leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
Local or State
Integrate and simplify access to water, energy, and resilience incentives through user-friendly tools and “concierge” technical assistance (TA) services. Agencies and local governments should coordinate and stack funding sources behind the scenes so residents and small businesses can access a single, streamlined rebate or direct-install service. Expanding local incentive integration efforts—such as bundled programs or AI-driven platforms that match applicants with the full range of benefits—can reduce complexity, lower administrative barriers, and make multi-benefit upgrades more accessible and equitable.
Local or State
Partner with trusted local entities—such as community-based organizations, Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs), and city sustainability departments—that already have credibility with residents. These partners can serve as resource hubs and navigators to guide households through retrofit, electrification, and resilience programs, ensuring higher participation and equitable access.
Local or State
Increase enrollment in rebate and energy programs.
Local or State
Language access and equity supports – Local programs should ensure translation, interpretation, childcare, and food access so that retrofit assistance is accessible across communities
Local or State
Regional coordination frameworks – Local governments recommended regional collaboration tables to align retrofit funding, permitting, and outreach across jurisdictions
Local or State
Consumer protection and trust-building – Local entities stressed the importance of guarding against scams and misinformation, since past bad actors in solar and retrofit programs have created mistrust
Local or State
Locals should create a toolkit with accessible information for how to go through development processes easier. This would guide these groups through what processes apply to certain projects or not.
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by state leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
Local or State
Empower community-based organizations (CBOs), tribes, and local entities to lead retrofit outreach and assistance programs. State funding should support these trusted partners to scale engagement, build trust, and deliver culturally relevant, community-led services that increase equitable participation in incentive programs.
Local or State
Integrate and streamline state incentive programs by coordinating across agencies such as the CEC, CPUC, and CARB to enable stacking and aggregation of funding behind the scenes. State policy should ensure residents receive a single, streamlined rebate or payment rather than navigating multiple disconnected programs, reducing administrative burden and improving participation in energy and climate upgrades.
Local or State
Scale installation programs – Expand funding for qualified contractor networks to implement coordinated retrofit programs, especially in disadvantaged communities
Local or State
Technical and outreach support – State agencies could develop guidance and resources for local governments and CBOs, including language access and engagement tools, to improve program participation
The Bassett & Avocado Heights Advanced Energy Community (BAAEC) is a groundbreaking five-year demonstration project that addresses environmental justice through community-scale clean energy deployment in two disadvantaged unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. Serving approximately 28,000 residents across 4.7 square miles, the project is funded by a California Energy Commission EPIC Challenge grant and has already provided free solar installations to 34 homeowners while offering 20% average monthly electricity bill savings through its Community Solar program. AdvancedenergycommunityAdvancedenergycommunity These predominantly Latino communities have been disproportionately burdened by pollution from three nearby freeways, the Quemetco battery recycling center, and a nearby landfill, resulting in chronic health issues including asthma and lung cancer, with neighborhoods predicted to experience over 40 additional extreme heat days per year by 2050. Boom CaliforniaHomes
BAAEC employs an integrated approach featuring four main components: Advanced Homes providing up to $50,000 in free energy equipment including solar panels and battery storage managed as a virtual power plant; Community Solar offering 100% local renewable electricity at 20% discounts; a Microgrid Resiliency Hub with 4-5 hours of backup power capacity; and Clean Transportation including EV charging infrastructure and zero-emissions mobility services expected to reduce annual emissions by 30.5 MTCO2e. Basset/Avocado Heights Advanced Energy Community (BAAEC) The project also demonstrates innovative technologies like blockchain-enabled carbon credit trading and real-time vehicle emissions monitoring while prioritizing community engagement through youth advocacy programs and leadership academies that train residents to become energy champions.
Led by The Energy Coalition in partnership with organizations including ActiveSGV, UCLA’s California Center for Sustainable Communities, and GRID Alternatives, BAAEC serves as a replicable model for just energy transitions that simultaneously address climate goals and environmental justice. AdvancedenergycommunityAdvancedenergycommunity The project’s success stems from breaking down structural barriers common in disadvantaged communities—including high levels of renters, lower-income and limited-English-speaking residents—through comprehensive community engagement, cultural competency, and elimination of upfront costs. By centering authentic community partnership while deploying cutting-edge clean energy technology, BAAEC demonstrates how ambitious climate goals and community empowerment can be achieved together, providing valuable lessons for scaling similar initiatives across California and beyond.
View related challenges SLECC stakeholders have experienced across the state.
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by local leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
Local or State
Incorporate energy efficiency measures in older buildings (e.g., retrofits for roofs, appliances, insulation).
Local or State
Support innovative retrofit technologies:
Plug-and-play 120V heat pumps upgradeable to 240V.
Battery-integrated stoves for resilience.
Alternative form factors for heat pump water heaters.
Local or State
Integrate affordability into CAPs – Local governments recommended explicitly including energy affordability metrics and protections in climate action plans to prevent inequities during electrification
Local or State
Work through trusted CBOs – Ensure that CBOs and local navigators deliver outreach for decarbonization programs, particularly in low-income and rural communities
Local or State
Target affordability gaps during heat events – Community voices noted that high bills force families to choose between cooling and safety. Local programs should pair resilience hubs, cooling access, and bill assistance during extreme heat
Local or State
Invest in neighborhood-scale retrofits – Promote programs that provide deep retrofit packages (electrification + efficiency) at the community scale to reduce household bills
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by state leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
Local or State
Expand affordability-focused programs that provide direct financial support for low- and middle-income and tribal households. The State should scale initiatives that subsidize utility bills, offer targeted rebates, and cover up-front retrofit and electrification costs—such as for heat pump installations—to make efficient options accessible year-round and during emergencies. Providing statewide subsidies, not just rebates, can help ensure affordability and resilience for vulnerable households.
Local or State
Develop a coordinated statewide affordability and reliability strategy that links decarbonization goals with household protections from rising energy costs. This framework should align policies across the CPUC, CEC, and investor-owned utilities (IOUs) to ensure unified energy planning that avoids redundant or conflicting infrastructure investments. By integrating affordability, reliability, and decarbonization, the State can protect consumers while advancing a just and efficient energy transition.
Local or State
Protect and reinvest in energy efficiency programs that reduce consumption, lower bills, and provide broad system benefits. For every dollar invested in efficiency, Californians realize roughly four dollars in returns through reduced energy demand, lower infrastructure costs, and avoided generation buildout. Continued investment in energy efficiency—alongside electrification—is essential to maintain affordability and advance decarbonization cost-effectively.
Local or State
Address system cost drivers – State policy should examine utility wildfire liability, transmission expansion costs, and rate structures that drive up bills, and create reforms to stabilize rates
View related challenges SLECC stakeholders have experienced across the state.
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by local leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
Local or State
Community-focused financing for small businesses: Recommendations include a more flexible and diversified funding mechanisms to support local entrepreneurs and small businesses engaged in housing, climate, and resilience projects. Suggestions included public banking and other community-centered financing tools, alongside technical assistance, to provide accessible capital similar to microloans. Such mechanisms would help sustain grassroots initiatives despite the volatility of federal and state funding streams.
Local or State
Use community colleges and universities as regional hubs for sustainability leadership.
Local or State
Educate families about the long-term value of green jobs (salary ranges, stability, benefits).
Local or State
Train and engage local youth in retrofits, solar, and resilience projects.
Local or State
Develop ongoing regional coordination between employers, trainers, and workforce boards.
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by state leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
Local or State
Support regional public–private partnerships that tie training directly to guaranteed job placements.
I-REN focuses on public sector programs, building code enhancement, and workforce development in the Inland Empire. IREN launched its fellowship program dedicated to building capacity and energy comprehension within local public agencies in 2023. In 2024, it has placed 25 fellowship interns in the Inland Empire for energy efficiency projects.
View related challenges SLECC stakeholders have experienced across the state.
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by local leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
Local or State
Integrate equity data into CAPs – Local governments recommended including equity indicators (e.g., affordability, resilience gaps) into climate action plans to fill gaps left by state or utility datasets
Local or State
Community-driven data collection – Empower local residents and CBOs to gather and validate data (e.g., air quality, outage impacts, energy burden) that reflects lived experiences and can complement official datasets
Local or State
Regional data-sharing frameworks – Create regional governance structures that facilitate sharing of energy and climate data across jurisdictions, utilities, and agencies
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by state leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
Local or State
Provide accessible state datasets – Agencies should centralize and release standardized datasets on energy use, utility infrastructure, and climate impacts for local governments to apply in CAPs
Local or State
Harmonize agency requirements – State should align data requirements across regulatory agencies, reducing duplication and delays for local governments trying to update CAPs
Local or State
Capacity support for small jurisdictions – Offer technical assistance and training so under-resourced jurisdictions can access and use state and utility data effectively
Local or State
Mandate utility data transparency – Require utilities to provide timely, standardized, and accessible data on consumption, grid capacity, and supply infrastructure for public planning purposes
View related challenges SLECC stakeholders have experienced across the state.
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by local leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
Local or State
Streamline review and compliance processes – Local governments called for clearer guidance and support to reduce duplicative or inconsistent requirements across jurisdictions when adopting or implementing codes
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by state leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
Local or State
Adopt building and health code updates to mandate or incentivize replacement of gas appliances at point-of-sale or end-of-life.
Local or State
Clarify state authority vs. local authority – State should provide clearer statutory guidance on the extent of local authority to adopt codes under moratorium conditions, to reduce risk of lawsuits
Local or State
Provide templates and model codes – State agencies could issue pre-approved reach code templates that align with state goals and reduce local legal vulnerability
View related challenges SLECC stakeholders have experienced across the state.
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by local leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
Local or State
Leverage municipal EV fleets as resilience assets by pairing their batteries with local microgrids. Coordinated planning to reserve capacity for emergencies, alongside stationary storage at critical facilities, can unlock supplemental energy storage during outages and strengthen community resilience.
Local or State
Deploy solar microgrids with guaranteed battery backup at critical community sites (city halls, libraries, schools, water treatment plants).
Local or State
Prioritize vulnerable communities – Local resilience planning recommended siting microgrids in tribal, rural, and unincorporated communities that are most exposed to outages
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by state leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
View related challenges SLECC stakeholders have experienced across the state.
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by local leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
Local or State
Align CAPs with community power goals – Local climate plans should include explicit pathways for public or community-led energy solutions, helping frame municipalization as part of climate action
SLECC stakeholders have brainstormed the following solution opportunities that can be taken by state leaders. Existing examples of progress or pathways to make further progress are highlighted if known.
Local or State
Fund distributed energy pilots outside IOU control – State can directly fund non-IOU projects (tribal, local government, or CCA-led) to demonstrate alternatives
Local or State
Support CCA expansion – State should provide technical and financial assistance to CCAs, recognizing them as key actors in democratizing energy
