SB 535 – California Climate and Energy Collaborative

ARB Public Workshops Beginning 8/9: Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEP) Policy to Benefit Disadvantaged Communities

July 26, 2016

ARB, environmental justice, events, SB 535, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, underserved communities, workshops

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) invites you to participate in a public workshop to discuss updates to ARB’s Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEP) Policy to benefit disadvantaged communities. A SEP is an environmentally beneficial (more…)

CEC 6/3 Workshop on SB 350 Barriers: Agenda Available

June 1, 2016

Sarina Soor

ARB, CEC, energy efficiency, environmental justice, events, SB 350, SB 535, underserved communities, webinars, weekly updates, workshops

The agenda for the CEC’s June 3rd event on SB 350 Barriers is below. For information on how to attend click here. AGENDA: Public Workshop on Senate Bill 350 Barriers Study (more…)

Energy Efficiency and Social Justice: How Energy Efficiency Can Serve Underserved Communities

April 20, 2016

Sarina Soor

ACEEE, best practices, cap-and-trade, EE community programs, EE programs, energy efficiency, environmental justice, funding, GGRF, local government partnership, Local Governments in Action, publications, SB 535, solar, strategic planning, underserved communities

A report came out from ACEEE today finding that energy costs take up a greater percent of income in African-American, Latino, low-income, and low-income multi-family and renter households. The report looks at 48 cities across the United States – including Los Angeles, (more…)

Best Practices and Lessons Learned in Energy Efficient Housing Development

March 25, 2016

Sarina Soor

ARB, best practices, cap-and-trade, energy efficiency, environmental justice, funding, GGRF, multi-family, residential, SB 535, stakeholder engagement, transportation, underserved communities, weekly updates

Hundreds of millions of dollars are being made available through cap and trade auction proceed allocation to the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program, which funds land-use, housing, transportation, and land preservation projects that support infill and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. (More background here). These funds represent a huge opportunity for local governments – particularly…

Annual Report is Released Detailing 2015-16 Cap and Trade Auction Proceed Expenditures

March 14, 2016

Sarina Soor

ARB, cap-and-trade, EE programs, energy efficiency, environmental justice, funding, GGRF, publications, SB 535, underserved communities

California’s Department of Finance has released an Annual Report detailing the outcomes of close to $2.6 billion appropriated from Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) to state agencies in 2015 and 2016. $1.7 billion has been allocated to greenhouse gas (GHG)-reducing programs and projects expected to save 14.3 million tons of GHGs, with investments in high speed rail…

Map of Disadvantaged Communities as Designated by CalEPA

March 6, 2016

Sarina Soor

CalEPA, cap-and-trade, environmental justice, funding, GGRF, SB 535, underserved communities

Knowing what communities in your jurisdiction have been designated as disadvantaged can be important for understanding what funding streams may be available for energy efficiency and sustainability projects. A map of disadvantaged communities is available on the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) website, here. A list of disadvantaged communities is also available in Excel…

Cap-and-Trade Auction Proceeds Second Investment Plan Available from ARB

January 20, 2016

Sarina Soor

ARB, cap-and-trade, environmental justice, financing, funding, GGRF, incentives, SB 535, underserved communities

After months of public comment and review, the Air Resources Board’s Cap-and-Trade Auction Proceeds Second Investment Plan: Fiscal Years 2016-17 through 2018-19 is available. The Plan provides an overview of the State’s responsibilities, requirements and goals when reinvesting using the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) – or the State’s cap and trade auction proceeds. The Governor’s…

Cap and Trade Guidance from the Institute for Local Government (ILG)

August 15, 2015

Sarina Soor

cap-and-trade, energy efficiency, environmental justice, GGRF, publications, SB 535, SEEC, transportation, underserved communities

This publication from the Institute for Local Government, Cap and Trade: Investing in California’s Communities, provides a helpful overview of cap and trade funding to date across the transportation, energy efficiency, and natural resources sectors. Project eligibility for the 2014-15 funding cycle and eligible project examples are shared. For more on cap and trade funding, click…

Fact Sheet: How Your Community Can Benefit from SB 535

December 6, 2014

Sarina Soor

cap-and-trade, environmental justice, funding, GGRF, publications, SB 535, underserved communities

A fact sheet covering SB 535 direction of funds to disadvantaged communities is available from UpliftCA, here. UpliftCA is a volunteer nonprofit created by The Greenlining Institute in partnership with the SB 535 Coalition, led by the Asian Pacific Environmental Network, Coalition for Clean Air, The Greenlining Institute and Public Advocates. Click here for more…