California Climate Investments | Winter 2019
What is California Climate Investments? It's a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment---particularly in disadvantaged and low-income communities.
California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are made in disadvantaged and low-income communities.
For more information, visit www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov
Call us at 800.757.2907 Hablamos Español
In this Edition:
- Best Practices for Community Engagement and Building Successful Projects
- California Climate Investments Student Outreach Ambassador
- California Climate Investments In the News
- Project Spotlights
- California Climate Investments in the Community
BEST PRACTICES FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND BUILDING SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS
On March 12th, 2018, community members, advocates, technical assistance providers, outreach partners, local governments, and State agencies gathered in Riverside for the Community Leadership Summit: Best Practices for Building Successful Projects to discuss how California Climate Investments can fund impactful projects that meet community needs.
The administering agencies outreach staff created this best practices document from conversations that took place at the Summit, and from lessons learned throughout the implementation of CCI programs and projects.
Best Practices for Community Engagement and Building Successful Projects provides guidance for improving responsiveness to the needs of disadvantaged communities, improving community engagement, and states our mutual goals. You can find more information about the summit, and download the document here.
CALIFORNIA CLIMATE INVESTMENTS STUDENT OUTREACH AMBASSADOR
NAME: Isabel
CURRENT ENROLLMENT: Riverside City College
GOAL: Earn B.S. and position at Engineers Without Borders
Isabel—a second-year, trilingual, mechanical engineering student at Riverside City College—has been passionate about environmental issues since she was a small child. Born in Bolivia, Isabel moved to Southern California with her family at age 7. Isabel’s mom created beach and park “clean-up games” for her and her siblings to pick up trash, instilling the importance of taking care of and protecting the environment from a young age. According to Isabel, “growing up with these clean-up events shaped my need to get involved with environmental reform, especially within disadvantaged communities.”
A STEM friend first alerted Isabel to the California Climate Investments (CCI) student ambassador program, for which she applied and was accepted in Fall 2018. Through the CCI student ambassador program, Isabel has had the opportunity to engage diverse audiences in discussion of topics close to her heart. She has given presentations to organizations in her community and to student groups at the University of California, Riverside, and represented CCI while tabling at events like Las Posadas de Riverside Holiday Celebration.
Isabel is on the path to completing her associate’s degree at Riverside City College and transferring to a four-year university to complete her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Upon completing her degree, her goal is to work for Engineers Without Borders, a Boulder, CO-based nonprofit that designs and implements engineering projects worldwide that are community based, community-owned, and community-maintained.
CALIFORNIA CLIMATE INVESTMENTS IN THE NEWS
Low Carbon Transit Operations Program Outreach Workshop in San Diego, CA.
California Energy Commission
Renewable Energy for Agriculture Program (REAP)
REAP will provide $10 million to support onsite renewable energy projects in the agriculture sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Solicitations are open now and applications will be accepted until March 5, 2019 at 5 p.m.
The California Energy Commission offers grants for installing on-site renewable energy equipment such as wind energy and solar installations, with a focus on providing benefits to disadvantaged and low-income communities and households. More information here.
California Natural Resources Agency
Urban Greening Program
The California Natural Resources Agency will also be accepting concept proposals for the Urban Greening Program from January 8, 2019 through February 28, 2019. Approximately $19 million in awards will be funded by this program. Eligibility and program requirements, including online submittal information, can be found here. Technical Assistance Workshops will be held and more information regarding dates and times can be found here.
On October 30, 2018 the California Natural Resources Agency announced $24.7 million in funding for 20 infrastructure projects through the state’s Urban Greening program. The grants support projects that aim to reduce greenhouse gases by sequestering carbon, decreasing energy consumption and reducing vehicle miles traveled. The projects also convert built environments into green spaces that improve air quality and water quality. Ninety-eight percent of the funding was awarded to projects located within and benefiting priority populations such as disadvantaged communities and low-income communities. Full press release here.
Department of Community Services and Development
Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) Community Solar Pilot and Farmworker Housing
The new LIWP Farmworker Housing Component released a Request for Proposal (RFP)for LIWP Farmworker Housing Administrators. The new component of the program will focus on the direct installation of energy efficiency measures and solar PV systems for farmworker households. The Farmworker Housing Component will provide services across 12 counties with the highest farmworker populations. Applications will be accepted until March 7, 2019, to learn more or apply visit the website here.
On August 1, 2018, the California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) released a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) titled “Community Solar Pilot Program.” The NOFA provides up to $5 million in funding for two or more community solar projects to make solar energy available to eligible low-income households, lowering residents’ energy bills, and providing co-benefits to communities, including economic and workforce development. On November 27, 2018, CSD announced its Notice of Intent to Award to two of the seven proposals, GRID Alternatives: Bay Area and Inland Empire, selected as proposed awardees. Full press release here.
California Air Resources Board
Woodsmoke Reduction Program
The Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District (District) is now opening up their Wood Smoke Reduction Program to all residents by offering $1,000 vouchers to replace old, non-EPA certified wood stove, fireplace insert or open-hearth fireplace with an EPA certified woodstove/insert or natural gas, propane, or electric heating device. Low-income residents are eligible to receive a larger $3,500 voucher.
Residents must live within the District’s boundaries and must use their current, old, non EPA certified wood stove, fireplace insert, or open hearth fireplace as the primary source of heat in the home. To apply residents can visit the District’s website.
California Strategic Growth Council
Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program
On December 20, 2018, the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) awarded $46 million to Sacramento and the Los Angeles neighborhood of Pacoima as part of its Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program, which supports community-led, neighborhood-scale development and infrastructure projects that achieve important environmental, health, and economic benefits. Full press release here.
California Department of Transportation
Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP)
The California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) and the Strategic Growth Council (SGC) hosted outreach workshops in regions across the state prior to the upcoming 2018-2019 LCTOP Funding Cycle. Both representatives from transit agencies and local community organizations were invited to attend these workshops to learn about LCTOP and to identify key priority areas for transit funding in the region.
LCTOP Staff also held multiple workshops in January and February on how to complete the Allocation Request for Lead Agencies throughout the State and post sample project types for reference. Please check the LCTOP Website or with LCTOP Staff for dates and samples. Website here.
PROJECT SPOTLIGHTS
Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions (FARMER) Program
The Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions (FARMER) Program provides funding through local air districts for cleaner agriculture-related equipment like harvesting equipment, heavy-duty trucks, agricultural pump engines, tractors, and other equipment used in agricultural operations.
The FARMER program provides financial incentives to reduce emissions from the agricultural sector, yielding positive health impacts for farmers and their communities.
Program updates, including eligible equipment types, funding availability, and how to find your local air district can be found on the FARMER website. You can also contact your local air district with questions or for application deadlines. Visit the website to find out more!
Woodsmoke Reduction Program
The Woodsmoke Reduction Program (Program) offers financial incentives for homeowners to replace old, inefficient, and highly polluting wood stoves, wood inserts, or fireplaces with cleaner burning and more efficient home heating devices.
California residents using uncertified wood stoves/inserts or fireplaces as their primary heat source may be eligible for incentives towards the purchase and installation of qualifying devices. The incentive amounts vary depending on the location of the residence and the household income, with some households qualifying for the full replacement cost.
In order to participate in the Program, applicants will be required to complete an application through their participating Air District Office. Visit the website to find out more!
CALIFORNIA CLIMATE INVESTMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY
The California Climate Investments outreach team has been busy sharing funding opportunities and projects at community events across the state.
During the past quarter, California Climate Investments participated in 9 events in Farmersville, Alviso, Parlier, Harbor City, Fresno, Salinas, Los Angeles, and Merced.
If there is an event you would like California Climate Investments to attend, please email us at info@climateinvestments.ca.gov.
Farmersville Fall Festival (Left) and CalVans Driver Appreciation Day & Resource Fair (Center & Right)
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
For a listing of funding opportunities, Launch the Funding Wizard.
For more information, visit www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov
Or call our hotline at 800.757.2907 Hablamos Español
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