California Climate Investments | Spring 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:
- 2019 Annual Report
- California Climate Investments In the News
- Project Spotlights
- California Climate Investments in the Community
2019 ANNUAL REPORT ON CALIFORNIA CLIMATE INVESTMENTS
On March 26, 2019, the California Air Resources Board released the 2019 Annual Report to the Legislature on California Climate Investments using Cap-and-Trade Auction Proceeds.
The Annual Report describes the status of funded programs and lists the projects funded. It also provides estimates of the GHG reductions expected from project investments and provides key statistics on benefits to disadvantaged communities, demand for funding, and leveraging, fiscal data and program accomplishments.
The new report details how cap-and-trade investments are reducing climate-changing emissions while infusing money into local economies and improving public health and the environment across the state -- especially in disadvantaged and low-income communities.
Nearly $1.4 billion in new funding last year went to projects across all of California’s 58 counties, almost double the $720 million spent in 2017. Projects ranged from creating more fire-resilient communities and ecosystems to installing water-efficient irrigation systems on farms to building more affordable housing and new public transit lines.
To date, $9.3 billion in cap-and-trade proceeds has been appropriated to 20 state agencies that have distributed $3.4 billion to projects that are either completed or under way across the state. These “implemented” funds have leveraged an additional $10.8 billion from other sources. Full press release here.
CALIFORNIA CLIMATE INVESTMENTS IN THE NEWS
CARB staff in Santa Maria, CA to provide latest information to help truck drivers and fleet owners comply with clean air requirements.
California Air Resources Board
Clean Mobility Project
On April 15, 2019, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced a new statewide program that will make it easier for communities to get funding for clean mobility projects to improve their sustainability and quality of life. The program enables smaller groups and communities of concern that may not have the resources available to access funds for clean transportation choices.
The $17 million program focuses on the needs of these communities to provide clean mobility solutions that include smaller scale car- bike- or scooter-sharing projects, and subsidies for transit, or car-hailing companies. The $17 million funds the program for two years. Full press release here.
Low Carbon Transportation Investments
On June 13, 2019, the California Air Resources Board will be holding a public workshop on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019‐20 Funding Plan for Clean Transportation Incentives. This will be the second public workshop in a series of workshops and work group meetings that CARB staff is holding on the FY 2019‐20 Funding Plan.
At the workshop, staff will discuss and seek input on the Governor’s FY 2019‐20 May revision of the budget proposal of $447 million for Low Carbon Transportation Investments and $48 million for the Air Quality Improvement Program. Staff will be posting a Discussion Document outlining its proposals on project categories, funding allocations, and project criteria for this funding before the workshop. For more information on the workshop, visit the website here.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Fire Prevention Grants
On April 16, 2019, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) announced that over $43 million would be awarded to fund 66 local fire prevention projects across the state, with $33 million from California Climate Investments.
The Fire Prevention Grants will enable local organizations like fire safe councils, to implement activities within the community, that address the risk of wildfire and reduce wildfire potential. Funded activities include fuel reduction, wildfire planning, and fire prevention education. For more information visit the CAL FIRE website. Full press release here.
California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery
Food Waste Prevention and Rescue Grant Program
On May 2, 2019, CalRecycle awarded $11 million in grants to 36 local projects that prevent waste, reduce pollution, and combat climate change by providing healthy food to Californians in need. CalRecycle’s program aims to reduce methane emissions by keeping edible food out of California landfills through food waste prevention, donation, and redistribution to the 1 in 8 Californians (including 1 in 5 children) who lack the resources to guarantee their next meal.
The estimated 93 million pounds of food diverted from landfills by these projects equates to about 78 million meals, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Full press release here.
Recycled Fiber, Plastic, and Glass Grant Program
On May 7, 2019, CalRecycle awarded more than $11 million to five businesses in Butte, Fresno, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties to increase the state’s recycling infrastructure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This will create 68 new jobs and utilize nearly 23,000 tons of recycled material per year to manufacture new products.
“Long-term sustainability depends upon our ability to close the loop in California and turn our waste stream into a supply stream for local businesses,” CalRecycle Director Scott Smithline said. “Not only are these projects a great way to repurpose recyclable material and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but they also help diversify our local economies.” Full press release here.
California Strategic Growth Council
Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC)
The Strategic Growth Council and the Department of Conservation will be hosting workshops in June in Modesto, Escondido, and Ventura. The purpose of these workshops is for participants to learn more about SALC grants and to engage leaders from across the region who have deep knowledge about how to best retain our valuable agricultural lands and important farming industry.
The workshops will bring together people from local organizations, government agencies, land trusts, and others to introduce SALC. Discussions will focus on exploring eligible projects, potential collaborations or partnerships, and the technical assistance opportunities that are available for SALC grant applications. For specific dates, times, and locations of the workshops, visit the website here.
California State Coastal Conservancy
Climate Ready Grant Program
The California State Coastal Conservancy’s Climate Ready program is soliciting proposals for planning and implementation of projects that increase resilience to sea level rise. This grant round will prioritize projects that include managed retreat, natural shoreline infrastructure, living shorelines and/or habitat enhancement.
These grants seek to encourage local governments and non-governmental organizations to prepare for a changing climate by advancing planning and implementation of projects that lessen the impacts of climate change, especially impacts to disadvantaged communities.
The State Coastal Conservancy has $2.8 million available for Climate Ready grants. There are no set minimum or maximum grant amounts, but the Conservancy anticipates funding 3-5 projects. Applications are due July 1, 2019. Full announcement here.
PROJECT SPOTLIGHTS
Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP)
The Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP) promotes clean vehicle adoption in California by offering rebates of up to $7,000 for the purchase or lease of new, eligible zero-emission vehicles, including electric, plug-in hybrid electric and fuel cell vehicles.
California consumers are applying for clean-vehicle rebates at a record pace as demand for the cleanest vehicles on the market continues to skyrocket. Electric vehicle rebates in California were 50 percent higher in 2018 than 2017.
Rebates are available to California residents that meet income levels and purchase or lease an eligible vehicle. To find more information, including how to apply, visit the website!
Urban Greening Grant Program
The Urban Greening program funds projects that transform the built environment into places that are more sustainable, enjoyable, and effective in creating healthy and vibrant communities by establishing and enhancing parks and open space.
Project activities include planting trees to sequester carbon and decrease energy consumption, and installing bicycle and pedestrian paths to reduce vehicle miles traveled.Urban greening projects help promote walking and biking, use natural solutions to improve air and water quality, reduce energy consumption, and provide shade and enhance outdoor recreation in communities with higher need.
The program has funded 59 projects, with over $100 million committed to green infrastructure statewide. To learn more about the program, eligibility requirements and solicitation periods, visit the website!
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 Poway, Hawthorne, Stockton, Sacramento, San Fernando, Rancho Cucamonga, Torrance, Fresno, and San Diego.
If there is an event you would like California Climate Investments to attend, please email us at info@climateinvestments.ca.gov.
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
 |  |
