California Climate Investments | Fall 2018
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:
- California Climate Investments In the News
- Project Spotlights
- California Climate Investments in the Community
- Funding Opportunities
CALIFORNIA CLIMATE INVESTMENTS IN THE NEWS
Investment Plan Workshops
Representatives from state agencies held two workshops in September 2018 in Fresno and Los Angeles to obtain public input for the Draft Cap-and-Trade Auction Proceeds Third Investment Plan: Fiscal Years 2019-20 through 2021-22. The workshops discussed the Investment Plan, which provides guidance to the Legislature on potential funding opportunities and highlights the successful implementation of previous Investment Plans through the current California Climate Investments programs. These investments are a critical step on California’s path to transform our neighborhoods and communities.
Since 2012, the Governor and the Legislature have appropriated over $8 billion in California Climate Investments funding received through the State’s Cap-and-Trade auctions.
Full draft of the Third Investment Plan here. For more information about the Investment plan, click here.
Funding Guideline for California Investments
In August of 2018, the California Air Resources Board released final funding guidelines for California Climate Investments (CCI). Over 20 State agencies use these guidelines as they develop programs and select projects that support sustainable communities, clean transportation, clean energy, waste diversion, healthy forests, and sustainable natural and working lands. The guidelines ensure CCI are spent to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, benefit the most vulnerable communities, and do so in transparent way. For more information about the Funding guidelines, click here.
California Department of Community Services and Development
Community Solar Pilot Program
The California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) has posted final Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) Program Guidelines and a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the FY 2017-18 Community Solar Pilot Program. CSD will provide up to $5 million in funding for two or more community solar projects for the purposes of making the benefits of solar energy more available to eligible low-income households, lowering residents’ energy bills, and providing co-benefits to communities, including economic and workforce development. The LIWP Program Guidelines, NOFA, and other related material may be viewed here.
Proposals in response to the NOFA must be received by October 2, 2018 no later than 5 p.m.
California Strategic Growth Council
Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program
In June of 2018, the Strategic Growth Council (SGC) announced awards of more than $257 million to 19 new projects around the state to build affordable homes and make it easier for Californians to walk, bike, and use transit. Each project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help more Californians live closer to the things they need every day, such as jobs, grocery stores, health care facilities, and more. Full press release here.
Transformative Climate Communities Program
The SGC and the California Department of Conservation are pleased to open Round II of the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program, which includes grants for planning and implementation. Funded through Climate Investments, TCC empowers the communities most impacted by pollution to choose their own goals, strategies, and projects to enact transformational change. The application deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 30, 2018. Full press release here.
California Energy Commission
Food Production Investment Program
In July of 2018, the Energy Commission announced it would be supporting research to help food processors in the state save energy and money while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The program will provide up to $57 million in grants to help accelerate the adoption of advanced energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in the food processing industry. Visit the Program website.
California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery
Organic Grants Program
In July of 2018, the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) awarded more than $25 million in CCI to bolster organics recycling infrastructure in the state and rescue edible food for Californians in need. The projects in 10 California communities are set to transform nearly a half-million tons of discarded food, green waste, and other organic materials into value-added products like biofuel, compost, fertilizers, and other soil amendments. CalRecycle’s Organics Grant program helps fund construction, renovation, or expansion of facilities in California that recycle organic material into products like compost and renewable energy. Full press release here.
PROJECT SPOTLIGHTS
Clean Vehicle Assistance Program
The Clean Vehicle Assistance Program (CVAP) provides grants and affordable financing to help low-income Californians purchase a new or used hybrid or electric vehicle. The goal is to make clean vehicles accessible and affordable to all who qualify.
Grants for hybrid cars are $2,500, and grants for electric and plug in hybrid cars are $5,000. Consumers that purchase a battery electric vehicle automatically qualify for a Level 2 charging unit and its home installation free of charge.
Once an individual qualifies for a grant, CVAP can help get a fair and transparent loan if one is needed. The preferred lender, Beneficial State Bank, has committed to providing loans at an 8% or lower interest rate for a clean vehicle purchase. Grants do not need to be repaid. The remaining balance on the loan will need to be repaid according to the loan terms.
The project was made possible through a grant from the California Air Resources Board funded by CCI. The CVAP program is a partnership with Beneficial State Bank, a fair and transparent lending partner. Their goal is to help build social and environmental prosperity by providing fair and transparent loans and financial services to individuals, businesses and nonprofits.
Visit the website to find out more! #CVAP
Fire Prevention Grants Program
The California Conservation Corps removing hazardous fuels in Butte County.
Through California Climate Investments' Fire Prevention Grant Program, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) aims to reduce the risk of wildland fires to habitable structures and communities, while maximizing carbon sequestration in healthy wildland habitat and minimizing the uncontrolled release of emissions emitted by wildfires.
Funded activities include: hazardous fuel reduction, fire planning, and fire prevention education with an emphasis on improving public health and safety while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
In August of 2018, CAL FIRE awarded $170 million to help reduce fire threats and improve forest health as part of California’s goal to reduce greenhouse gases. More than 100 agencies and organizations across California will receive funding to help the state reduce greenhouse gas emissions from wildfires and sequester carbon.
Funds provided by California Climate Investments awarded 142 fire prevention grants totaling $79.7 million and 23 forest health projects totaling $91.5 million. Full press release here.
For more information visit their 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 11 events in Diamond Bar, Fresno, Garden Grove, Los Angeles, Moreno Valley, Pasadena, San Diego, Santa Cruz, and Santa Rosa.
If there is an event you would like California Climate Investments to attend, please email us at info@climateinvestments.ca.gov.
41st Assembly District Block Party (Left), Community Welcome Day (Center), Mayor of Moreno Valley, CA (Right)
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
For a complete 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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