California Energy Grants

The purpose of this solicitation is to fund an applied research and development project that will support research to assess the impact of consolidated packages of electrified retrofit measures on air quality and other related impact categories, including resilience to extreme heat, indoor comfort, and energy and cost savings in California homes. Description: This research will identify and assess non-energy benefits of home electrification and evaluate key stakeholders’ (e.g., residents, contractors) experience with the retrofitting process. Ultimately, this work will provide guidance on how these benefits could be considered in strategies and decisions to retrofit or replace gas-fueled appliances with electric. The proposed research is intended to provide crucial support to the state’s efforts to address challenges in building decarbonization and to minimize air quality impacts to its residents. The research responds to the 2021-2025 California Energy Commission (CEC) Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) Investment Plan research initiative “Evaluating Air Quality, Health, and Equity in Clean Energy Solutions.” CEC’s California Building Decarbonization Assessment report, required by Assembly Bill 3232 (Friedman, Chapter 373, Statutes of 2018) suggests that efficient electrification in California’s buildings presents the most readily achievable pathway for this sector to achieve a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gases relative to 1990 levels by 2030 (Kenney, et al. 2021). The same report acknowledges significant challenges associated with residential building decarbonization including high upfront costs, potential for increased utility bills, limited awareness of technology options and their benefits, constraints faced by renters, and systemic inequality faced by low-income and disadvantaged communities. There are many non-market factors to consider in decisions to retrofit or replace appliances, such as the non-energy benefits of home electrification (e.g., health, comfort, and household economics) that many are not aware of. Additionally, there are many not-yet characterized potential benefits of electrification retrofits in existing homes (e.g., improved air quality). These existing homes pose challenges — as well as enormous potential benefits — related to electrification; however, they are not typically covered under the Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, which apply only to new buildings and buildings undergoing permitted upgrades. Improvements in indoor air quality and related health outcomes are of particular importance to populations in low-income and disadvantaged communities, which are often disproportionately burdened by energy-related air pollutants. For example, in August 2023, the operating lives of three once through cooling (OTC) fossil gas power plants were extended through 2026 to provide reserve generation during power emergencies (CalMatters 2023, California Energy Commission 2023) and the emissions from OTC smokestacks can impact the outdoor and indoor air quality of residents living near those plants. In addition, wildfire-generated air pollution poses an added threat, possibly compounding already existing air quality issues in these communities. Eligibility Requirements Eligible Applicants: Business Individual Nonprofit Other Legal Entity Public Agency Tribal Government This solicitation is open to all public and private entities with the exception of local publicly owned electric utilities. Eligible Geographies: No local publicly owned electric utilities. Matching Funding Requirement: Match funding is required in the amount of at least 5% minimum of the requested CEC funds.

This grant provides funding to organizations working to improve environmental justice and community resilience in underserved areas of Arizona, California, Nevada, and Hawaii by addressing issues like air quality, water contamination, and public health disparities.

This grant provides funding to organizations involved in battery production and energy storage innovation to establish a pilot manufacturing facility in California, promoting advanced lithium-ion battery technologies for clean energy solutions.

This grant provides financial support and mentorship to early-stage cleantech entrepreneurs in the Midwest who are developing innovative solutions to promote economic growth and environmental sustainability.

This program provides financial incentives for California businesses to replace outdated refrigeration systems using harmful high-GWP refrigerants with more environmentally friendly ultra-low-GWP alternatives.

This grant provides funding to public and private entities in California to develop fast electric vehicle charging stations, particularly in underserved communities, to support the state's transition to zero-emission transportation.

This program provides financial support to small businesses in Los Angeles County's Second District that have faced significant disruptions to their operations due to external events over the past year.

This grant provides financial assistance to small businesses in Vallejo that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically for security improvements.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Santa Clara that provide education on energy efficiency and building electrification, particularly targeting underserved communities.

This program provides funding for collaborative projects led by teachers in California to rejuvenate the teaching profession, enhance teacher leadership, and create a positive impact in under-resourced schools.

This grant provides funding to organizations and businesses in California to develop and enhance publicly accessible hydrogen refueling stations, promoting the use of fuel cell electric vehicles.

This funding opportunity is designed to support projects that install electric vehicle charging infrastructure in multi-family housing, particularly benefiting residents in disadvantaged or low-income communities across California.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations training electricians in California to install electric vehicle charging equipment, helping to meet the growing demand for skilled labor in the state's EV infrastructure.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for California ports and related entities to install zero-emission vehicle charging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure, prioritizing projects that benefit disadvantaged communities and encourage participation from underrepresented businesses.

This grant provides funding to various organizations in California to develop training programs that enhance the skills of the residential energy efficiency workforce, focusing on electrification and energy-efficient technologies.

This funding initiative provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in San Diego to implement clean energy projects that promote sustainability, improve air quality, and enhance workforce development in disadvantaged communities.

This grant provides funding to organizations and businesses for the installation of high-powered electric vehicle chargers along California's major highways, promoting sustainable transportation and reducing emissions.

This grant provides funding for projects that create charging and hydrogen refueling stations for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles along key highways in California, focusing on benefiting disadvantaged and low-income communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local projects in California focused on implementing strategies to combat tobacco use in communities disproportionately affected by the tobacco industry, including African American/Black, Asian/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Latino, LGBTQ+, and rural populations.

This funding opportunity is designed to support research projects that help California transition away from natural gas by exploring alternatives and strategies for decommissioning gas infrastructure in residential and commercial sectors.