A listing of energy-related financing, incentive, and education programs.
- Financing and Project Assistance for Energy Efficiency in Buildings
- Other Grants for Energy Efficiency
- Renewable Energy Incentive and Education Programs
- Water-related Energy Programs
Financing and Project Assistance for Energy Efficiency in Buildings
Rebuild America: Department of Energy, Energy Renewables Program
Voluntary program that helps community partnerships make profitable investments in existing buildings through energy-efficient technologies. Assists communities with a national network of business and technology experts.
| Contact: | US Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 1000 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20585-0121 |
| Telephone: | 1-800-273-2957 |
Bright Schools Program: California Energy Commission
Collaborative project of the California Energy Commission, California Conservation Corps, local utility companies and other qualifying ESCOs to assist schools to undertake energy efficiency projects. Project staff will guide schools through identifying and determining a project’s feasibility, securing financing for the project, and purchasing and installing the new energy efficient equipment.
| Contact: | California Energy Commission Bright Schools Program Public Programs Office 1516 Ninth Street, MS-26 Sacramento, CA 95814-5512 |
| Telephone: | 916-654-4089 |
| Web site: | http://www.energy.ca.gov/efficiency/brightschools |
Energy Partnership Program: California Energy Commission
Helps cities and counties to reduce energy use in their office buildings, police and fire stations, and other buildings. An initial free feasibility study identifies possible energy efficiency projects.
| Contact: | Virgina Lew California Energy Commission Public Programs Office 1516 Ninth Street, MS 42 Sacramento CA 95814-5512 |
| Telephone: | 916-654-3838 |
| Fax: | 916-654-4304 |
| Web site: | http://www.energy.ca.gov/efficiency/partnership |
Efficiency Financing Program for Local Government, Hospitals, and Schools: California Energy Commission
The California Energy Commission’s Energy Efficiency Financing Program provides financing for schools, hospitals and local governments through low-interest loans for feasibility studies and the installation of energy-efficiency measures. Approximately $40 million is available. Loans can finance up to 100 percent of the cost of energy efficiency projects for schools, hospitals, cities, counties, special districts, or public care institutions.
| Web site: | http://www.energy.ca.gov/efficiency/financing/ |
Savings by Design: California Public Utilities Commission
Savings by Design is a program to encourage high-performance nonresidential building design and construction within the service territories of PG&E, SDG&E, Southern California Edison, or Southern California Gas. The program offers building owners and their design team a wide range of services including design assistance, owner incentives, and design team incentives. Owners and design team members are eligible to participate.
For more information about the program, eligibility, application process, and incentive levels, visit: http://www.savingsbydesign.com/savings-design-program-overview
JOINT POWERS AUTHORITIES (JPA):
California Alternative Energy & Advanced Transportation Financing Authority
CAEATFA was established to promote energy sources designed to reduce the degradation of the environment, and to promote the development and commercialization of advanced transportation technologies. CAEATFA is able to issue tax-exempt and taxable bonds for projects that qualify. CAEATFA offers financing at lower than conventional costs as the interest on the bonds is exempt from federal and state taxes. Applicants should consult with legal counsel and financial consultants to determine if the tax-exempt securities option is the best for the project.
| Contact: | California Alternative Energy & Advanced Transportation Financing Authority Attn: Jan McFarland, Executive Director 915 Capitol Mall, #457 Sacramento, CA 95814 |
| Telephone: | 916-651-8157 |
| Fax: | 916-657-4821 |
| Web site: | http://www.treasurer.ca.gov/caeatfa/ |
California Communities: League of California Cities and California State Association of Counties
California Communities , co-sponsored by the League of California Cities (League) and the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), provides California cities, counties and other public agencies with low cost tax-exempt financing for projects that provide a tangible public benefit, contribute to social and economical growth, and improve the overall quality of life in local communities throughout California.
California Communities offers programs for airports, water/wastewater projects, leases, and the Go-Solar Program.
| Contact: | California Communities 2033 North Main St., Suite 700 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 |
| Telephone: | 1-800-635-3993 |
| E-mail: | info@cacommunities.org |
| Web site: | http://cscda.org/ |
Financing Authority for Resource Efficiency in California (FARECal): California Municipal Utility Association
Provides flexible, joint/pooled financing for energy efficiency, water conservation and water reclamation projects to municipalities and local districts with publicly owned utilities.
| Contact: | California Municipal Utility Association 915 L Street Sacramento, CA 95814 |
| Telephone: | 916-441-1733 |
Other Grants for Energy Efficiency
Urban Forestry Program
Mature trees can reduce summer cooling costs by shading buildings and reducing ambient temperatures. They also improve air quality by absorbing pollutants and can increase property values. California Releaf’s mission is to empower grassroots efforts and build strategic partnerships that preserve, protect, and enhance California’s urban and community forests. California Releaf administers urban forestry grant programs on behalf of the State of California, and provides information about funding for other urban forestry related projects.
| Contact: | California ReLeaf Northern California Branch P.O. Box 72496 Davis, CA 95617 |
| Telephone: | (530) 757-7332 |
| Web site: | http://www.californiareleaf.org |
Renewable Energy Incentive and Education Programs
Emerging Renewables Buy-Down Program: California Energy Commission
This program is designed to help homeowners and other electricity users install “emerging renewal technologies.”
| Contact: | California Energy Commission Media & Public Communications Office 1516 Ninth Street, MS-29 Sacramento, CA 95814 |
| Telephone: | 1-800-555-7794 Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Web site: | http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/ |
Renewable Energy Consumer Education Program: California Energy Commission
The objective of this program is to help build a viable customer-driven market for renewable power through consumer education. The Energy Call Center is available to answer consumers’ questions about renewables.
| Contact: | California Energy Commission Media & Public Communications Office 1516 Ninth Street, MS-29 Sacramento, CA 95814 |
| Telephone: | 1-800-555-7794 Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| E-mail: | renewable@energy.state.ca.us |
| Web site: | http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/ |
Self-Generation Program: California Public Utilities Commission
The Self-Generation Incentive Program is designed to encourage customers of PG&E, SDG&E, Southern California Edison, and Southern California Gas to install “self-generation” units to lessen the electricity load on the grid through distributed power generation. Qualifying systems include photovoltaics, wind turbines, fuel cells, microturbines, small gas turbines and, internal combustion engines.
For online literature, visit: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUBLISHED/FINAL_DECISION/6083.htm
Utility customers should contact their administrator with any questions:
| Contact: | Pacific Gas & Electric |
| Contact: | San Diego Regional Energy Office (for SDG&E) |
| Contact: | Southern California Edison |
| Contact: | Southern California Gas Company |
Water-related Energy Programs
Energy-Water Connection: California Energy Commission
The Energy-Water Connection is dedicated to providing resources to help water professionals control costs. The web site is designed to easily and quickly find information on proven methods and technologies that can help eliminate unnecessary waste of energy and money.
| Contact: | California Energy Commission Energy Efficiency Division Process Energy Unit 1516 Ninth Street, MS-42 Sacramento, CA 95814-5512 |
| Web site: | http://www.energy.ca.gov/process/water/ |