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Learning from Tribes in San Diego
In June, California Climate Investments staff participated in a Clean Transportation Tribal and Rural Tour, in partnership with Tribal communities across San Diego County. The two-day tour provided a valuable opportunity to build government-to-government relationships by actively listening and learning directly from local Tribal leaders and communities about their transportation needs and environmental priorities. Our staff attended the tour alongside nearly 50 representatives from across the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and other state and local agencies.
Throughout the tour, we heard clearly that building lasting relationships rooted in transparency is a priority for Tribes. We also learned about unique challenges related to waiving sovereign immunity, reliable power, transportation infrastructure, local geographies, and accessing grant funding.
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Award Announcements
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The Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program
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The Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program published its Round 1 grant award announcements which include five projects funded by California Climate Investments:
Community Resilience Center and Extreme Heat Response: $1.5 million for heat-resilient play spaces and a cooling center. Panorama Park Sprayground: $1.9 million to build a safe and cooling recreational space for residents during extreme heat events. Cooling Amenities and Programs in LA County Parks: $3.9 million to build cooling infrastructure and provide extreme heat resilience programming at three Los Angeles County parks. SolarCHHILL: Cooling and Heating Homes with Innovative, Low-Impact Living: $2.3 million to install solar-powered air conditioning in homes of senior residents and those with chronic health conditions, with a focus on members of Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians. Solar Power, Shaded Solar Parking Structures, Battery, & Natural Native Trees/Plants: $3.4 million to install a microgrid system on the Torres Martinez Reservation for reliable cooling during extreme heat events and power outages.
The program also announced the upcoming release of its Round 2 funding. Nine community input sessions were held in July and August to inform the program's design, and additional outreach sessions will be held for applicants when the notice of funding availability (NOFA) is released.
Follow California Climate Investments on social media (@CAClimateinvest) to be notified when Round 2 of the Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program is open.
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Forest Health Program
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The Forest Health Program awarded $72 million to 12 grants, with 75% of the projects benefiting priority populations. In addition to reducing wildfire risk and enhancing carbon sequestration, the projects aim to:
Protect watersheds and improve water quality Conserve habitat for endangered species Recover fire-scarred and drought-impacted forests Reintroduce fire as a natural ecological process Provide forestry jobs and professional learning opportunities
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Community Air Grants
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In May, the Community Air Grants Program awarded a record $20.9 million to 43 nonprofit community groups and four Tribes.
What the program does: Builds local capacity to identify and reduce sources of harmful air pollution in the state's most pollution-impacted regions. Why this funding round is important: The program has expanded to serve more communities consistently nominated for air quality support. What types of projects were funded: Air quality assessments, emissions reduction plans, monitoring technologies, outreach and engagement, pesticide exposure research, youth job training opportunities, and more.
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Community Air Protection Program
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California Climate Investments is funding community air protection efforts in 19 communities that suffer from the highest levels of air pollution in the state. The Community Air Protection Program's annual progress report includes updates on local projects and clean air strategies funded by the program.
Since 2017, the program has directed $632 million towards more than 9,000 incentive projects, with 85% of the funding reaching disadvantaged and low-income communities. The program is also achieving emission reductions through new air district rules and regulations. Explore the interactive StoryMap that features highlights from the six participating air districts.
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Funding Opportunities
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The following programs have funding available. Visit the program pages below or the California Climate Investments Resource Portal for more information.
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Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEV) and Charging
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California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project
Accepting applications from 8/5/25 - 10/29/25
Offers incentives for publicly available electric vehicle (EV) chargers. Charging equipment, planning, installation, and other eligible costs can be covered.
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Energy Infrastructure Incentives for Zero-Emission Commercial Vehicles
Accepts applications on a rolling basis
Provides reimbursement style grants to infrastructure projects that deploy ZEV charging or refueling for commercial fleets. Fleet operators, technology providers, and installers can participate.
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Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency
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Self-Generation Incentive Program
Accepts applications on a rolling basis
Offers incentives for installing paired solar and energy storage technology at low-income residential properties. Available to any low-income residential electric and/or gas customer in California.
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TECH Clean California
Accepts applications on a rolling basis
Single family heat pump HVAC and heat pump water heater incentives are now available. Customers must work with qualifying contractors to install equipment and receive the incentives.
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Low-income Weatherization Program
Accepts applications on a rolling basis
Multi-family properties that provide housing to low-income individuals are eligible for technical assistance and incentives for energy efficiency and solar installations.
Farmworker households may be eligible for no-cost direct installation of energy efficiency measures, solar water heating, and solar systems.
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Investments in Action
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Increasing the Flexibility and Cost-Effectiveness of Biomass Conversion
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's (CAL FIRE) Wood Products and Bioenergy Business and Workforce Development Grants Program granted Caribou Biofuels half a million dollars to develop their mobile biomass conversion unit. This innovative technology will process excess fuels in forest undergrowth and agricultural biomass. The unit provides an alternative to burning and composting biomass, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions and sequesters carbon.
Read the full story to learn how this technology can mitigate climate change and improve land management practices.
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Delivering Automotive Pre-Apprenticeship Training Programs in the Bay Area
The California Workforce Development Board's High Road Training Partnerships Program granted half a million dollars to the Jewish Vocational and Career Counseling Service to support the continued development of its automotive pre-apprenticeship training program. The project focused on strengthening partnerships, building upon early program successes, and improving the Bay Area program's design.
Read the full story to learn more about how workers are gaining the skills needed to enter high-demand careers as automotive mechanics and machinists.
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Shoreline Restoration in Bayview Hunters Point
With funding from the Climate Ready Program, the City of San Francisco transformed a former industrial building in the Bayview Hunter's Point neighborhood into a mixed-use shoreline park. The India Basin Waterfront Park includes a restored wetland habitat, climate adaptation features, and community gathering spaces.
Read the full story to learn more about the community and climate-centered park.
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Media Features
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Connecting Communities in West Sacramento
On May 29, the City of West Sacramento opened the Sycamore Trail Overpass, a cycling and pedestrian bridge that connects the city's northern and southern communities. With rail lines and freeways bisecting the city, the overpass now makes it possible for residents to walk and cycle across town. This project received funding from the Urban Greening Program and is part of a larger effort to improve the region's active transportation options.
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Celebrating 10 Years of the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program
The Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program is a key component of California's efforts to develop more affordable housing across the state. By developing housing near transit and connecting residents with clean transportation options, the program is also supporting the state's climate goals.
Since the beginning of the year, the program has already celebrated six Grand Openings and five Groundbreakings.
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Informing Public Health Decisions with Hyper-Local Air Pollution Data
Mobile air monitoring fleets, funded through CARB's Statewide Mobile Monitoring Initiative, are hitting the road in 64 pollution-burdened communities across the state. By collecting block-by-block air pollution data, CARB and its community partners are helping to inform public health decisions and address environmental disparities. The fleet will monitor air quality for nine months, and project results are expected to be presented in May 2026.
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Meet our Summer Fellow
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Zoie Chang has joined the California Climate Investments team for the summer as a Shultz Energy Fellow from Stanford University. Her fellowship is focused on researching carbon removal projects. Zoie is completing a Civil and Environmental Engineering MS at Stanford, with an emphasis on Energy and Atmosphere. Thank you, Zoie, for your contributions to the team!
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Read past newsletters in our archive. | Subscribe to stay updated on California Climate Investments.
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California Climate Investments is a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Invest, formerly known as Cap-and-Trade, dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.
Copyright © 2025 California Climate Investments. All rights reserved.
California Air Resources Board · 1001 I Street · Sacramento, CA 95814 USA
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