Mid-Year Data Update; Welcoming New Programs; Save the Date: Public Workgroup Meeting; New Cal Fleet Advisor program; Come Meet the California Climate Investments Team!
California Climate Investments in Action Pulitzer-nominated Cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz Animates for California Climate Investments Program; Meet the CCC: Growing the Green Energy Work Force; California Ramps Up Wildfire Prevention Work; Land Trusts Announce Formal Conveyance of Nyland Property; New Charging Depot Can Power 32 Heavy-Duty Electric Trucks at the Same Time
Project profiles
September 22 is Native American Day in California – Read about California Climate Investments Projects developed by tribes
To honor Native American Day, read about four California Climate Investments projects that highlight the work of tribes across the state. These project profiles showcase examples of work undertaken by tribes to preserve natural and cultural landscapes, create healthy and resilient places, and improve transportation access for tribal members.
Since 2022, the California Environmental Protection Agency has included lands under the control of federally recognized tribes in its designation of disadvantaged communities. California Climate Investments programs are focused on providing multifold benefits to the state’s most disadvantaged communities and low-income communities and households, collectively referred to as priority populations. Many programs have expanded access to learn about additional projects underway across the state.
California Climate Investments is proud to highlight a handful of the intrepid projects being developed or led by tribes. Select the name of each program below to read the full project profile or visit the Project Profiles Map to learn about additional projects underway across the state.
California Climate Investments provided over $500 million in first half of 2023 for projects that combat climate change, strengthen communities
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has released the 2023 California Climate Investments Mid-Year Data Update, reporting implementation of 7,300 new projects totaling over $511 million from December 2022 through May 2023. Projects implemented in this period are expected to result in more than 1,000 new affordable housing units, over 1.2 million tons of waste diverted from landfills, and over 16,000 new urban trees planted.
Since the first appropriations to California Climate Investments programs were made in 2014, there have been 569,000 projects supported by $9.8 billion in implemented funds that are expected to reduce an estimated 98.0 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent and more than 86,000 tons of criteria air pollutants. To date, 74 percent, or $7.2 billion, of California Climate Investments funds are benefiting priority populations.
Welcoming new California Climate Investments programs: Budget Act of 2023 provides over $2.2 billion to California Climate Investments programs
The Legislature passed and the Governor signed the 2023 Budget Act (Senate Bill 101 and Assembly Bill 102), appropriating $2.2 billion from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) for new and existing California Climate Investments programs. These new appropriations will support equitable decarbonization, the transition to zero-emission transportation, improving public health through pollution reduction, extreme heat mitigation, wildfire prevention, energy resilience, and more.
The Budget Act of 2023 appropriated funds for existing California Climate Investments programs such as Low Carbon Transportation, Community Air Protection, Healthy Soils, Low-Income Weatherization Program, and the Low Carbon Economy Workforce Program and to establish new California Climate Investment programs including Green Schoolyards and Zero-emission Transit Capital.
A few existing programs previously funded through other funding sources, such as the California Public Utilities Commission’s Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) and Technology and Equipment for Clean Heating (TECH), were appropriated GGRF funds for the first time. The Budget Act of 2023 also includes funding for several California Energy Commission programs new to California Climate Investments that will support equitable building decarbonization, long-term energy storage, equitable at-home charging, and hydrogen infrastructure and fueling.
Additionally, the Legislature passed Assembly Bill 103, amending the 2022 Budget Act to include an additional $128 million from the GGRF for two programs administered by the California Energy Commission focusing on equitable building decarbonization and incentives for industrial decarbonization.
Save the date: Public workgroup to discuss workforce standards for California Climate Investments programs on October 24
California Climate Investments will be hosting a public workgroup on Tuesday, October 24 to discuss the workforce requirements for certain California Climate Investments programs by Assembly Bill 680. This workgroup will summarize takeaways from our summer interagency workgroup series and provide an opportunity to give input on how these standards should be incorporated into the Funding Guidelines, other opportunities to support workforce development and ensure GGRF funds are used to support high-quality jobs, and additional resources that could be helpful for programs and applicants. We encourage members of the community and other stakeholders interested in workforce development policy in California Climate Investments to attend. Read more about this effort on our website.
California state transportation agency awards nearly $800 million for transit and intercity rail projects
CARB and CalStart launched the Cal Fleet Advisor program to help commercial and independent owners and operators of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and fleets make the transition to zero-emission trucks. CARB's Advanced Clean Fleets rule, approved in April, sets the roadmap for a complete shift to zero-emission trucks by 2045. Cal Fleet Advisor offers personalized guidance from experts to support the transition to zero-emission trucks, including individualized action plans that outline the approved technologies and available funding opportunities. Applications are currently open on a rolling basis.
Find California Climate Investments at these Fall events
This fall, CARB’s California Climate Investments team members invite you to join them to connect, collaborate and learn more about various programs administered by more than 20 state agencies that are putting Cap-and-Trade dollars to work to achieve the state’s ambitious climate goals. Our team will be available with factsheets highlighting the programs available to individuals and other applicant types.
View funding opportunities at-a-glance on our updated website
We’ve heard from you and are excited to share that the California Climate Investments website now features open funding opportunities. Each revamped audience webpage includes a list of programs with open funding opportunities. Visit the California Climate Investments programs page to get started.
Time to upgrade: School districts are welcome to apply
for zero-emission school bus transition funding
The Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) still has funding available to provide school districts, charter schools, and other entities up to $495,000 for public school buses and supporting infrastructure. This endeavor is a joint effort by CARB and the California Energy Commission.
The following entities are eligible for this program:
Public School Districts
Public Charter Schools
Joint Power Authorities
County Offices of Education
Division of State Special Schools of the California Department of Education
Go zero-emission with Your landscaping business: Access discount vouchers for clean, zero-emission landscaping equipment through the Clean Off-Road Equipment (CORE) voucher incentive project
Attention small business landscape professionals! Clean Off-Road Equipment (CORE) vouchers are available to upgrade your current landscape equipment for zero-emission alternatives.
Visit the CORE website to see a list of approved equipment and dealers and submit your application today!
Voucher applications are now open for small trucking fleets with up to 20 trucks, offering flexible financing options for zero-emission trucks through the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) Innovative Small E-Fleet Pilot (ISEF)
Voucher applications are now available to privately-owned or non-profit trucking fleets with 20 or fewer trucks to transition to zero-emission trucks through the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) Innovative Small e-Fleet Pilot (ISEF). CARB funds this effort to support small fleets and owner-operators with the transition to zero-emission technologies by reducing upfront costs and providing flexible and innovative options. This initiative offers vouchers, flexible financing, leasing, rentals, and fueling support to help ease the transition towards cleaner vehicles.
Services available through the Low-Income Weatherization Program’s Farmworker Housing Energy Efficiency and Solar PV component
Energy efficiency home upgrades and rooftop solar panel installations are available to farmworker households from the California Department of Community Services & Development’s (CSD) Low-Income Weatherization Program’s (LIWP) Farmworker Housing Energy Efficiency and Solar PV Component. LIWP offers free installation services to eligible low-income farmworker households.
Available Services:
Heating and Cooling | Solar | Weatherization | Appliances and Lighting
Pulitzer-prize nominated Lalo Alcaraz joins El Monte Union High School District students for a clean mobility in schools promotional video
Students from El Monte Union High School lent their voices to El Monte School District's Clean Mobility in Schools promotional video. The video encourages parents to support their children in getting to school using zero-emission transportation options, such as scootering, biking, and walking. The video was produced in collaboration with celebrated cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz and his team at Pocho Villa Productions.
California ramps up wildfire prevention work; Lake County projects receive grant funds
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the award of $113 million, including $35 million from California Climate Investments, to enhance wildfire defense, protect homes, reduce overgrown vegetation, and improve evacuation routes in the face of the ongoing threat of wildfires. This proactive approach aims to prevent devastation and ensure the safety of Californians while preserving communities and shared history.
The awarded funds are part of CAL FIRE's Wildfire Prevention Grants Program, which is responsible for funding initiatives that bolster community resilience against wildfires. The investment is part of California's broader efforts for wildfire and forest resilience, with a portion of funding sourced from California Climate Investments.
The California Conservation Corps (CCC) prepares young adults for careers in the clean energy field through their Energy Corps program. The California Conservation Corps offers specialized training through its Energy Corps that provides young adults with the skills and training to enter the clean energy sector through a year of hands-on, paid service.
More than just training, Energy Corps members actively complete projects across California, such as energy surveys and lighting retrofits, and collaborate with other agencies to advance the State’s goals of increasing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative not only propels Corps members into careers in the energy sector but also embodies the CCC's mission to cultivate future leaders for sustainable solutions and environmental conservation.
Land trusts announce formal conveyance of Nyland property
A partnership of local community-based organizations in Santa Cruz County with The Trust for Public Land received the funding to permanently conserve the historic Harvey and Gladys Nyland Property along the Central Coast. Funding from the Department of Conservation and California Strategic Growth Council’s Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program, a California Climate Investments program, will protect agriculture and wildlife habitat, a cultural easement for indigenous land stewardship and activities led by the Amah Mutsun Land Trust, and formally convey the property to the San Benito Agricultural Land Trust.
The collaboration aims to preserve the natural health, agricultural heritage, and indigenous history of the property for future generations.
New charging depot can power 32 heavy-duty electric trucks at the same time
Schneider National, one of the largest trucking companies in the US, has unveiled a massive heavy-duty electric vehicle charging station at its South El Monte Operations Center. The newest station houses 16 heavy-duty chargers capable of simultaneously charging 32 battery electric trucks. The station provides 6 megawatts of electricity, which is the amount of energy required to power roughly 200,000 homes. Schneider has acquired 92 battery electric Freightliner eCascadia trucks that travel up to 220 miles on a single charge. A portion of the trucks were funded through the Joint Electric Truck Scaling Initiative (JETSI), a public-private partnership focused on increasing zero-emission heavy-duty trucks in line with California's requirement to phase out the sale of diesel-powered models by 2036.
This initiative aligns with California's broader climate goals and efforts to reduce air pollution from mobile sources, which are a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and poor air quality in the region.
![Mountain View High School VISTA Academy students and staff and Lalo Alcaraz (rear) gathered around a table for audio recording.]](https://mcusercontent.com/7c7ad616674d57b627fb05bf7/images/a50af3f6-bb94-1d88-6970-8a5a1ca907db.jpg)
