Welcome to the California Energy Commission

California Economic Recovery - Energy-Related Programs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Updated July 15, 2009

1. How much money is available?

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) will provide $787 billion in economic investment nationally. The goals of this plan are to jump start the economy and create jobs for Americans in an accountable, transparent, and timely manner. For information on all of the ARRA funds nationally and in California please visit these websites:


2. How much funding could California receive?

California could receive more than $50 billion for a variety of statewide programs including education, health and human services, housing, and infrastructure.

Summary of Energy-Related Funding (PDF file, 5 pages, 200 kb)


3. How much funding will the California Energy Commission receive?

To date, the Energy Commission has been allocated about $275 million for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs that will be administered under two main programs: the State Energy Program and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program.

There is also an estimated $36 billion available nationwide for energy-and climate change-related programs that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will administer through competitive grants and other financing sources. The Energy Commission will coordinate with other state agencies and departments, and other entities to identify ways to leverage these funds.

On July 14, 2009, the DOE announced that California was allocated $35.3 million to support a state-run rebate program for purchases of new Energy Star® appliances. This program will also be administered by the Energy Commission.


4. Has California actually received any funding for the SEP or EECBG Program?

California has received 50 percent of the $226 million for the SEP. After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, the state will receive the remaining funding. Before any solicitations or funds can be released, Guidelines were developed and adopted for the SEP and EECBG Programs. The Energy Commission developed these Guidelines for both programs and held public workshops for input and comment this summer. More information available at [www.energy.ca.gov/recovery/meetings/].


State Energy Program

1. What is the State Energy Program (SEP)?

The State Energy Program provides funding for energy efficiency retrofits of buildings and industrial facilities and supports renewable energy projects and set up activities. The Energy Commission was authorized $226 million to implement programs that will accomplish one or more of the following SEP goals:

  • Increase energy efficiency to reduce energy costs and consumption for consumers, businesses and government.
  • Reduce reliance on imported energy.
  • Improve the reliability of electricity and fuel supply and the delivery of energy services.
  • Reduce the impacts of energy production and use on the environment.

The DOE guidelines for the SEP funds were released March 12, 2009, to the state Energy Offices. The Energy Commission provided an initial application to the DOE on March 23, 2009, with a general overview of non-project specific funding areas. The final application was filed with DOE on May 5, 2009, www.energy.ca.gov/recovery/sep.html and approved on June 25, 2009.


2. When will the Energy Commission SEP Guidelines be available?

The Energy Commission Guidelines for the SEP are available now. Public workshops were held July 28-31, 2009, to discuss the Preliminary Guidelines, the application and eligibility requirements. The adopted Guidelines arte posted on-line www.energy.ca.gov/recovery/sep.html.

Applications for the SEP funding are available on our contracts page!


Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program

1. What is the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG)?

The Energy Block Grants assist local and state government to implement projects and programs that reduce total energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency in buildings and other appropriate sectors. The DOE authorized California $351.5 million on March 26, 2009, with $302 million going directly to large cities and counties. The Energy Commission has been allocated $49.6 million and will make at least 60 percent ($29.7 million) of these funds available to small cities and counties. Small cities are generally cities smaller than 35,000 and small counties are less than 200,000 population. A list of these small cities and counties are available at [www.energy.ca.gov/recovery/blockgrant.html]. The remaining 40 percent funding can be distributed at the Energy Commission's discretion.

The application from the Energy Commission to the DOE was filed May 26, 2009 [www.energy.ca.gov/recovery/blockgrant.html]. Public workshops were held July 14-16, 2009, to discuss the EECBG Preliminary Guidelines. The adopted Guidelines arte posted on-line www.energy.ca.gov/recovery/blockgrant.html.

Interested individuals, companies, and organizations are encouraged to directly contact their local city or county for ways to partner for EECB grant funding to assist local governments in meeting these energy program guidelines and goals.


2. What cities and counties are receiving direct funding from DOE for the EECBG?

Large cities and counties will receive block grant funds directly from the DOE. A listing is available at: www.energy.ca.gov/recovery/documents/2009-03-26_EECBG_CA_Allocations.xls (Excel file). Cities and counties will fund a variety of energy-related programs ranging from improving energy efficiency in buildings to reducing vehicle emissions.


3. I'm a small county and won't be receiving any direct funds from DOE. How will I get my funding?

California has 265 small cities and 44 small counties eligible for Energy Commission EECBG Program funding. The Energy Commission will allocate at least 60 percent of the block grant money on a per capita basis with a minimum of $25,000 for cities and $50,000 for counties. For those local jurisdictions receiving the per capita allocation, there is an unemployment adjustment.


4. How do I make the most of my EECBG Program funding?

As a small city and county, you're used to thinking outside the box to leverage funds to make them go further. Although all energy projects must focus on energy efficiency and be cost-effective, the options are almost limitless when considering the various types of lighting retrofits, building upgrades, mechanical equipment, clean energy systems, and various energy management controls. Cities and counties also may choose to pool their funding allocations and submit a joint grant application. When combined with other funding programs such as electricity, natural gas and/or water utility company rebates or low-interest Energy Conservation Assistance Act loans (1 and 3 percent interest rates) from the Energy Commission, local governments can maximize every dollar and invest in their communities with new energy efficiency projects.

For more information on 1 and 3 Percent Low-Interest Loans to Bundle with EECB Grant and SEP Projects go to: www.energy.ca.gov/efficiency/financing/ or E-mail: pubprog@energy.state.ca.us.


5. As a small city do I have to do a big project with my funds or do I have other options?

Some cities and counties may not have the resources and/or expertise to develop complex energy efficiency projects. In these cases, eligible applicants may choose to use their awards to make a direct purchase of pre-selected energy efficiency measures. This direct purchase option can take advantage of bulk purchase discounts through the State of California or other local jurisdiction-approved vendors, or be a direct purchase from a local distributor or vendor. Check out the Guidelines for eligibility www.energy.ca.gov/recovery/blockgrant.html.


6. An energy efficiency project sounds perfect for my small city. However, I don't have any technical expertise to put one together. What can I do?

The Energy Commission has more than 30 years of experience with energy efficiency projects with local governments, schools, and hospitals. We can assist you in developing an energy efficiency project for your community. We recognize that some local jurisdictions have more experience than others so we have identified some successful energy efficiency projects and case studies from our files www.energy.ca.gov/recovery/casestudies.html. We also have technical consultants that can help identify cost effective energy projects and guide you through the steps from energy audit to application.


7. When will the Energy Commission EECBG Guidelines be available?

The Energy Commission Guidelines for the EECBG Program are available now. Public workshops were held in July to discuss the draft Guidelines, the application and eligibility requirements. The Guidelines are posted online at: www.energy.ca.gov/recovery/blockgrant.html.

Applications for the EECBG funding are available on our contracts page!


Applying for Funding

1. How do I apply directly to DOE for SEP and Block Grants funding?

Only the designated state energy office (California Energy Commission) is eligible to apply to DOE for SEP funds. For California, only the Energy Commission and specified cities and counties (as listed in DOE's Funding Opportunity Announcement) are eligible to apply to DOE for EECBG funds.

The Energy Commission has released funding solicitations for eligible projects. These funding solicitations specify the types of entities are eligible to apply for funding.

Businesses and non-profits organizations may apply directly to the DOE and the U.S Environmental Protection Agency for projects under the competitive energy- and climate change-related programs depending on eligibility requirements established by the federal agency. Information on these energy-related funding opportunities will be made available on www.energy.gov/recovery/ and the federal funding website at www.grants.gov.


2. How do I apply to the Energy Commission for the SEP and Block Grant Program funding?

After the adoption of the Preliminary Guidelines/Regulations, the Energy Commission has released solicitations inviting eligible entities to apply for targeted area funding. These solicitations may be released as Program Opportunity Notices (PONs) for grants and/or Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for contracts. All interested parties are encouraged to sign up to the Energy Commission's e-mail ListServer below to receive automatic e-mail notifications as funding solicitations are released as well as periodically visiting the Recovery website to check out the most current information on the stimulus finding.

Solicitations for the SEP and EECBG funding are available on our contracts page!


3. Where can I find the Guidelines for the SEP and EECBG Programs?

The Energy Commission Guidelines are available from the SEP and EECBG website pages.

Applications for the SEP and EECBG funding are available on our contracts page!


4. I'm a private company with an energy idea that I'd like considered for funding. Where and when do I send my application?

The Energy Commission is not currently soliciting proposals for private projects since efforts are being directed to program development and design for small cities and counties. Several public workshops were held to discuss proposed project concepts and funding areas. Information was sent out by e-mail blasts to the Recovery ListServer or visit the Federal website www.energy.gov/recovery/ for up-to-date information on how to participate.

Interested individuals, companies, and organizations are encouraged to directly contact their local city or county for ways to partner for block grant funding to assist local governments meet these energy program guidelines and goals.

Formal invitations to participate in Energy Commission cost-share opportunity with federal competitive solicitations are being released as Program Opportunity Notices and available on the Energy Commission's funding website at www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/. Funding opportunity notices are also sent out by e-mail blasts to the Recovery ListServer.

Additionally eligible entities can apply directly to the DOE and the U.S Environmental Protection Agency for projects under the competitive energy- and climate change-related programs. Information on these energy-related funding opportunities will be made available on www.energy.gov/recovery/ and the federal funding website at www.grants.gov.


5. Can school districts and community college districts apply directly to DOE for SEP and EECBG funds or do they have to partner with a city, county, or other entity?

Only the designated state energy office (California Energy Commission) is eligible to apply to DOE for SEP funds. For California, only the Energy Commission and specified cities and counties (as listed in DOE's Funding Opportunity Announcement) are eligible to apply to DOE for EECBG funds.

The Energy Commission expects to release one or more funding solicitations for eligible projects. These funding solicitations will specify the types of entities eligible to apply for funding.

Solicitations for the SEP and EECBG funding are available on our contracts page!


6. How can community-based organizations and non-profit groups secure ARRA energy funds?

Community-based organizations and non-profit groups are not eligible to apply to the DOE for direct funding under the SEP or EECBG programs. These organizations must apply to the Energy Commission for funding under these programs.

Applications for the SEP and EECBG funding are available on our contracts page!

Please sign up to the e-mail ListServer below to receive automatic e-mail notifications.


Competitive Funding and Other Programs

1. When are the competitive solicitations available from the federal government?

These solicitations will be released at different times. Our intent is to keep those on our ListServer informed when any new solicitations are available. You can also sign up on the federal government www.grants.gov website.

Sign up for the Energy Commission's e-mail ListServer below. You can also sign up for e-mail alerts by subscription on the federal government grants website www.grants.gov.


2. What is the process for involving private industry for developing proposals for the competitive portions of ARRA?

The competitive federal funding opportunities are expected to cover a wide variety of topic areas and can vary significantly in design and implementation. The Energy Commission is committed to work with interested stakeholders within our state to assist with third-party proposals and potential cost-share contributions (if funding is available).

Formal invitations to participate in Energy Commission cost-share opportunity with federal competitive solicitations are being released as Program Opportunity Notices and available on the Energy Commission's funding website at [www.energy.ca.gov/contracts/]. Funding opportunity notices will be sent out by e-mail blasts to the Recovery ListServer.


3. How is the Energy Commission addressing the municipal district financing programs for the SEP or EECBG funding?

The Energy Commission has released the Guidelines for both the SEP and EECBG programs. Infomration about different types of programs are discussed in those guidelines. Guidelines are available at [www.energy.ca.gov/recovery/documents/].


Administrative Issues

1. Will projects be funded on a reimbursement basis or some other basis?

The Energy Commission expects that SEP project costs will be reimbursed after the expense has been incurred by the funding recipient.


2. How will the Energy Commission involve workforce interests in its funding programs?

One of the goals and metrics under ARRA is creating and retaining jobs. The Energy Commission expects to use this as one of the selection criteria in the evaluation of projects funded under these programs.


3. How can local government without staffing and funding obtain resources and assistance to develop proposals for accessing federal ARRA funding?

Currently the Energy Commission is working with organizations such as the League of California Cities and the California State Association of Counties to see how to best support the efforts of many smaller counties and cities that do not have the resources or experience to apply for funding.


Schedule

1. What's the Energy Commission's schedule for awarding the funds?

Keeping with the spirit of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the Energy Commission is striving to award funds expeditiously. The DOE requires that SEP funds be awarded no later than September 30, 2010. The EECBG funds should be awarded within 18 months of the Energy Commission's grant award.


2. When are the Public Workshops?

The Energy Commission held public workshops this summer in various cities to discuss the Preliminary Guidelines for the SEP and EECBG Programs. Information was made available by e-mail blasts to the Recovery ListServer. Documents and presentaitons from those meetings are on the website at: [www.energy.ca.gov/recovery/meetings/]

For More Information

ARRA funding information:
www.energy.ca.gov/recovery/
Sign up below on our Recovery ListServe for updates and notices.

EECBG Guidelines/Application and Information
www.energy.ca.gov/recovery/blockgrant.html

SEP Guidelines/Application and Information
www.energy.ca.gov/recovery/sep.html

Find Electricity, Natural Gas, and Water Utility Rebates and Incentives
Flex Your Power website at www.fypower.org

Success Stories - Case Studies of Locals Governments, Schools and Hospitals
www.energy.ca.gov/recovery/casestudies.html

Low-Interest Loans to Bundle with EECB Grant and SEP Projects
www.energy.ca.gov/efficiency/financing/
E-mail: pubprog@energy.state.ca.us

Questions? Contact Us
www.energy.ca.gov/recovery/contactus.html



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