The CERI Program will invest in projects that:
- Reduce the frequency and duration of power outages for communities across California and strengthen communities’ ability to function during power outages.
- Ensure that the benefits of clean, safe, affordable, and reliable energy are shared by all, particularly those in disadvantaged communities (DACs) and communities with critical energy resilience needs.
- advance California's energy and climate goals.
- Create high-quality jobs with strong labor standards and protections that attract and train a skilled workforce for durable careers in the growing clean energy industry.
The CEC is collaborating with relevant stakeholders to develop program objectives, criteria, and metrics to ensure successful outcomes and maximize the impact of CERI Program investments.
- The DOE extended the State application deadline for Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) 40101(d) formula funds to May 31, 2023. The CEC submitted its application for the 40101(d)-funding opportunity on April 4, 2023. The CEC proposed the CERI Program to DOE in alignment with the information presented in the August 11, 2022 Public Workshop.
- The DOE approved the CEC’s application on June 21, 2023 and awarded the CEC funding for its Year One ($33,788,376) and Year Two ($33,708,915) allocations (total of $67,497,291).
- The CEC hosted a staff workshop open to the public on September 12, 2023 that was designed to elicit feedback on the CERI program's development and proposed criteria
- The CERI Program anticipates releasing a draft Grant Funding Opportunity (GFO) for comment in fourth quarter 2023.
Application Forms and Waivers
Eligibility Request Form:
The CERI Program will accept applications from the following eligible entities.
- electric grid operators
- electricity storage operators
- electricity generators
- transmission owners or operators
- distribution providers
- fuel suppliers
- any other relevant entity, as determined by the Secretary of Energy and CEC prior to the application deadline of the solicitation to which the proposal is submitted.
Entities that are not eligible based on this list may request approval through the Energy Commission by filling out the Eligibility Request Form and emailing it to the CEC at ceri@energy.ca.gov. The CEC and U.S. Secretary of Energy will consider the request for approval.
Performance of Foreign Work Waiver:
Applicants that seek to include foreign entity participation or foreign work in a CERI funded project must submit a written Foreign Entity Participation Waiver and Foreign Work Waiver request(s). This request should be sent to the CEC at ceri@energy.ca.gov before the application deadline specified in the solicitation to which the proposal will be submitted.
Please consult the DOE’s Performance of Foreign Work in the United States Guidance for further information on submitting a waiver request.
Build America Buy America Waiver:
Applicants that seek to waive the Build America Buy America Requirements in a CERI funded project must submit a written Buy America Waiver request(s). This request should be sent to the CEC at ceri@energy.ca.gov before the application deadline specified in the solicitation to which the proposal will be submitted.
Please consult the DOE’s Buy America Requirement Waiver Request Guidance for further information on submitting a waiver request.
Terms and Conditions:
Each grant agreement resulting from this solicitation will include terms and conditions that set forth the recipient’s rights and responsibilities. Applicants must agree to all final terms and conditions to receive CEC funds. Be aware that the terms and conditions included in this solicitation are subject to change based on, in addition to other potential reasons, modifications to federal program requirements or terms and conditions by the U.S. Department of Energy, feedback and guidance the Energy Commission receives from the U.S. Department of Energy, and any project specific special terms and conditions the Energy Commission deems appropriate for a particular award.
Utility Sales Reference Data
Eligible applicants will fall in one of two groups as determined by their electricity sales the prior year. Use the Utility Sales Reference Data generated from the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s 2022 Annual Electricity Power Report (EIA-861) to determine the appropriate group. Eligible applicants may use other data sources if they are public and referenced on the Application Form, Attachment 01.
- Group 1: Large entities that sell more than 4,000GWh/year; and
- Group 2: Small entities that sell less than 4,000GWh/year.
Project Management Templates and Instructions
Once awarded, grant recipients will fill out and submit the below templates periodically, as determined by their designated due dates:
- Quarterly Progress Report Template
- Quarterly Progress Report Instructions
- Annual Project Metrics and Impact Report Template
- Annual Project Metrics and Impact Report Instructions
Workshops
- U.S. Department of Energy, Grid Deployment Office: Grid Resilience State/Tribal Formula Grant Program
- The White House, Fact Sheet: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal
- U.S. Department of Energy Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Section 40101(d)
- National Energy Technology Laboratory: Section 40101(D) Formula Grants to States & Indian Tribes