Pacific Gas and Electric proposes pilot for California universities to reduce emissions
Teasing a potential collaboration with the University of California and California State University systems, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) last week proposed a new clean energy pilot program to help academia reduce its greenhouse gas emissions through incentives.
Under the Clean Energy Optimization Pilot (CEOP), universities would earn incentives based on their greenhouse gas reductions. Money for this would be pulled from the approximately $50 million of unspent, unallocated greenhouse gas auction revenues over four years. According to its filing with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), PG&E stated this funding would stem from the state’s Cap-and-Trade Program rather than from customer rates.
The Cap-and-Trade Program creates a declining limit on major sources of emissions throughout the state, offering incentives for significant investment in cleaner and more efficient technologies.
“Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is one of the most critical and impactful steps an organization can take to reduce its environmental impact,” Aaron August, PG&E vice president of business development and customer engagement, said. “Innovative and collaborative programs like the Clean Energy Optimization Pilot are essential to the future of a clean California, and PG&E is proud to collaborate with California universities on this exciting proposal.”
Incentive-eligible revamps for the universities could include energy efficient retrofits for buildings, new and more efficient construction efforts, investments in on-site renewable energy sources, and installing electric electric vehicle charging stations or electrifying universities’ vehicle fleets.
A program like this is already in operation for Southern California Edison in its service area and has proven a successful pairing with UC and CSU campuses. PG&E has also considered expanding the program to similarly situated customers in the future.
For this, the program would first require approval from CPUC. However, if greenlit, it could begin as early as 2023 and run for four years.
