CPUC accepting applications for equity, access grant program
On Friday, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced it was accepting applications for $30 million in Equity and Access grants.
The Equity and Access grant program aims to provide tribes and community-based organizations with grants that will engage them in CPUC processes promote clean energy programs. In this first round of funding, applicants can apply in two grant categories – a public participation grant that removes financial and public participation barriers by providing up to $15,000 for engagement activities like working groups, panels or focus groups; and an equity, engagement and education grant that will provide up to $200,000 for projects that educate consumers or reach underserved communities on ways to understand and engage with CPUC.
CPUC announced the program in July.
“The launch of this innovative grant program provides broad pathways for California Tribes and community-based organizations to engage in our work and directly improve the lives of customers in under-represented communities” CPUC President Alice Reynolds said at the time.
The California Legislature funded the program in 2022 as part of the Budget Act of 2022. The initial grants will provide $3.1 million for public participation grants and $9.75 million for equity, engagement and education grants.
A third category of grants, the Clean Energy Access Grant Account, will award grants up to $500,000 for work addressing the CPUC Microgrid Incentive Program (MIP), Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP), and the Technology and Equipment for Clean Heating Initiative (TCH) Program that will open up for applications in the late fall or early 2024. Those programs will award up to $15.65 million that will address access to or education about customer programs.
