Stay Informed
DOE Launches Energy Future Grants Program to Benefit Disadvantaged Communities
$27 million in funding is available through Energy Future Grants to encourage partnerships between local, tribal, and state governments that result in ideas that will benefit disadvantaged communities. These funds should be used to help low–income and disadvantaged communities achieve greater energy efficiency. Visit the Department of Energy’s website to read the full press release and find additional resources.
Federal Initiatives Resulted in Massive Job Growth in the Energy Industry
According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2023 U.S. Energy and Employment Report, nearly 300,000 new energy jobs were created in 2022, partly due to the Biden administration’s Investing in America agenda. Steady job growth is expected to continue as the nation builds more resilient and efficient energy systems, which could result in projects that lower consumer utility bills. Read the full article from Forbes to learn more.
Efficiency is the Key to Solving California’s Energy Challenges
A report from the California Council on Science & Technology states investing in energy-efficient technologies “will pay dividends in the form of energy cost savings over the long run.” To accomplish energy initiatives effectively, state, local, and regional agencies must work together and prioritize environmental justice and equity. Keep reading to learn what other insights are included the report.
Biden Administration’s Investing in America Agenda Will Help California
Since 2022, the Department of Energy (DOE) has provided more than $250 million to California state and local governments as part of the Biden administration’s Investing in America Agenda. Some of these funds have gone towards advancing equity through the Justice40 Initiative, including projects that improve energy efficiency and resiliency. Visit DOE’s website to learn about recent developments in the state.
Successful State Energy Program Attracts Investments and Creates Jobs
The California Energy Commission’s Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) initial $1.1 billion investment has resulted in a tenfold return on investment. EPIC funding awardees have earned more than $10.5 billion in additional funding from investors to advance technologies that address environmental sustainability, reliability and affordability of the electric system. Visit the Energy Commission’s website to learn about EPIC’s success.
Proposed California Electricity Rate Redesign Centers Equity
Legislation passed in 2022 requires the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to develop income-graduated fixed charges (IGFCs) for residential electricity bills by 2025. Rebalancing rates through IGFCs will alleviate some of the burden customers in households navigating low incomes bear related to funding utility operations. Coupled with reduced volumetric rates, these changes will more fairly fund the state’s energy and climate policies. Keep reading to better understand CPUC’s proposed rate reform.
Biden Administration Announces Creation of White House Office of Environmental Justice
To help mitigate the negative impact federal agencies have on the environment, President Biden signed an executive order to set up a new Office of Environmental Justice. The office will hold federal agencies responsible for harmful environmental health impacts on communities and work with them to prevent future harm. Discover what other environmental justice initiatives were announced.
U.S. Department of Energy making strides towards more equitable energy policies
The Justice40 and Equity in Energy initiatives guide the development of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) policies addressing the historical negligence of disadvantaged, disinvested and environmental justice communities. Learn how DOE’s energy justice division is paying special attention to how the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act can benefit underserved communities equitably.
California tribal governments set to make infrastructure improvements with support from state agencies
A California Energy Commission resolution commits the agency to supporting tribal governments throughout the state in modernizing critical infrastructure and achieving energy sovereignty. The agency, along with the California Public Utilities Commission, will work with tribes to secure Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) funding from the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act. Read the details of California Energy Commission’s commitment to action.
Tribal communities can apply for DOE funds to strengthen energy security
New funding is available to tribal nations pursuing energy conservation solutions from the Department of Energy (DOE). In an effort to support a more equitable future for tribal nations, DOE has reserved $50 million to fund projects that lower energy costs and strengthen energy security and resiliency. Visit the Energy Funding Opportunity Exchange to learn more about this announcement.
Additional Resources
Stay Informed
Additional Resources
DOE Launches Energy Future Grants Program to Benefit Disadvantaged Communities
$27 million in funding is available through Energy Future Grants to encourage partnerships between local, tribal, and state governments that result in ideas that will benefit disadvantaged communities. These funds should be used to help low–income and disadvantaged communities achieve greater energy efficiency. Visit the Department of Energy’s website to read the full press release and find additional resources.
Federal Initiatives Resulted in Massive Job Growth in the Energy Industry
According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2023 U.S. Energy and Employment Report, nearly 300,000 new energy jobs were created in 2022, partly due to the Biden administration’s Investing in America agenda. Steady job growth is expected to continue as the nation builds more resilient and efficient energy systems, which could result in projects that lower consumer utility bills. Read the full article from Forbes to learn more.
Efficiency is the Key to Solving California’s Energy Challenges
A report from the California Council on Science & Technology states investing in energy-efficient technologies “will pay dividends in the form of energy cost savings over the long run.” To accomplish energy initiatives effectively, state, local, and regional agencies must work together and prioritize environmental justice and equity. Keep reading to learn what other insights are included the report.
Biden Administration’s Investing in America Agenda Will Help California
Since 2022, the Department of Energy (DOE) has provided more than $250 million to California state and local governments as part of the Biden administration’s Investing in America Agenda. Some of these funds have gone towards advancing equity through the Justice40 Initiative, including projects that improve energy efficiency and resiliency. Visit DOE’s website to learn about recent developments in the state.
Successful State Energy Program Attracts Investments and Creates Jobs
The California Energy Commission’s Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) initial $1.1 billion investment has resulted in a tenfold return on investment. EPIC funding awardees have earned more than $10.5 billion in additional funding from investors to advance technologies that address environmental sustainability, reliability and affordability of the electric system. Visit the Energy Commission’s website to learn about EPIC’s success.
Proposed California Electricity Rate Redesign Centers Equity
Legislation passed in 2022 requires the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to develop income-graduated fixed charges (IGFCs) for residential electricity bills by 2025. Rebalancing rates through IGFCs will alleviate some of the burden customers in households navigating low incomes bear related to funding utility operations. Coupled with reduced volumetric rates, these changes will more fairly fund the state’s energy and climate policies. Keep reading to better understand CPUC’s proposed rate reform.
Biden Administration Announces Creation of White House Office of Environmental Justice
To help mitigate the negative impact federal agencies have on the environment, President Biden signed an executive order to set up a new Office of Environmental Justice. The office will hold federal agencies responsible for harmful environmental health impacts on communities and work with them to prevent future harm. Discover what other environmental justice initiatives were announced.
U.S. Department of Energy making strides towards more equitable energy policies
The Justice40 and Equity in Energy initiatives guide the development of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) policies addressing the historical negligence of disadvantaged, disinvested and environmental justice communities. Learn how DOE’s energy justice division is paying special attention to how the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act can benefit underserved communities equitably.
California tribal governments set to make infrastructure improvements with support from state agencies
A California Energy Commission resolution commits the agency to supporting tribal governments throughout the state in modernizing critical infrastructure and achieving energy sovereignty. The agency, along with the California Public Utilities Commission, will work with tribes to secure Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) funding from the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act. Read the details of California Energy Commission’s commitment to action.
Tribal communities can apply for DOE funds to strengthen energy security
New funding is available to tribal nations pursuing energy conservation solutions from the Department of Energy (DOE). In an effort to support a more equitable future for tribal nations, DOE has reserved $50 million to fund projects that lower energy costs and strengthen energy security and resiliency. Visit the Energy Funding Opportunity Exchange to learn more about this announcement.
