Clean Energy Access: LA County TECH Grant: Round 2

The Clean Energy Access: LA County TECH (CEA-LAT) Grant is administered through the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) under its Equity and Access (E&A) Grant Program. Rooted in the CPUC’s commitment to environmental and social justice, the E&A Program seeks to address long-standing inequities impacting low-income and disadvantaged communities in California, particularly communities of color. These communities often experience higher pollution burdens, greater health risks, and limited access to clean, affordable energy and transportation services. The E&A Program aims to increase participation in regulatory proceedings and expand access to clean energy programs. The CEA-LAT Grant is part of a broader effort funded by the Aliso Canyon Recovery Account as appropriated in the Budget Act of 2024 (AB 157) and implemented through Resolution M-4875. The CEA-LAT Grant provides funding to community-based organizations (CBOs) within Los Angeles County to conduct education and outreach about the benefits of building decarbonization, electrification technologies, healthy homes, and related public health impacts. The program specifically seeks to facilitate access to the Technology for Equipment and Clean Heating (TECH) Clean California Initiative. TECH Clean CA is a state-funded initiative designed to accelerate the adoption of clean, energy-efficient heat pump technology for space and water heating in residential settings. It offers market incentives and training resources, particularly for contractors and customers in underserved communities. Priority for funding will be given to projects serving the Aliso Canyon Disaster Area and the San Fernando Valley. Each grant award under the CEA-LAT program may be up to $200,000, with a total of $1.9 million allocated for this funding cycle. Projects must be non-construction in nature and instead focus on awareness-building, capacity-building, and direct assistance for navigating TECH Clean CA program enrollment. Allowable activities include hosting educational workshops, multilingual outreach, staff training, evaluating outreach impact, and providing logistical and technical assistance to community members navigating the TECH incentive process. Additionally, CBOs are encouraged to collaborate directly with the TECH Initiative implementer, Energy Solutions, to ensure accurate information delivery and program coordination. Equipment purchases and infrastructure projects are not eligible for funding under this grant. Eligible applicants are limited to California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that are not operated by or fiscally sponsored by local governments. The geographic focus is strictly limited to Los Angeles County, with heightened priority given to efforts targeting the communities most affected by the Aliso Canyon gas leak and its aftermath. These include areas such as Porter Ranch, Granada Hills, Northridge, and surrounding neighborhoods. Projects must clearly define and quantify the communities they intend to serve, outline specific goals, and provide methods for evaluating progress, including both qualitative and quantitative impact metrics. Applications for Cycle 2 of the CEA-LAT Grant open on February 2, 2026, and close on March 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Successful applicants will be notified of awards by June 1, 2026. All projects must be completed by April 1, 2030, to allow for state invoice processing prior to the final liquidation deadline of June 30, 2030. Grants under $150,000 may be awarded ministerially by CPUC staff, while larger awards are subject to a Commission resolution approval process that may last two to three months. Required submission materials include a signed application coversheet, proof of 501(c)(3) status, a project narrative, a detailed workplan and budget table, and two letters of support. These components must adhere to specified formatting requirements and must be submitted via email or post by the deadline. The CEA-LAT Grant will be awarded through a competitive process using a structured scoring rubric. The project narrative carries up to 65 points and must address five key areas: executive summary, organizational qualifications, project need, outreach strategy, and evaluation plan. Supporting documents including a workplan, budget, and letters of support account for an additional 35 points. Applications will be reviewed for alignment with the TECH initiative, clarity of goals, cultural and linguistic relevance, ability to measure impact, and experience in outreach and education. Reporting is required semi-annually throughout the project period, and grantees may be asked to participate in informal monthly check-ins with CPUC staff.

Focus on quantifiable metrics and alignment with TECH Clean CA eligibility and impact goals