GFO-23-312r2 – Round 2 Community Energy Reliability and Resilience Investment (CERRI) Program

The Community Energy Reliability and Resilience Investment (CERRI) Program, administered by the California Energy Commission (CEC), is a state-level initiative designed to enhance the resilience and reliability of California’s electric grid. The program is funded through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), specifically Section 40101(d), which allocates formula-based funding to states and tribes for grid-hardening projects. The CERRI Program aims to mitigate the effects of wildfires, extreme weather, and other natural disasters by supporting infrastructure improvements and related activities that bolster the electric grid’s performance and durability. The objective of this grant funding opportunity (GFO-23-312r2) is to fund competitive projects that reduce the frequency, duration, and magnitude of power outages across California. Eligible activities include deploying weatherization technologies, fire-resistant systems, undergrounding electrical equipment, managing utility poles and vegetation, and constructing microgrid subcomponents and battery storage systems. Projects must be located in California and serve existing electric customers. Each application can include up to three geographically distinct subprojects. Eligible applicants include a wide range of electric and energy-related operators, such as electric grid operators, storage and generation operators, distribution providers, transmission owners, and fuel suppliers. Entities not explicitly listed may still qualify by submitting an Eligibility Request Form with documentation of recent electricity sales. Applicants must fall into one of two groups based on annual electricity sales—Group 1 for large entities (more than 4,000 GWh/year) and Group 2 for small entities (4,000 GWh/year or less)—and adhere to specific funding limits and matching requirements based on their group. The funding available totals approximately $51.87 million, with a maximum award of $20.75 million for Group 1 and $10.37 million for Group 2. Group 1 entities must provide at least 115 percent in match funding, while Group 2 must provide a minimum of 33.33 percent. Applications must be submitted via the Energy Commission Agreement Management System (ECAMS) by August 29, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Pre-application workshops and multiple “how-to” sessions are scheduled starting from May 21, 2025, with deadlines for technical assistance and question submissions outlined in the solicitation manual. Applications must include several required attachments, including project narrative, scope of work, budget forms, environmental compliance documents, commitment letters, and project metrics. Evaluation will be conducted in two stages: screening and scoring, with a minimum passing score of 91 out of 130 points required for funding consideration. Projects located in priority communities may receive additional preference points. Award notices are anticipated in Q1 2026, with project agreements beginning the same quarter and funds required to be liquidated by April 30, 2032. Contact information for administrative, technical, and submission support includes Laura Williams (laura.williams@energy.ca.gov, 916-879-1383) for administrative queries and cerri@energy.ca.gov for technical and general questions. Application guidance, including formatting instructions and required forms, is provided in the solicitation, with additional resources available through the CERRI Program webpage.