One Large Step for California

At the beginning of this month, California took a large, unprecedented step in the right direction with the launch of Energy Upgrade California. The new, comprehensive energy efficiency program not only encourages clean jobs, but it also provides tools and resources to property owners who wish to improve their energy and water efficiency—ultimately saving money and increasing comfort.
 
"Consumers can put more money in their pockets by investing in the long-term benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy property improvements," says Robert Weisenmiller, Ph.D., chair of the Energy Commission.
 
A large part of the project is the Energy Upgrade Web portal, which serves as a one-stop-shop for residents wanting information. Using the portal, property owners can enter their zip code (or county name, as all of the state’s 58 counties have their own page highlighting the services and energy efficiency opportunities available to its residents) to learn about available upgrade programs, rebates, financing options and participating contractors available to them. Currently, the program is available for single-family detached homes, and multifamily properties are soon to be phased in.
 
The program is a collaboration between the California Energy Commission, the Public Utilities Commission, utilities, local governments, non-governmental organizations, and private sectors. And when all said and done, more than $1.2 billion from a variety of funding sources will be leveraged through Energy Upgrade California including $146 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) State Energy Program and Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grants awards administered by the Energy Commission, $13 million from Employment Development Department Workforce Investment and more than $1 billion from investor-owned utilities for residential and commercial building upgrades.
 
It almost goes without saying; however, it makes us here at Home Energy proud to be Californians.

For a related discussion on Energy Upgrade California, join the Energy Upgrade group on Home Energy Pros.