Clean Energy Future

Community Emission Reduction Grants Program

Do you believe in the art of the possible? We do! If you have an innovative idea for a project that can help reduce emissions in your community, apply for a Community Emission Reduction Grant to bring that project to life.

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The 2024 Community Emission Reduction Grants Program re-opening will be announced soon.

 

As we transition to a clean energy future, environmental justice is among our top priorities. To that end, LADWP is investing $20 million in grants for local projects that help reduce emissions in the L.A. communities hardest hit by pollution sources, such as refineries and truck traffic. Over the course of six years, from 2020 – 2026, LADWP is providing grants ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 to help fund innovative projects that reduce emissions in the Harbor and Northeast San Fernando Valley communities, located in Council Districts 2, 6, 7 and 15. Our local Harbor and Valley communities are disproportionately burdened by multiple pollution sources, such as refineries and truck traffic, and are ranked high in the CalEnviroScreen mapping program.

Grants are awarded on a competitive basis to the organizations that can present a dynamic proposal for projects in the categories of interest (listed below) benefiting Council District 2, 6, 7, or 15. Start-up costs can be up to 15 percent of the project.

Program Background

This program is LADWP’s response to Motion 18A which calls for a local version of Transformative Climate Community and is modeled after the California Strategic Growth Council’s Transformative Climate Community program. Funding is provided from the proceeds from the sale of California Air Resources Board’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) credits and the California Carbon Allowances.

Eligibility Guidelines

Applicants must be a 501(c)3 non-profit organization (in good standing), with a minimum of three years of service in the City of Los Angeles; or a public or regulatory agency.

  • Propose a project to benefit Council District 2, 6, 7, or 15.
  • Provide services to the community in the areas of: education, energy, water or economic issues.
  • Have the capacity to provide comprehensive quantitative reporting, and maintain records suitable for a City financial audit. Metrics must include: number of constituents reached and referred, labor costs, expenditures, etc.
  • Propose a project that provides greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions, and fulfills either the funding requirements of CARB’s Cap-and-Trade program or LCFS program.
  • Start-up costs can be up to 15% of the project.
  • 1% of the total costs for the project can be used for educational programs.
  • If a previously selected grantee would like to apply for the program again, they must partner and jointly apply with an eligible non-profit organization who has not been selected previously. The other non-profit organization must be the lead of the grant program, and the previously selected grantee must be the secondary applicant.
  • A detailed criteria for the program can be found here

How to Apply

The 2024 Community Emission Reduction Grants Program re-opening will be announced soon.

 

View the video below to learn more about the program. 

Project Categories of Interest

Projects allowed under the Cap-and-Trade regulation:

  • Renewable Energy or Integration of Renewable Energy
  • Energy Efficiency and Fuel-Switching
    • Switching from natural gas, propane, or diesel to electric equipment
    • Energy-efficient equipment rebates or building retrofits
    • Infrastructure projects including electric vehicle charging infrastructure
    • Other projects supporting active transportation, zero-emission vehicles, or public transportation

Projects allowed under the LCFS regulation include projects that directly benefit current or future electric vehicle customers.

For more information about projects allowed by CARB’s Cap-and-Trade program, please see “(d)(3) Limitations on the Use of Auction Proceeds and Allowance Value” on pages 201-204 at the link to the regulation here. For more information about projects allowed by CARB’s LCFS program, please see “Specific Quarterly Reporting Parameters for Electricity used as a Transportation Fuel” on page 196 at the link to the regulation here.

2021 Past Projects and Awardees

  • Climate Resolve – Cool Roofs and Solar Arrays Project. Climate Resolve is installing cool roofs and solar panels for eligible residents in Council District (CD) 15.
  • Discovery Cube – Solar and EV Charging Project. Discovery Cube is installing solar shade structures and parking lot solar panels, as well as, doing electric vehicle (EV) improvements.
  • Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC) – E-Bikes for Businesses Project. LACBC is purchasing e-bikes for a community ride-share e-bike program.
  • Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) – Electrification Project. LACCD is electrifying boiler equipment and landscape tools, and investing in outreach and education for energy efficiency measures.
  • Los Angeles County Internal Services Department (ISD) – EV Charging Station Project. ISD is installing EV chargers in their parking lots.
  • ONEgeneration – Education, Outreach and Electrification Project. ONEgeneration is helping community members sign up for EVs and energy-efficient infrastructure.
  • Pacoima Beautiful – Electro Bici Program. Pacoima Beautiful is implementing an e-bike program for Pacoima residents.
  • Toberman Neighborhood Center – Solar, Batteries & EVs Project. Toberman is installing a solar system carport, battery energy storage, and EV charging stations.
  • U.S. Green Building Council Los Angeles (USGBC-LA) – Green Affordable Housing Project. USGBC is doing community outreach for EVs and installing EV chargers for residents.

2023 Past Projects and Awardees

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